There's Something In The Woods

Chapter 26

"Mr Emerson?" I said in astonishment as I turned to come face to face with none other than our camp director.

"In the flesh." He responded. "Now, if you could be a dear and untie me, that would be wonderful."

I nodded and started to unbound his wrists and legs. He was sitting on the ground, surrounded by dirt and sticks.

"Good to see you alive, sir." Said Nick as he assisted me with the ropes.

"Good to be alive." Mr Emerson stated. Now was his chance to explain.

"What did this to you?" I asked seriously, finally freeing him.

"The Woodlands State Wendigo." He said quietly, rubbing his sore wrists. "It got me first night of camp, while y'all were sleeping. It also got some campers, but I think you already know that."

"So it's actually real?" Kyle asked, looking quite astonished.

"Well of course it is!" Our camp directed sighed. "What do ya think Matthew Jenkins was on about? Sure, people thought he was crazy, but he was telling the truth. I'm sure y'all know that now...."

"Where are the others?" Nick said frantically. "Are they still alive?"

That's when Mr Emerson's face darkened.

"What is it?" Nick cried out. "Tell me!"

Mr Emerson let out an exasperated sigh before responding. "Lee didn't make it. He was the first to die."

"First?" I said in confusion. "What about Zack, Michael and Ashley?"

"The girl is still alive." He stated clearly and I breathed a sigh of relief. "But the boys....they're gone."

Michael. He was gone. Dead.

"No." I whispered. "This can't be happening!" I'd known Michael since Kindergarten and we'd been friends ever since.

I felt someone pull me into a hug, wrapping their arms around me and holding tight. I looked up and saw tears in Nicks eyes. He was hurting too.

After a minute, I pulled away from our embrace and spoke to our camp director, quickly wiping my eyes. "Where's Ashley?"

"A little further down the tunnel." He replied, before trying to get up. Mr Emerson winced as he stood up, reaching down to rub his left ankle.

He noticed me looking, so he explained that he sprained it, running from the Wendigo.

"Let's go." He said, stumbling a little as he headed down the tunnel, beckoning for us to follow.

Soon enough we were in another room and I spotted Ashley in the corner, limbs tied and mouth gagged.

Her eyes lit up in happiness as she glanced our way and Nick rushed forward to help her.

"Oh my God! I can't believe it's you!" She squealed once her mouth was free. I assisted Nick in the untying of the rope and moments later, Ashley was unbound.

"Ash! Are you OK?" I asked as she rushed into my arms.

"Yes, I'm fine now that you're all here." She replied, pulling away to hug Nick. "Thank you for finding me!"

"What?" I said, amused. "You didn't think we would leave you for dead?"

"Of course not!" She replied. Then her face went serious.

"It's real." Ashley whispered. "The Wendigo is real. It grabbed me while I was packing up my camp stuff. I didn't even have time to scream!" Then she started sobbing.

"It killed the others in front of me...." She whispered. "I had to watch as they died!"

"Sshh, it's OK." Nick said soothingly. "The important thing now is that we get the hell out of here."

We all agreed and headed back the way we came, flashlights shining ahead.

"Here we are." Kyle said as he gestured to the entry hole. "Our way out."

Ashley and Mr Emerson went first, eager to get out.

Eventually we all clambered out of the hole, met by the happy faces of Lucy, Sam and Georgia. I was excited to finally escape Woodlands State Forest.

But I think we all knew that this wasn't over yet....