Hiding in the shadows

Chapter 1

Chapter one

It was a bitter sweet summer day. My family and I were on our annual camping trip. it was just the three of us Mom, Natalee, and I. We were setting up in a nearby clearing in the woods. This place brought so many memories, different ones each year.

''Tabitha, can you help me set up the tent?'' Mom said as she struggled to put the tent up on her own.

''Sure, why not?'' I shrugged as I walked over to the tent. It always amuses me to see mom struggling to put up a tent. After all of these summer camping trips mom still dosen't know how to put up a tent.

''You know mom, it never hurts to read the directions.'' I said while I inserted the stick connected to the tent into the ground. 

"I don't need directions."

"Apparently you do." I told mom as I took over the section that she was struggling with.

"Thanks." Mom said as she stood up.

"For what? Having the skill to put up a tent. Thanks." I said. Getting up, I walked over to my sister Natalee. Like always, she was drawing in her little skecth pad. Natalee has raw talent, I'll have to admit, but she always has her nose stuck in that book.

"What are you up to?" I said taking a seat next to her on the nearby log.

"Nothing."

"As always.'' I muttered.

"Tabitha can you help get the things out of the car?"

"I would but Natalee, over here, isn't doing anything." I said pointing at Natalee.

Mom sighed. "Natalee, sweetie. Help me get the things out of the car.

"What?" Natalee said.

"Things in the car. Lets go."

"I'm busy."

"I wasn't asking you. I'm telling you."

Natalee groaned, throwing her book down. "Thanks a lot."

"Stop being so over-dramatic." I told her. Watching her walk away, I felt a suddened urge to look into her book. It'll only take a second or so...

"Tabitha." Mom said with her arms crossed, "You too."

"Ugh."

"Come on."

"I don't want to."

"Tabitha."

"Mom. Please."

Mom sighed. "Fine. Your packing up when we leave." Mom said leaving the clearing.

Mom and I don't have the greatest relationship. Ever since last year her and I just became really distant. That year wasn't really a great time for us. My father died and it really pulled at my heart to think about him sometimes.

My father was the only person who understood me. Sometime I feel like I'm the reason he died. That why it's so hard for me to walk out of the damn clearing. This place has became too much for me to handled.

Looking down the opposite trail from where mom walked off. The trail I've been avoiding to walk ever since. Just the sight of the trail was now enchanting. Getting up from the log, I decided to walk the trail...

It happened last year....(flashback)

It was our annual family camping trip to the woods. It was a dark and eerie day, it was going to rain that day. I just knew. My family was getting everything set up before the downpour.