The Hunt

Chapter 3

Dawn. I hate the sunlight. I especially hate it when the sun shines in my window. Wait... the sun?! I look over at the time and realize I've slept through the entire morning. I groggily pull myself out of bed and go to the small kitchen to make coffee. I turn the coffee maker on and look out at my fire that is still going. I could've sworn I put the fire out. Grabbing my coffee, I head outside and sit down at the small raging fire. I notice something on the ground in front of my chair. Is it really that damn squirrel again?! "This isn't funny. You can stop now!" My voice was met by nothing but birds chirping in the trees above. I pick the squirrel up and throw it in the trash. I walk up into the forest to grab more wood to keep the fire going. After bringing more wood down, I decide to clean the camper thoroughly. I begin by putting earbuds in, turning loud rock on, and getting to work by vacuuming first. Once finished, I begin washing all the dishes in the camper. Contrary to what most people think, I actually like cleaning as it gives me time to myself to contemplate and jam out. I finally finished washing dishes and check the time. 4 PM. Time for dinner and a drink. I grab a steak and season it with some pepper and garlic salt. I go back out to the fire which has reduced to hot coals and place my campfire stove over the top of the firepit. I begin to cook my steak, enjoying the sunset and the warmth provided by the fire. I finish cooking and eat my meal as dusk falls over the valley the camper resides in. I finish eating and get up to get more wood. "What...?" All my wood is gone. I had enough to last all evening, but now it's gone. I look around to be sure I didn't forget where I put the firewood in the first place. Sure enough, it was nowhere to be found. Grudgingly, I go up the hill with my phone as my flashlight to get more firewood. As soon as I crest the hill, I see my firewood stacked perfectly at the bottom, just out of sight of my camper. I pick up the first load of wood, not amused at the pranks someone has been pulling on me. I turned to carry the wood back to the camper, but before I could begin walking I hear a voice. "Hello there." A feminine voice says out of nowhere. I jump and freeze, dropping my only source of light and all the firewood in my arms. I stand still facing away from the voice, listening to my instincts that tell me to stay while also ignoring the ones that tell me to run. I feel her breath on the back of my neck as she takes a deep breath. "You smell even more delicious in person." That's it. I'm out. I make a run for the camper knowing that if I can get back and lock myself in there's a gun I can use to protect myself. I make it all the way back to the firepit when I feel my leg being yanked out from underneath me. I'm done for.