The Forest Lurkers

Chapter III : The nightmare

As we headed to the end of the hall, I realized that there was still 2 school periods before we could leave. With all of my excitement, it passed pretty quickly.

After all our classes finished, we took our backpacks and headed for the front of the school. We waited for everyone to leave, and we told the suspicious teachers that we were waiting for our parents. It was about 6:30pm when the school was empty. We looked around to make sure that no one was there, and headed towards Pine Hills Forest.

''Guys, what if there's still a werewolf in the forest...?'' Owen asked, with a shaky voice.

''We don't know for sure, but I brought a weapon if we encounter one.'' I said.

The forest was massive, and as the name described it, it was full of pine trees. They were beautiful, and the sun made the forest look like a fairy tale come-to-life. I wondered, how could this forest be dangerous?

After about 2 hours (Yes, the forest is that big), we got to site. It had orange highlights, to determine where certain events of the murder took place. Now it was roughly 9:30pm, and darkness was falling. I felt like something bad was going to happen, soon.

We looked at the murder site, and strangely the body was still there... It had been half buried with soil, but a blu-ish arm stuck out from the dirt.

''Find' anything new?'' I asked, trying to break the silence.

''Not yet, but I've found freakishly big wolf claw marks on her arms.'' Landon replied.

''G-guys, its getting dark and cold out here..'' Owen said, shivering.

''You should of brought your jacket then, but you can use mine, I don't need it.'' Aaron stated.

Aaron gave Owen his jacket, even though he only had a shirt underneath. Landon was still examining the body, and even though he looked like a jock, he's actually a smart geek. When it comes to me, my role in the group is researcher, since I'm the one who usually searches for information on the case. Owen is ''The magic theory generator'', since he always comes up with good theories. Aaron is the leader, so he manages the decisions we make as a team...

(2 hours later...)

''Guys, its pitch black out here, anyone have a flashlight?'' I asked.

''I brought one, just in case.'' Owen said.

We light up the area, and the fairy tale-like vibe is gone. I even felt in danger at this point, since there was so many sounds in the forest.

''My mom will be worried, I promised her that I would come back home at 11:30, and its almost midnight.'' I said.

''Maybe we should set camp here for the night...'' Landon proposed.

''I guess we can, lets find a stable spot first.''  Aaron replied.

We walked further into the forest, until we found a decent spot to rest. All was going well until the flashlight's batteries died.

''Lets just stay here...'' I proposed.

We layed our backpacks on the ground, and tried resting a bit. Aaron was beside me, but Owen and Landon slept side-by-side close to me. Compared to me, the boys seemed to have no trouble falling asleep. But I had this vibe that kept me awake, I knew something was lurking in those shadows.

Finally, when I managed to close my eyes, I was awakened by a ruffling noise between the tree's in front of us. I got up and went to investigate. It was probably midnight by now, and the full moon shone in the sky. I walked and got to where the sound resonated, and nothing was there...

Until, I heard a growling noise. I peeked on the other side of the tree to see a huge wolf. It had bright yellow eyes, and sharp bone-crushing teeth. Only when I thought it didn't see me, I hear a twig break behind me. I started running, but then got thrown to the ground by an unimaginable force. The wolf pinned me to the ground, and stared right into my eyes. Soon, I felt myself scream as a horrible stinging pain rose in my shoulder. I held it with my hand, blood seeping through my jacket. I heard footsteps getting closer. My friends, I thought.

''Julia?! Julia are you okay!?'' The three boys asked, as they got closer.

''G-guys you need to get out of here...'' I muttered.

When they arrived, I heard twigs snap behind me.

''What happened?! Julia your shoulder!'' Owen yelled.

''You guys need to get out of here.. NOW.'' I yelled.

The boys hesitated, but soon ran as fast as they could through the trees. The wolf lept over my head and started chasing them. I wanted to slow it down, but I was too weak. One-by-one, I heard my best friends scream in pain. I watched as they collapsed onto the ground, and the moonlight shone on them. Now I felt fatigue take over, and I felt like passing out.

What have I done...? I thought, before blacking out.