Lisa and Misty had been planning their revenge on Candice for weeks, carefully crafting every detail to ensure their plan would unfold flawlessly. The mountain trip provided the perfect opportunity, and as the group prepared to ascend, their excitement was tinged with a hidden motive.
The next day, the trek to the peak began. Everyone was eager to plant the flag at the summit, but for Lisa and Misty, the thrill lay elsewhere. Candice, oblivious to their scheme, had been paired with Misty for the climb. Initially, she thought nothing of it—until Misty silently disappeared into the crowd, leaving her behind.
As the group returned from the trek, laughter and chatter filled the air—until someone noticed Candice was missing. Panic spread like wildfire. Hanna and Andy exchanged worried glances, their expressions darkening as they realized she had never returned.
Nick arrived at camp minutes later, his sharp eyes immediately catching the tension in the group. Something felt off. "Where's Candice?" he demanded, scanning their faces.
Hanna hesitated before answering, "She's missing. We thought she was with Misty and Lisa, but—"
Nick's gaze snapped to the two girls in question. Their uneasy expressions and the way they avoided his eyes only confirmed his suspicions.
Without a word, he grabbed them both by the wrists and pulled them aside. "What the hell did you do?" he growled, his voice low and threatening.
Lisa and Misty flinched. "W-We didn't—"
"Don't lie to me," Nick snapped, tightening his grip just enough to make them squirm. "Where is she?"
Under the weight of his glare, Misty broke first. "We... we left her behind," she admitted, voice trembling. "It was supposed to be a joke! We didn't think she'd actually get lost!"
Nick's fury ignited. "Are you kidding me?! She's out there alone! At night!"
He shoved past them and sprinted toward the mountain, his heart pounding. He had to find her. Before it was too late.
Lost and alone on the mountain, Candice wandered in circles, her breath coming out in short, uneven puffs. The biting cold seeped into her bones, numbing her fingers and making each step heavier than the last. Hours had passed, yet the dense forest stretched endlessly before her, a labyrinth of twisted trees and unyielding darkness. Panic clawed at her chest, tightening with every frantic beat of her heart.
Her phone was useless. No signal. No way to call for help. The silence around her was deafening, broken only by the sharp crunch of her footsteps against frozen leaves. The trees loomed like silent sentinels, their skeletal branches stretching toward her as if eager to pull her deeper into the abyss.
Just as despair began to sink its teeth into her, the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the stillness. Candice's breath hitched, and she spun around, eyes wild with fear. Shadows shifted, the wind rustling through the trees like a whisper of something unseen. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to run, but her legs refused to move. Her pulse pounded in her ears, drowning out everything else. The steps grew louder, purposeful—closing in.
Then—
"Candice!" The voice, deep and urgent, cut through the night like a lifeline.
Her heart slammed against her ribs. That voice. It was unmistakable.
"Nick?" she called out, her voice barely above a whisper, thick with disbelief and relief.
A figure emerged from the darkness, his face barely visible in the moonlight, but she knew. She knew that presence, that strong, unwavering presence that had always made her feel safe.
YOU ARE READING
Stole My Heart 💕
Short StoryNick raised an eyebrow, then pointed at her before jerking his head toward the door, a silent command. She hesitated, clearly unsure if he was addressing her. He gave a firm nod to confirm. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out...
