All day, I found myself apologizing to Addie over and over again, the guilt gnawing at me like a relentless tide. At first, she waved me off with a laugh, telling me to drop it, but as the day went on, my constant apologies seemed to wear her patience thin.

  “Noah, I swear, if you say ‘sorry’ one more time, I might actually go deaf,” she groaned, throwing her hands in the air. “I should be the one apologizing for scaring you like that!”

  I let out a breath, forcing a small smile. “Scaring me? Addie, I nearly crushed your wrist.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Oh please, I’ve been through worse.” Then, as if sensing my lingering guilt, she nudged me playfully. “Seriously, Noah. I’m fine. I’ve been showing it off like a battle scar. Even Jade thinks it looks cool.”

  Despite her attempt to cheer me up, my gaze lingered on her hand. What had started as angry red marks were now darkening into a deep purple hue. The bruises looked almost unnatural, the edges blending into her skin in an odd, jagged pattern.

  My stomach twisted. I clenched my fists, only to wince at the dull ache in my palms. I turned them over, staring at the faint crescent-shaped marks imprinted in my own skin from the pressure of my grip.

  Something was wrong.

  I could feel it.

  The whispers hadn’t stopped. If anything, they had grown stronger—an insistent, relentless hum at the back of my mind. Not loud, but present, like a shadow lurking just beyond sight.

  I rubbed my temples, trying to push the sensation away. It had to be my imagination. Just exhaustion from the long trip.

  And yet, deep down, I knew the truth.

  This wasn’t over.

  The evening settled around us, the sky a deep indigo with the moon casting silver streaks through the gaps in the towering trees. Shadows stretched and flickered as the campfire crackled, its warmth battling the creeping chill of the night. The teachers, Ms. Celeste and Ms. Mallory, gathered all of us around, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and authority as they laid down the rules.

  “We’ll have the campfire for an hour,” Ms. Mallory announced, her voice carrying over the murmurs of tired students. “After that, everyone returns to their tents. No wandering around.”

  “And absolutely no sneaking off into the woods,” Ms. Celeste added, her eyes scanning the group with a sharpness that made me uneasy. “There are wild animals, and this area is unfamiliar. Stay where it’s safe.”

  A few students groaned at the strictness, but no one dared argue. The warning sign near our cottages was proof enough that this place wasn’t to be taken lightly.

  We settled around the fire, its golden glow casting dancing shapes onto our faces. Conversations flowed, laughter echoed through the air, but my mind was elsewhere. The tension in my chest hadn’t fully eased since earlier. The whispers had quieted, but I still felt them lingering in the back of my mind, like a presence watching from the dark.

  That’s when Lucas, self-proclaimed keeper of all things creepy and ridiculous, decided to grace us with another one of his tales.

  “You all know we’re not far from Hollow Woods, right?” he began, his voice lowering theatrically. A few groans echoed around him, but he ignored them, his grin widening. “I mean, we’re practically sitting at its doorstep.”

  “Here we go again,” Jade muttered, rolling her eyes.

  “I’m serious!” Lucas insisted, his face illuminated by the firelight, making his excited expression look almost eerie. “There’s a reason people fear this place. They say Veylar wasn’t just some cursed hunter—he was a monster. A traitor. He sacrificed his own people for power, feeding on their suffering to strengthen himself.”

  The laughter and chatter started to fade as more people began listening, some rolling their eyes, others leaning in slightly despite themselves.

  “He didn’t just lose his village,” Lucas continued, voice dripping with exaggerated dread. “He offered them up. And now, he takes anyone who crosses his path, dragging them into the Hollow Woods. Once you enter, you don’t come back.”

  The fire crackled loudly, sending a few sparks into the air. I watched them rise and disappear into the night, my stomach twisting.

  “That’s just a story,” Sumi scoffed, though there was a hint of unease in her voice. “People disappear all the time in forests. Doesn’t mean a cursed hunter is taking them.”

  Lucas shrugged. “Believe what you want. But they say he’s still out there, searching for something—or someone.” His gaze swept across the group before landing on me. “And if you hear whispers in the woods… it means he’s watching.”

  A shiver ran down my spine, and I quickly averted my eyes.

  It was just a stupid story.

  But then why did it feel so real?

  I really, really hoped that was all it was—just a legend. Just rumors.

  Because if it wasn’t… then we had just stepped too close to something we shouldn’t have.

  The group murmured, some rolling their eyes, others frowning. Lucas had a talent for stirring up nonsense, but this time, his words struck a little too close.

  “Do you have any proof, Lucas?” Sumi challenged, arms crossed. “Or are you just throwing around wild stories like always?”

