Chapter 3
Kayla
What the hell was that? One second, I’m going to chew that person out for running into me, and the next second, I’m met with curly red hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever freaking seen.
I scrunch my nose at the thought of acting like a blubbering idiot and rush the rest of the way to the check-in building.
I just have to show the front desk my paperwork before they come hunt my camper down again.
I know I shouldn’t have just parked, but there were so many people in line.
I needed to make sure I had my spot away from everyone.
My spot is so far back from the other campers that hopefully they will leave me the hell alone for the entire week I’m here.
I slap my paperwork on the desk, wait for her to nod me along, and then head back to my camper.
There are already people hooting and hollering through the trees where the main campsite is.
I didn’t realize there would be a fucking retreat this week.
I came up here for quiet stalking… and maybe a little hunting on the side.
Now there are so many people that I’m not sure what the hell I’m going to do.
My secluded area brings me a sense of joy as I round the corner to my front door. No one is out this far, which means I should be able to find a good spot deep in the woods to set up my stripping station.
I gather my gear and head for the woods.
The woods swallow the campground noise the deeper I go. Laughter from the kids at the campsite fades behind me until all that’s left is the soft crunch of leaves beneath my boots. The air out here smells damp and earthy, thick with the pine trees that surround the area.
It’s darker here than it should be for this time of day.
The canopy of leaves above mushes together to filter the sunlight just barely through them.
Thin strips of sunlight hit the ground as I walk deeper.
I step carefully over a cluster of exposed roots, scanning the trees as I move deeper in.
I check over my shoulder to make sure no one is following me, and when the coast is clear, I continue deeper until I find the perfect spot.
Two sturdy trees stand about six feet apart, their trunks thick and straight. Strong enough to hold weight. Close enough that I can work between them.
I lay my duffel bag down underneath one and set up the portable table that I have for just this trip. I buy a new one every year. Don’t want any evidence of someone’s blood lingering around.
I meticulously lay out my tools one by one.
Making sure each item is carefully placed before grabbing the rope from my bag.
Its thick braided strands scrape against my skin as I hoist it over a thick branch above me and tie it tight, hanging my weight on it slightly to test its limits. Nothing waivers. Good. This will do.
I step back and check my work. My rope is in place. My table is set up, and my tools are laid out. Now to find an unwilling victim.
It’s only about a ten-minute walk to my work area as I make my way back to my camper. The sun is slowly falling behind the trees, making this area particularly dark. I can barely see in front of me. But I know this path.
I grab a pack of meat from the fridge and start up my gas grill, waiting for it to heat up.
Once the meat is seared and ready to eat, I plate it and take a seat on my bench by the window.
I can see the faint glow of a bonfire through the trees, and I can hear the laughter from the people surrounding it.
I don’t envy them. I don’t want to be surrounded by that many people.
I’m just finishing my last bite of food when a loud pounding comes from my door. I tense mid-step to the trash can. Who the hell could that be?
I throw my plate in the trash can and swing open the door wide. Fully prepared to chew someone out for banging that loudly, when my eyes fall on a small child. Her hair is in pigtails, and the smile she has plastered on her face is a little unnerving. I clear my throat. “Umm, hi.”
“Would you like to come to the bonfire? Mama says that everyone deserves to have fun tonight, and you look like you’re all alone. I don’t want you to be alone.” She reaches into my camper and grabs me by the hand. “Come on. It will be fun! I pinky promise.”
I barely register what is happening when I nearly fall out of my own damn camper as this little kid drags me toward the fire.
“There you are!” A woman in her mid-thirties comes barreling around the corner. She looks between me and the kid and sees where our hands meet, and I try to let go. But this child won't release me.
“Uhh,” I mumble.
“Mommy, I made a new friend. She is coming to the bonfire with us.” The child looks up at me with beaming eyes. “Right?”
All I can do is nod. I can’t say no to this kid, and I honestly don’t know why.
The woman gives me a sheepish smile before holding out her hand to her kid. “Come on, Susie-May. Leave this poor woman alone,” she glances up at me. “Sorry, she has a mind of her own. You definitely don’t have to come out here if you don’t want to.”
Susie-May stomps her foot and scowls at me. “Yes, you do. You promised!”
My eyes widen. When the hell did I promise? I push my hair behind my ear and clear my throat. “It’s fine. I’ll come hang out for a little bit.”
I follow behind them to the rest of the group and nearly trip over my own feet as I step into the circle.
The guy who bumped into me earlier is sitting on a log, drinking a beer next to a dark-haired man.
His laugh booms around the trees, and my heart nearly skips a beat.
Okay, what the actual fuck is happening?