Whispers in the Hollow

The Return

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of trees, casting long shadows over the cabin. The silence outside was unsettling, not even the chirping of birds breaking through the early morning mist. Marcus rubbed his eyes and slipped out of bed, determined to shake off the uneasy feeling that had clung to him since last night.

He was tired of feeling scared. They all were. But Marcus wasn't the type to sit around and do nothing. He figured getting a head start on the day would help. He wanted to make sure everything was in order so they could pack up and leave as soon as possible.

The others were still asleep, their soft breathing barely audible in the quiet cabin. As he pulled on his jacket, Marcus couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. *Just nerves*, he told himself. *We're all jumpy.*

Outside, the air was crisp, and the trees stood tall like silent sentinels. He breathed in deeply, hoping the cold morning air would clear his head. He scanned the perimeter of the cabin, checking the windows and the door to make sure they were locked. Everything seemed normal. *Maybe we're just overreacting. Maybe it's all in our heads.*

But then, as Marcus rounded the corner toward the front of the cabin, his blood froze.

His car—his pride and joy—was sitting in the driveway, just as they'd left it. Except now, every single tire was slashed, deep gashes cutting through the rubber. His heart pounded as he rushed toward it, cursing under his breath.

"What the hell—" Marcus muttered, running his hands over the ruined tires. But it wasn't just the tires. There was something written on the windshield, smeared in what looked like mud or some dark substance. His eyes widened as he made out the words, each one dripping with menace:

**"I'M BACK."**

A cold shiver ran down Marcus's spine. His hands clenched into fists, fury and fear warring inside him. Without thinking, he stormed back toward the cabin, kicking up dirt as he went.

---

Inside, Dani, Jayden, and Maya were still asleep, but Marcus's angry footsteps echoed through the cabin. He shoved the door open so hard it slammed against the wall.

"Everybody, wake the hell up!" Marcus bellowed, his voice shaking with rage. "Wake up, now!"

The others bolted upright, groggy and confused. Maya rubbed her eyes, glancing at Marcus with a frown. "What the hell, Marcus? What's your problem?"

Marcus stood in the middle of the room, chest heaving. "We're not alone here. Someone's been messing with us."

Jayden swung his legs over the side of the bed, still half-asleep. "Man, what are you talking about?"

"My car," Marcus said through gritted teeth. "Tires are slashed. And someone left a message on the windshield."

Dani's heart sank. "A message?"

Marcus nodded, his face twisted with anger. "It says, 'I'm back.'"

The room went silent. The gravity of Marcus's words hung heavy in the air. No one wanted to admit it, but the fear that had been building up over the past couple of days was now undeniable.

Jayden jumped out of bed, his expression serious. "Are you sure, Marcus? Maybe it's just some kids messing around."

Marcus glared at him. "Slashing my tires and leaving creepy messages isn't some harmless prank, Jayden! We're trapped here! No car, no way out."

Maya, now fully awake, looked terrified. "Oh my God. This can't be happening. We need to call for help."

Dani grabbed her phone off the table, her fingers trembling as she tried to get a signal. "I've been trying since last night. There's no reception out here."