Blood Moon Lake

Chapter 44

Following Anna through the woods, we stepped over fallen trees and branches. I'm not entirely sure where we're going. I don't even know if we are going anywhere. I think she just chose a direction and started walking. I wouldn't be surprised if that's what happened. I think that's what we've been doing for the majority of this trip. Can I even call it a trip? It's more of a walking nightmare if anything. I mean, I don't think this is how people define a trip. Or maybe it is, I don't know. Huh, that's a familiar thought. I feel like I don't know anything at this point. Nothing useful anyways. Nothing to help with whatever you wanna call this. Nothing that can keep people safe and alive. I said I didn't care if the adults made it out of this but it's starting to make me question whether I can get my friends out of this.

If three grown-ups (two quite physically strong) didn't make it, how would we? I know Greer is dead but something tells me those things are coming back. Something feels off. It's like I'm looking at a room and I know something is missing but I don't know what. There's something that is bugging me and I can't put my finger on it. Greer is dead. We should be safe. What if Anna is wrong? What if the demons do come back? We know how to kill them but will we have the opportunity to do so? They can outrun us. Out muscle us. Outnumber us. Just because we can kill them doesn't mean we have an advantage. It just makes our situation more bearable. Glancing around, I noticed the sun was beginning to set. I frowned, that's not good. It's harder to see the demons at night. If it's harder to see them it's easier to be ambushed. It felt like the trees were staring at me.

I was being watched? Scanning the area, I tried to find whoever was staring. There was no one. My friends were a ways ahead and none of them were looking back at me. There weren't any other animals except for a Buzzard perched on a tree branch. It stared at me for a moment before taking off and flying above me. Just a bird. I took a deep breath trying to calm myself. I don't understand what's wrong with me. I wasn't feeling like this before. Why am I feeling this now? "Hey," Leo said pulling me out of my thought, "What's wrong?" "What do you mean?" I asked. He gave me a look, "I can hear you thinking from where the others are. What's going on?" Oh. I shrugged, "I don't know. Something feels... off. It's making me nervous." Leo looked shocked and opened his mouth to say something before shaking his head, "It's probably nothing. It's not uncommon to be on edge after violent events."

"Yeah," I sighed shaking my head, "I know. You're right. It's probably nothing." Leo nodded but I noticed him glancing around... almost like he was nervous. "Come on," he said grabbing my wrist and pulling me toward the others, "Stop worrying and join us." I glanced around once more before nodding, "Alright." Catching up to the others, Leo grinned at Ella, "Told you I could get him to join us." Ella glared and stuck her tongue out in response. Leo returned the expression still grinning. "You two act like children," Jack stated. "So do you," Ella retorted. "You do," I agreed. "Says the man who started a soap opera," Jack scoffed. "Don't pull our roleplay into this!" I said, "Last time I checked you were part of it too!" "Yeah, but you created it," he replied. "Ladies, ladies, you're both pretty," Ella interrupted, "We're all equally to blame for the roleplay. We all contributed to it's... interestingness." "Uh, no," Leo interjected, "I am not part of that." "Hey! You offered to be my husband!" I reminded him. "...I forgot about that," he muttered, "But I haven't contributed to it yet! You can't lump me into this!"

"Uh! Traitor!" I pouted. "Sorry," he shrugged unapologetically. "Sure," I said disbelievingly. As the bickering continued, I tuned it out. We were entering a new part of the forest. These trees were younger, and not as many were rotting and falling away. That's good. We won't have to worry about one falling on us like it did with... we don't have to worry about them falling. I noticed more animals moving around, crows hopped around the floor looking for food, and some ravens perched on branches. A few black butterflies flitted around some red tulips. It was more livelily yet my unease only seemed to be growing. I shook my head, I shouldn't be feeling like this. I need to relax. There's no point for me to be all wound up. Taking a deep breath, I tried to relax. "Do you have any food in your bag?" Ella asked, "I'm kinda hungry and I'd prefer to eat while I can still see." Looking at the sky, I realized the sun was almost completely gone. "I should," I said opening my backpack. Sure enough, there was food wrapped in tinfoil.

"Here you go," I called tossing it to her, "What is it?" Ella caught it and unwrapped it, "Quesadilla." "Ohh, nice," I said pulling two more out and tossing them to Jack and Leo. "Hey Anna," I called, "Want one?" Anna was a ways ahead of us walking like she had somewhere to be. "Anna!" I called again when she didn't answer. "Huh?" she asked turning around. "You want dinner?" I questioned. "Oh yeah! Sure!" She replied jogging over, "Sorry I didn't hear you the first time." "It's alright," I smiled handing her a quesadilla. She took it and began to eat it. "You seem to be on a mission," I said, "Why were you walking so fast?" "Just want to get as far as possible before it gets dark," she told me. "Ah," I nodded taking a bite of my food. Makes sense the farther we get the safer, right? But didn't Anna say the demons shouldn't come back? Huh, despite what she said she must be worried about it too. Can't say I blame her. We continued to walk as we ate and it wasn't long before the sun set and the moon began to rise.

"Wanna stop or keep walking?" I asked pulling a flashlight out of the bag and flicking it on. "Keep walking," Anna said. "I don't mind going farther," Jack shrugged. "Okay," I replied passing a few more out. We continued walking, flashlights brightening the path in front of us. As we moved farther, bats began to fly overhead. It wasn't long before dark clouds rolled in covering the stars and bringing a drizzle. "Shoot," I muttered. That's inconvenient. If I know one thing, it's that it will only get worse. We need to find shelter or we'll get soaked. "Run for it?" Ella asked. "Run for it," I confirmed. We took off running through the trees as the clouds grew darker and the rain fell harder. Now I know the chances of actually finding somewhere to hide are highly unlikely, but it won't hurt to look. Pounding through the forest, we tried to outrun the rain to no avail. Huh, at least we aren't running from demons. As our run continued, I searched for a place to stop.

We don't need a manmade structure. A tree hole would work or some sort of thick canopy. It just needs to block out a majority of the rain. "Up ahead!" Ella shouted, "There's a building?" Breaking into a sprint, we barreled towards it. As we drew closer we were able to see what it was. It was an old stone building. The walls were crumbling and covered in vines. Rhododendrons and Brugmansias grew all around thriving in this place. Looking up, I saw most of its roof was still intact. "This place will work," Anna said darting inside. We all followed without hesitation. As I passed through, a feeling of overwhelming dread washed over me. Something in my mind screamed that we needed to leave this place. Looking around, I tried to find a reason for my unease. Nothing was threatening about this place. It's raining out this is the best available shelter. It will be fine. I pushed my nerves aside and followed Anna farther into the building.