The Long 7 Days

The morning air was crisp and damp, clinging to Alex's skin as the group moved along the edge of the creek. The rhythmic sound of flowing water provided a strange comfort, a reminder of something constant in a world that had been turned upside down.

Eve led the way, her bow in hand, her movements smooth and silent. Jack followed close behind, his rifle gripped tightly, his eyes darting nervously to the trees around them. Alex brought up the rear, his knife at the ready, scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.

The forest was dense, the towering trees blocking out much of the morning light. Shadows danced across the ground, creating an almost surreal landscape that made it difficult to tell where the ground ended and the underbrush began. The group moved cautiously, their senses on high alert.

It wasn't long before Alex noticed the subtle signs that something was amiss. The birds, which had been chirping faintly earlier, were now completely silent. The wind rustling the trees felt heavier, as if the forest itself was holding its breath. Alex tightened his grip on his knife, his muscles tensing.

"Hold up," he said quietly, his voice cutting through the stillness.

Eve stopped immediately, her body going rigid as she scanned the forest ahead. Jack froze as well, his head swiveling to look at Alex.

"What is it?" Jack whispered, his voice barely audible.

Alex held up a hand, signaling for silence. He crouched low, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the faint impressions in the dirt near the creek's edge. Tracks. Not fresh, but recent enough to be concerning. They were humanoid but uneven, as if whoever made them had been dragging one foot. A chill ran down Alex's spine.

"Someone's been through here," Alex murmured, gesturing for the others to come closer.

Eve knelt beside him, her sharp gaze studying the tracks. "Injured," she said quietly, nodding toward the drag marks. "Could be desperate."

"Or dangerous," Alex replied, his voice low.

Jack looked at the tracks, then back at Alex. "What do we do? Follow them? Avoid them?"

Alex stood, his expression hard. "We don't know who or what they are. Best to keep moving, but we stay alert. If they're nearby, we'll deal with them when we have to."

Eve nodded in agreement, rising to her feet. Jack hesitated, but eventually gave a reluctant nod. The group resumed their march, moving even more cautiously than before. Every step felt deliberate, every sound magnified in the oppressive silence of the forest.

The sun was high in the sky by the time they came across the remnants of a campsite. The ashes of a fire pit were still warm, and scattered around it were the signs of a hasty departure—scraps of fabric, an empty canteen, a torn sleeping bag.

Eve crouched by the fire pit, running her fingers through the ashes. "They were here recently. Maybe a few hours ago."

Alex scanned the area, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. "They left in a hurry. Something scared them off."

"Or someone," Jack muttered, gripping his rifle tighter.

Alex moved toward the edge of the campsite, where the underbrush was trampled. The tracks led away from the site, disappearing into the dense trees. He frowned, his instincts screaming that something was wrong.

"They're not far," Alex said, his voice grim. "But if they're running, they're either afraid of us or afraid of something worse."

Eve rose from the fire pit, her bow at the ready. "We can't stay here. This is too exposed."

Alex nodded, his mind racing. "We follow the creek for another mile. If we don't find anything, we double back and make camp further upstream."

Jack glanced nervously at the tracks. "And what if they're following us?"

Alex met his gaze, his expression unyielding. "Then we deal with them."

The three of them moved quickly, leaving the abandoned campsite behind. The forest seemed to grow darker as they went, the trees closing in around them. Alex could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

An hour later, they came across a clearing with a small rise overlooking the creek. It wasn't ideal, but it was defensible, and there was enough visibility to spot any approaching threats. Alex signaled for the others to stop.

"We camp here for the night," he said, his voice firm. "It's not perfect, but it's the best we're going to find."

Eve surveyed the area, her eyes narrowing. "It'll do. We'll need to set traps, though. If anyone—or anything—comes near, I want to know about it."

Jack looked relieved to stop moving, though his unease was still evident. "Fine by me. I'm sick of walking."

The group set to work quickly, each falling into their roles. Alex and Eve set up makeshift tripwires around the perimeter, using tin cans and string to create rudimentary alarms. Jack gathered wood for a small fire, though he kept glancing nervously at the trees as he worked.

By the time the sun began to set, the camp was as secure as they could make it. The fire burned low, casting long shadows across the clearing. Alex sat with his back against a tree, his knife resting on his lap. Eve was nearby, sharpening her arrows with the same focused intensity she always displayed. Jack sat by the fire, his rifle leaning against his shoulder.

For a while, they sat in silence, the crackling of the fire the only sound. But as the night deepened, the unease in the group grew palpable. The forest around them was too quiet, the usual sounds of nocturnal animals absent.

Alex's hand tightened around his knife. His eyes flicked to Eve, who was already on her feet, her bow in hand. Jack looked at them both, his face pale.

"You feel it too?" Jack whispered, his voice trembling.

Alex nodded, his jaw clenched. "Something's out there."

They didn't have to wait long to find out what it was. A low growl echoed through the trees, followed by the sound of something large moving through the underbrush. Alex rose slowly, his body tensed, his knife held ready.

"Stay close to the fire," he said quietly, his eyes scanning the darkness.

Eve moved to his side, her arrow nocked and ready to fire. Jack crouched by the fire, his rifle aimed outward, his hands shaking.

The growling grew louder, accompanied by the sound of snapping branches. Whatever it was, it was getting closer. Alex's mind raced, calculating their options. Running wasn't an option—not in the dark. They would have to stand their ground.

"Get ready," Alex murmured, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

The shadows at the edge of the clearing shifted, and then it appeared—a massive, wolf-like creature, its eyes glowing faintly in the firelight. Its fur was matted with dirt and blood, and its teeth were bared in a snarl.

Eve didn't hesitate. She loosed her arrow, the projectile flying straight and true. It struck the creature in the shoulder, eliciting a pained roar, but it only seemed to enrage it. The beast charged, its movements unnaturally fast.

"Take it down!" Alex shouted, moving to intercept.

The clearing erupted into chaos, the firelight flickering wildly as the group fought for their lives.