I wipe myself and throw it into the little trash bag I brought with me. Tentatively, I make my way over, my fascination compelling me forward while every fiber of my being screams not to go near it.
Once I’m right next to it, I bend down and sweep my hand over the leaves, pushing them aside to reveal what is underneath.
Silver handcuffs.
Someone has been kinky as hell in these woods. I scoop them up, letting out a soft, amused giggle.
Absorbed in my thoughts, the sudden crack of a branch pulls me back, and I whip around as the blood drains from my face. I search the shadows, trying to figure out what it was.
An uneasy feeling overtakes me. For a split second, I’m sure someone was out here watching me, but that’s ridiculous. There’s no one else around.
Looking back down at the handcuffs, I examine one of the cuffs, holding my lantern closer to them.
“Oh my god!” I yell and hurl them with all of my strength when I notice a wet substance with a rust-like color.
My hands shake as I rub my fingers together, feeling a stickiness. I bring them to my nose and inhale, and a metallic-like smell engulfs my senses.
Blood.
What kind of sick fuck leaves this at a campsite?
My mind goes blank, and my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. I’m so stunned that my feet are rooted to the ground.
Out of the silence, I catch the faintest whisper.“Marley.”
If I hadn’t already emptied my bladder, I’d be pissing all over myself. My teeth are chattering, and it’s not from the cold.
“Oh, Marleyyyy,”the whisper grows louder.
What the fuck?
My feet are still frozen to the ground, and my insides flip uncomfortably. Without a doubt, I heard that one.
“Soon enough, you’ll be mine, Marley, in every possible way imaginable.”
Feeling returns to my feet, and I take off back toward the tent, my legs pumping like a mad woman. Diving into the tent, I wrench myself inside, and with inhuman-like speed, I zip it up.
Ryan is snoring—he can sleep through anything. I shake him harshly. “Ryan! Ryan, wake up, please!” I shout.
“Huh…” he murmurs in confusion, the alcohol still in his system.
“Ryan, there’s someone out there! Right outside our tent!”
“Marley, go to bed, babe, it’s late,” he groans, lightly pushing me over to my side.
“No, Ryan, please, please go check. There’s someone out there, and they’re watching us!”
Grumbling, Ryan sits up, his hair standing straight up on one side.
“Marley, come on. It's probably just the wind and the trees rustling.”
“No, Ryan, someone said my name!” I screech.
His eyes go wide, stunned. “You’re sure?”
With as much vigor as I can put into my voice, I plead, “Please, just go check.”
He flips the blanket off him. “Give me the lantern.”
