The Wendigo's Hunger

chapter 1 The Calm Before the Campfire

"GET UP!" A woman's voice calls from downstairs. Mylo stirs groggily, realizing he's once again slept through his alarms. He sighs, pushing himself out of bed and thinking about the plans for tonight. Checking his phone, he sees a flurry of missed messages from Hannah. Another sigh escapes him as he types a reply: "Sorry, I overslept again. I'll be at school in ten minutes, unless you can pick me up?"

Hannah's reply is swift: "I'm on my way. Be ready when I get there or I'll leave you, and you'll have to walk."

Mylo dresses in his usual outfit, grabs his phone and backpack, and heads downstairs. "Mom, I'm leaving. Love you!" he calls out.

"I love you too," his mom responds warmly.

Hannah sits in her truck waiting for Mylo. She texts Mylo: "Mylo, are you ready yet??"

Mylo responds: "I'm walking out of my house now, wait a damn minute".

Hannah rolls her eyes and turns up her music while waiting. She starts to think to herself, "I really feel bad about begging Mylo to go on the camping trip, I know he hates lying to his mom. I mean what's the worst that could happen? We all get murdered?" Hannah laughs at the thought of it.

Just then, Mylo opens the door to her truck.

Hannah greets him with a smirk: "Finally! You're slow as hell. You better be grateful I didn't leave your ass."

As they drive, Mylo turns down the music and says, clearly annoyed, "Does it have to be so loud?"

Hannah glances over, unfazed, and turns the volume back up. "I'm driving, so yes, it does. What's with you? You've been acting like a total jerk all week".

"Hmm, I wonder if it's because you're making me go on this dumb trip," he replies, clearly frustrated.

Hannah, clearly frustrated, snaps, "Maybe if you had more friends to hang out with, I wouldn't have to drag you to these events just to help you make some." She lets out a sigh.

He exclaims ."Look, I get that you're trying to help, but forcing me to go on this trip isn't exactly making me want to be social. It just feels like you're not listening to how I feel about it.so much could go wrong!"

Finally, after what feels like forever, they arrive at school. Hannah pulls into the parking lot and parks next to some of her friends. Turning off the truck, she looks over at Mylo and says, "If you don't want to come, that's your choice. But don't come crying to me later about not having any friends."

The school bell rings, and students begin filtering into their classrooms. Mylo checks his phone and sees a message in the group chat.

Mickey texts: "Me and Rachel got the tents from my dad, so good news—we won't have to sleep outside!"

Finn chimes in: "I'm bringing alcohol. We're going to drink like there's no tomorrow!"

Hannah responds to Finn: "I can't wait. All you lightweights better hope you don't black out!"

Mylo types back, clearly annoyed: "As fun as that sounds, I'm not drinking. No thanks."

Malachi replies: "LAMEEE. What's even the point of going if you're not going to drink?"

Hannah quickly responds to Malachi: "Malachi, if Mylo doesn't want to drink, no one's going to force him. Or I'll cancel the plans right now."

Elizabeth adds: "Can we not? My phone won't stop buzzing, and I'm trying to pay attention."

.

Finn and Malachi are huddled in the janitor's closet, smoking. Malachi kicks the mop bucket and grumbles, "Why the hell did Hannah invite Mylo!?"