  “Yeah,” Jade added. “If Veylar’s real, then where’s the evidence? Anyone actually seen him?”

  Lucas smirked, leaning back on his hands, enjoying the attention. “Oh, so now you all want proof? That’s the thing about legends—some are meant to be believed, not proven.” He shrugged dramatically. “But you don’t need to see Veylar to know he’s real. The signs are everywhere.”

  His gaze flickered toward me.

  My breath hitched.

  “And speaking of signs…” Lucas dragged out the words, his smirk deepening. “What about you, Noah?”

  A cold wave settled in my chest.

  “You were fine earlier,” he continued, his tone light but his eyes sharp. “And then suddenly, you grabbed Addie like your life depended on it—so hard that you nearly broke her hand.” His grin faded, turning into something more serious. “What was that about?”

  Everyone turned toward me.

  The fire crackled between us, but the warmth didn’t reach my skin.

  I opened my mouth, but no words came out. What was I supposed to say? That I heard whispers? That something had crawled into my mind and made my body act on its own? That I still felt it lingering, waiting?

  Ms. Celeste’s voice cut through the silence. “That’s enough, Lucas.” Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

  But before she could fully dismiss it, I forced myself to speak. “It was nothing.” I tried to sound casual, brushing it off like it was insignificant. “I wasn’t feeling well.”

  Lucas, however, wasn’t done.

  “Nothing?” he repeated, raising a brow. “Then why did you look terrified? What happened exactly?”

  My hands clenched into fists.

  I couldn’t tell them. Not here. Not now.

  Before I could figure out an answer, Lucas suddenly burst into laughter.

  “Relax, Noah!” he grinned, shaking his head. “You all looked like I just cursed her or something. It’s just a legend, people. Maybe it’s true, maybe it’s not. Who knows? Fifty-fifty chance, right?” He gave me a knowing glance. “So? What happened back there? You can tell us now.”

  His voice had softened—less teasing, more genuine curiosity.

  I took a slow breath, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I had a bad headache,” I said evenly. “I didn’t mean to grab Addie like that. It was just… a reaction.”

  Lucas studied me for a second before nodding. “Fair enough.” Then, as if he hadn’t just dragged me into the center of attention, he shifted the topic entirely.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  The tension dissolved as the others picked up on the change. Someone started humming a song, and soon, laughter and music filled the air again.

  I tried to join in, but my mind was elsewhere.

  I stared into the flames, the warmth flickering against my skin, but the chill inside me remained.

  Lucas had been joking. But what if, just what if, the fifty percent chance that he was right… was enough to be real?

  The mood around the campfire shifted instantly. The moment the villager spoke, the crackling of the flames and the hum of conversation seemed to dull, as if the very air around us had thickened.

  “You shouldn’t say that name,” the man warned, his deep voice cutting through the night. His face, worn by time and experience, was illuminated just enough by the fire for us to see his serious expression.

  Lucas, who had been mid-sentence about how ridiculous the whole Veylar legend was, blinked in surprise. Then, of course, he grinned. “Wait, what?” He sat forward eagerly. “Are you saying the legend is real?”

  The villager’s gaze didn’t waver. “I’m saying that speaking his name brings bad luck. And those who joke about him often regret it.”

  That was enough to make a few students shuffle uncomfortably. Jade hugged her knees to her chest. Sumi bit her lip. Even Addie, who usually encouraged Lucas’s antics, didn’t say a word.

  But Lucas? He just thrived off moments like this. “Alright, now you have my full attention,” he said, pointing at the man. “Why is saying his name bad? What happens?”

  The villager exhaled, clearly debating whether to answer at all. Then he shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it. And neither should you.”

  I felt my heart rate pick up for reasons I couldn’t explain.

  Lucas groaned, clearly frustrated. “Oh, come on. You can’t just drop something cryptic like that and walk away.”

  The villager turned his sharp gaze on all of us. “Listen carefully,” he said, voice low and firm. “Mind your business. Do not cross that caution board. Do not step beyond the boundary. Stay where you are meant to be, and you will leave this place safely.”

  Silence.

  A few students exchanged nervous glances.

  Jade swallowed. “And… what happens if we do cross?”

  The villager's expression darkened. “Then you may not return.”

  A cold shiver ran down my spine.

  For the first time, Lucas seemed to falter. But he quickly covered it up with a scoff. “Alright, fine. We’ll totally stay away from the creepy haunted forest.” He rolled his eyes. “Wouldn’t want to wake the big bad monster, huh?”

  The villager held his gaze for a moment before saying, “He has authority only in his woods. He does not leave them. As long as you do not step past the border, you will be safe.”

  The words safe and border stuck in my mind.

