1st blood
The night settled heavy and silent around the campsite, the river's gentle rush a soft hum in the background. The fire had died down to glowing coals, painting the tent walls in a soft orange hue. Inside, the five friends slept closely packed in their green canvas shelter, unaware of the danger slowly creeping toward them—both from man's mistake and nature's law.
Near the firepit, barely a meter away, sat a red petrol can, half full. Its cap, poorly secured, trembled with every push of the breeze. A strong gust came through the trees, shaking branches and leaves overhead.
CLUNK.
The petrol box toppled onto its side with a soft, hollow thud. The cap rolled away, bouncing into the bushes.
A thin stream of petrol began seeping into the dirt. It slithered like a dark snake, inching toward the tent. Unseen, it crept beneath the canvas flap, forming a slick trail beneath Harley's bedding.
The firepit crackled again. Though mostly ash, a few glowing coals sparked under the breath of the wind.
Meanwhile, behind the camp, golden eyes blinked from the bushes.
A lion crouched low in the leaves.
Starving. Alert. Hunting.
Drawn to the scent of charred fish and rabbit skin, it padded forward silently. The moonlight touched its fur, casting long shadows as it moved closer. Its breath came in quiet puffs as it reached the firepit.
The fried pan still sat near the embers.
The lion sniffed the metal, then licked it—slow, hungry, savoring the flavor. Its paw nudged a spoon, causing a small metallic clink.
That sound, soft as it was, stirred the tent's stillness.
Inside, Harley stirred.
The motion light inside his corner of the tent flickered on—a soft blue glow illuminating the canvas like a weak lantern.
Startled by the light, the lion flinched. Its body tensed.
It bolted, vanishing into the shadows, vanishing into the dark brush it came from.
Harley blinked awake, still half-dreaming. His nose twitched.
What's that smell?
He sat up, rubbing his eyes. It smelled sharp—chemical. Something wrong.
He unzipped the tent flap quietly and stepped outside, barefoot.
The wind had picked up, rushing through the tall grass and leaves. The firepit was glowing faintly.
Then he saw it—
The petrol can, fallen.
Harley walked over, frowning, picking it up. "Damn," he muttered, screwing the cap back on tightly.
But as he set it upright, he noticed something worse—the trail of spilled petrol that led toward the tent.
His brows furrowed. "Shit," he whispered.
Then—
WHOOOSH!
Another gust of wind blew straight into the firepit.
A coal leapt from the pit.
It landed just a few inches from the fuel-soaked path.
The petrol ignited.
In an instant, flames shot out, roaring to life with a harsh hiss.
The fire raced across the ground, following the petrol line like a demon awakened. It reached Harley's feet before he could even react.
His leg exploded into flame. The fire climbed up his jeans, licking through the fabric and reaching his torso.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!" Harley screamed, stumbling backward.
The tent flapped wildly behind him. His shirt caught fire next.
Inside, the others woke to the blood-curdling scream.
"Harley?!" Jai leapt up.
"What's happening?!" Rita cried, fumbling with the zipper.
Outside, Harley was rolling on the ground, trying to smother the fire. His screams were raw and pained, echoing through the trees.
Jai burst out first, followed by Ravi, Swathi, and Rita. Their eyes widened in horror at the sight of Harley half-covered in flame.
"GET WATER!" Jai shouted. "Blankets! DIRT! NOW!"
Ravi dumped sand over him. Swathi used a water bottle. Rita pulled off her shawl and helped smother the flames.
After a panicked minute, the fire was out.
Harley lay gasping, moaning. His right side was scorched, skin red and blistering, his breath ragged. His face was pale with shock.
"Hospital," Jai said. "We need to get him to a hospital. Now!"
He ran to the jeep and threw the driver door open. He turned the key—
Click-click.
The engine sputtered.
"Come on—!"
Low fuel warning blinked red on the dash.
Jai jumped out and ran to check the petrol tank.
Empty.
The can near the fire… the spill…
"All of it's gone," he muttered.
"I'll go find help," he said, turning to the others. "Me and Rita—we'll run to the road."
Rita nodded immediately. "Let's go!"
"Swathi, try calling someone!" Jai shouted.
Swathi ran into her tent, fumbling with her phone.
No network.
She climbed onto her bag, holding the phone high in the air. "Come on, come on…"
Outside, Ravi crouched beside Harley, trying to keep him conscious.
Then…
A sound from the trees.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Ravi looked up. He froze.
Two golden eyes blinked in the distance.
Slow. Unblinking. Watching.
The lion had returned.
It stepped forward slowly—massive, deliberate, silent as death.
Ravi's breath caught.
"Swathi!" he shouted. "Get out here now!"
The lion stepped out of the brush fully, revealing its size. It was massive. Hunger burned in its eyes. It was no longer curious. It was ready to take.
Ravi tried to pull Harley back toward the tent, but Harley was weak—barely breathing.
"Come on, man. Move—"
A flash of movement.
A roar.
The lion lunged forward and grabbed Harley by the shoulder in its powerful jaws.
"NOOO!!" Ravi screamed, punching, kicking—but it was no use.
The lion dragged Harley across the dirt, into the bushes, Harley screaming, crying out with what voice he had left.
"JAAAIII! SWATHI!!"
"RAVIII!!" Swathi ran out, too late.
Leaves rustled. Then silence.
The forest swallowed them.
Harley was gone.