Chapter 8
Ethan
I didn’t mean to follow her. At least, that’s what I tell myself as I slip quietly between the trees.
Kayla said she was going to the bathroom, but it seemed off that she needed to pee right after a woman screamed.
Everyone else stayed by the fire, murmuring about what they heard, but not her.
She just got up and went right toward the sound.
She didn’t think anyone saw her. But I did.
And now here I am, leaning against an old oak tree, looking at something I’m not sure my brain fully understands.
Kayla is dragging a body into the small clearing I found earlier this morning. A dead body. The man’s head lolls to the side as she hoists him into the tree on the rope I touched earlier. A shiver runs down my spine. I thought this place was for deer. Not humans…
I should be calling the police. I should run back to camp and scream for help. But instead, I stay perfectly still and watch. She pulls a knife from her waistband and slices it across the man’s neck. Blood gushes out of the body onto the grass below.
My stomach should be churning at the sight, but it’s not.
What the hell is wrong with me? That’s a thought I have even as I lean closer to get a better look. She moves with precision. Every motion is deliberate and controlled. It’s like she’s done this before and has no shame in what she’s doing.
The blood begins to slow, and she circles the swaying body. She fumbles with the rope, attempting to get the leg free before mumbling something under her breath about it being a stupid piece of shit.
Before I can fully think about what I’m doing, I step into the clearing. “If you loosen the knot first, the leg will come out easier.”
At first, we just stare at each other. My heart pounds in my chest as I realize what I’ve just done, and her eyes widen at the fear of being caught in the act of such depravity.
Then her face turns into a scowl, and she points her knife in my direction.
“You have about three seconds to tell me why you’re in my woods. ”
Her voice is different than before. Lower. Scarier. But I still don’t move. “Technically, these are public woods.” Why am I goading a woman with a knife?
Her expression darkens as she takes a step toward me. “Do you want to be next?”
I blink, let out a breath, then laugh. “Not really,” I shrug. “I’m not into that.”
She stares at me as if I’m the one acting crazy. Which… fair.
She tilts her head to the side. “You just watched me string up a body, and your response is sarcasm?”
I shrug. “I told you earlier. You’re interesting.”
Her mouth opens. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
I run my hand through my hair, glancing briefly at the body swaying between the trees before looking back at her. I chuckle. “I have no idea.”
She lowers the knife and looks up at the sky. “Why are you even out here, Ethan?”
My shoulders relax. “I followed you.”
“Why the hell are you following me?”
“Because you were in the woods by yourself at night, and I thought that was weird. And besides… in case you haven’t noticed, I kinda like you.”
She scoffs. “You don’t even know me. Just leave me alone,” she turns back toward the body and does as I suggest, loosening the knot, and the man tumbles to the ground.
I walk closer to her. My feet have a mind of their own until I’m only a few feet away. She doesn’t startle when she sees how close I’ve gotten, though. Just continues to cut pieces of the man and place them on her folding table.
Finally, once she starts salting the flesh, I realize what she’s doing. She turns toward me. “Why are you still here? Go back to camp.”
I take another step, this time close enough to touch her. “What if I don’t want to? What if I want to help you do whatever it is you’re doing?”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m preparing meat to freeze so I can eat it throughout the year.” She turns toward me, the moonlight showing every inch of her face. I watch as her brow raises. “Still want to help me? Still like me and think I’m interesting?”
I close the distance between us and cup her cheek just as she raises her knife, pressing it into my stomach.
I ignore the prick of the blade and press my lips to hers.
Gently at first until she lets the knife hit the floor.
Then I scoop her into my arms and sit her on the table next to the human flesh.
My hands grip her ass as she pulls me to her, opening her mouth to me.
When we pull away from one another, she’s still holding onto my shirt as she looks at the ground. “You realize if you tell anyone about this, I’ll have to kill you.”
I rest my head against hers. “That's fair. I might even let you.”