Hunter Prey

three

I glance at my sister hesitantly. Her expression is exactly how I thought, her pale complexion paler than usual, her green eyes wide.

I grimace. Oh boy.

It didn't really help that the curtains are wide open, leaving the dark abyss of the outside world completely vulnerable to the inside of the cabin.

But you can't see anything.

At all, unfortunately. Unless you squint, and, well, that's what I do. Which I really regret because im able to make out a dark form what looks to be only two feet away from the window.

I can't make out its distinct shape, or whatever it could possibly be, but it disturbs me nonetheless, feeling its eyes on me. Only me.

I blink, tossed back to reality with the doorbell rings, and like that, the figure is gone. I exchange a wary gaze with my older sister.

"I'll..go get it," i say slowly. She shakes her head, standing up. "I'll go." She whispers, tip-toeing towards the front door, peeking out of it. She lets out a sigh of relief, and after I hear the pitchy voice of what seems to be a man, who sounds young, claiming he's here to deliver pizza, my heart calms a little.

Keyword, a little.

I glance down at my hands, noticing how I'm uncomfortably holding a tight grip against the throw blanket. I let out a shuddering breath and shake my head. Definitely not watching a scary movie tonight.

Soon enough, my sister returns with two boxes of mouthwatering smelling pizzas, and plops them onto the coffee table. She scurries towards the window to close the curtains, and repeats that process for all of them around the cabin.

I can't help but feel a sense of relaxation and the gesture, letting out a soft sigh.

I smile at her as she approches, more relieved than ever, before scooting next to me, opening a pizza box.

"Disney?"

"Disney." I agree.

The next morning, first morning, is better than the previous night. I yawn softly, lifting my arms over my head, my flannel riding up, the sunlight pooling through the curtains onto my warm, tanned skin. I bask in it with my sleepy eyes closed.

Wham

I squeak, falling off the bed into my back, whining in pain, while my sister laughs, holding her stomach, a pillow in grasp.

"You butthole!" I cry. She laughs even harder. "Get up, nest for head. Breakfast is ready, and im beyond ready to do something, anything." She grins.

I roll my eyes. Of course she is.

"Like what, idiot? You're too scared to go outside after last night." I call her out. She huffs. "No, no. I spoke to the elderly couple who lives like, sixteen minutes away and they said deers and stuff often trample around during the late hours. It was probably just some nosy animal, so really, im fine with visiting the lake today. It sounds amazing, doesn't it?" She lets out dreamily. I scrunch my nose.

"You left this morning?" I question, puzzled.

"Yes." She smiles proudly. I shake my head. "Whatever, what's for breakfast?" I stand up, rubbing my lower back. That's definitely going to bruise.

"Grits, hootenanny, and berries." She grins cheekily. I nearly drool. Ohhhh yeah.

I all but bolt out of the room, down the stairs. Laughter follows.

After speaking while eating, a ten minute shower, and a change of clothes, we're set off for a little hike to the lake, at twelve in the afternoon.