  The man adjusted his coat, looking at all of us one last time. “Ravencreak is a beautiful place for trips,” he said, his voice lightening just slightly. “Stay where you belong, enjoy your time, and there will be no trouble.”

  Then, with a small nod, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows.

  For a long moment, no one spoke.

  Then Addie let out an exaggerated breath. “Okay. That was comforting.”

  Lucas chuckled, though it wasn’t as loud or carefree as before. “Guess we just unlocked Hard Mode on this trip.”

  People laughed, but it was nervous and strained. Even as the fire crackled and the night carried on with singing and talking, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—had already noticed us.

  …the feeling that something was listening.

  The villager’s words echoed in my mind, sinking deep into the pit of my stomach. He has authority only in his woods.

  I glanced at the trees just beyond our campfire’s glow, their towering forms swaying gently in the night breeze. The fire’s warmth barely reached me anymore. It was as if the air itself had grown colder.

  Lucas leaned back, smirking as he stared at the flames. “You all look like you just got told a ghost is sleeping under your bed.”

  Addie nudged him, rolling her eyes. “Lucas, that guy wasn’t joking. He actually seemed scared.”

  Lucas shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe not he’s just messing with us, trying to keep tourists from wandering off where they shouldn’t.”

  “Isn’t that the whole point?” Jade muttered. “To keep us safe?”

  No one replied to that.

  A crack sounded from the woods. A sharp snap, like a twig breaking under pressure.

  I stiffened.

  It was small. Faint. Barely noticeable over the crackle of the fire and the soft hum of the breeze. But it was there.

  I wasn’t the only one who heard it.

  Lucas paused mid-smirk, his head tilting slightly, listening. Addie’s fingers curled against her sleeve. Jade’s gaze flickered toward the trees, her jaw tightening.

  Another sound—this time, a rustling. Like footsteps.

  My breath hitched.

  Ms. Celeste noticed the shift in atmosphere. “Alright, that’s enough ghost stories for one night,” she said, clapping her hands once. “Time to get some rest.”

  A few people groaned, but no one argued. The fire felt less inviting now, the shadows stretching just a little too far.

  “Holy mother,” I muttered under my breath, my hands clutching my head. Without another thought, I bolted toward the tent, nearly crashing into Addie on the way.

  “Where’s the fire?” she called after me, but I didn’t stop to answer.

  Inside the tent, I scrambled for my phone .As soon as I saw the twenty-plus missed calls from Nate, my stomach twisted into knots. Oh, I am so doomed. I quickly dialed Nate back, my heart hammering in my chest. It barely rang twice before he picked up.

  “NOAH!”

  I winced, pulling the phone slightly away from my ear. “Hey, Nate…”

  “Don’t ‘hey, Nate’ me!” he snapped, voice filled with frustration. “I’ve been calling you for hours! Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

  I swallowed, already regretting this. “I know, I know, I’m sorry! I left my phone in the tent. I only realized when I saw Irene’s phone at the campfire—”

  “You forgot?” Nate’s voice was sharp, laced with exasperation. “Noah, you are in the middle of nowhere, in a place tied to actual horror stories, and you forgot your phone? What if something had happened? What if you got lost? What if—” He cut himself off, exhaling a sharp breath.

  I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “Nate, I was at the campfire, surrounded by a ton of people. It’s not like I wandered off into the woods alone.”

  “That’s not the point!” he snapped. “You’re near the Hollow Woods. I looked up the place, Noah. The legends—everything about that place—it’s not some dumb campfire story. People have gone missing.”

  I stiffened slightly. “You looked it up?”

  “Of course I did!” he said, his voice still tense. “After you left, I kept thinking about it, so I dug deeper. And it’s not just old myths—people swear they’ve seen things in those woods. No one dares go near it, Noah. And now you’re there.”

  A chill ran down my spine. I forced a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. “Come on, Nate. You don’t actually believe all that, do you?”

  He didn’t laugh.

  “Noah,” he said, quieter now. “I don’t care if it’s real or not. What I care about is you. You know how I feel about this.”

  I closed my eyes. I did know. He wasn’t just being overprotective—this wasn’t just a big brother thing. It was deeper than that.

  I could still remember the look on his face when I was thirteen—when he saw me curled up in bed, shaking, unable to sleep for days because of the nightmares. The way he would sit beside me, pretending to read a book but secretly staying awake to make sure I didn’t wake up screaming.

  He saw what it did to me. And the worst part? He never even knew everything.

  If he did—if he knew what else happened in that house—he wouldn’t have just asked me to stay at the mansion. He wouldn’t even let me leave my apartment.

  I sighed. “Nate… I’m okay. Really.”

  He didn’t respond right away. When he finally spoke, his voice was tight. “I don’t want to see you like that again, Noah.”

  I bit my lip. “You won’t.”

  Another pause. Then, he muttered, “You better not.”

  I smiled softly. “I promise.”

  There was a moment of silence before he sighed again, more exhausted than angry now. “Just… be careful. And keep your damn phone with you.”

  “Yes, dad,” I teased.

  “Brat,” he shot back, but there was a trace of amusement in his voice now.

  “Goodnight, Nate.”

  “Mm-hmm, goodnight and keep your phone by your side .”

  The call ended, and I let out a deep breath, flopping back onto my sleeping bag.

  Irene, who had been listening to my half of the conversation, smirked

  . “Wow. He really needs to chill.”

  I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “He’s so overprotective. More than our parents, even.”

  Irene chuckled, plopping down beside me. “Honestly? Kind of sweet, though.”

  I huffed. “Yeah, well, it’s also exhausting. I swear, if he could, he’d install a tracker on me just to make sure I don’t do anything reckless.”

  Irene snorted. “I mean… would he really be wrong?”

  I shot her a glare, and she threw up her hands in surrender, laughing.

  “Okay, okay, but seriously,” she said, her tone turning softer, “he’s just looking out for you. I think what happened back then really messed with him.”

  I sighed, my fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on my sleeping bag. “Yeah. I know.”

  A brief silence settled between us before Irene nudged me lightly. “So, what did he say about Hollow Woods? Anything actually useful, or was it just ‘Noah, stay away’ on repeat?”

  I exhaled, my gaze drifting to the tent ceiling. “He looked up the place. Apparently, people have gone missing over the years. And not just in some urban legend way—like, actual missing person cases.”

  Irene’s expression shifted. “Okay… That’s actually creepy.”

  “Yeah.” I hesitated. “And… he said people swear they’ve seen things. Not just stories—people who live near the woods refuse to go near it.”

  Irene shivered. “Great. Love that for us.”

  I managed a weak laugh, but the unease gnawed at me. I wanted to believe it was all just folklore, just some ancient horror tale blown out of proportion. But something about the way Nate spoke—the urgency in his voice—made it feel different.

  And the voices I had heard earlier? The dizziness?

  I shook the thought away.

  “Anyway,” I muttered, forcing a smirk, “let’s just hope Lucas doesn’t hear about this. He’ll never shut up about it.”

  Irene groaned. “Oh god, can you imagine?”

  We both laughed, the tension lifting just a little. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

  That Nate’s paranoia… might not be paranoia at all.

  As the laughter between Irene and me faded into the quiet hum of the night, I found myself staring at the tent ceiling, my mind restless.

  Outside, the muffled voices of students settling in for the night blended with the occasional crackle of the dying campfire. The air was cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. It should’ve been peaceful. Comforting, even.

  But I felt uneasy.

  I turned to Irene, who was already tucked into her sleeping bag, scrolling through her phone.

  “You’re not tired?” I asked.

  She glanced at me. “I am, but if I close my eyes now, I’ll probably dream about Lucas’ horror rant, and I’d rather not.

  I snorted. “Fair point.”

  She locked her phone and turned to face me. “What about you? You look…” She hesitated. “Off.”

  I forced a small smile. “Just thinking.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “About?”

  I hesitated. “The voices.”

  Her expression shifted immediately, concern flickering in her eyes. “The ones you heard earlier?”

  I nodded, my fingers gripping the edge of my sleeping bag. “I thought it was my imagination at first, but… it felt real. Like, too real.”

  Irene’s face darkened. “Noah, maybe we should tell someone.”

  I scoffed. “Tell who? Ms. Celeste? Lucas? What am I supposed to say? ‘Hey, I heard creepy whispers in my head, but don’t worry, I’m totally fine’?”

  Irene frowned. “You know what I mean.”

  I sighed. “I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. I’m probably just tired. Or stressed. It’s not like this is the first time I’ve heard things…”

  Her gaze softened. “But it’s been years, right

  I nodded.

  “Since you left the mansion.”

  I swallowed hard. “Yeah.”

  Irene reached over and squeezed my hand gently. “Look, if anything weird happens again, tell me, okay? No keeping secrets.”

  I smiled faintly. “Deal.”

  A yawn escaped her as she let go of my hand. “Okay, enough spooky talk. Let’s sleep before I actually start believing in Lucas’ nonsense.

  I laughed softly, watching as she turned over and buried herself under the blanket.

  But even as I closed my eyes and forced myself to breathe evenly, sleep didn’t come easily.

  Because deep down, I knew Irene was right.

  This wasn’t just stress. This wasn’t just fatigue.

  Something was wrong.

  And I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what.