A Walk in the Woods

"You know, we probably should've stayed on the trail." Jessica struggled to catch her breath as she bumbled along the jagged forest floor. “I’m pretty sure we’re lost.”

Bryan rolled his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous, I know exactly where we’re going.”

No I don’t, he thought, fighting against his own panic as the couple wandered aimlessly through the trees. They were lost, and he knew it; lost in miles of untamed, unforgiving wilderness. He took Jessica’s hand and pulled her along as the clouds grew dark above their heads.

It wasn’t long before the thunder started to crack.

“If we die out here, I’m going to kill you.” Jessica pulled her hand away from Bryan’s. “We should just stay here and camp for the night.” She dropped the heavy hiking pack off her shoulders and began pulling their small pop-up tent from within. “I’m tired, and it’s not getting any lighter out here.”

Bryan sighed, exhausted, as he too dropped his pack. “Fine,” he said gruffly, still trying to maintain his composure.

Night fell quickly as the rain began to pour over their heads, lightning ripping the sky. “Bry, I’m scared.” Jessica shuddered, a chill stinging her bones like an ice pick. “I want to go home.” She sobbed softly into his shoulder as he placed his arm around her, leaning them both back into the soft comfort of their sleeping bag.

Neither of them noticed the shadows of the wolf pack lurking just outside, circling the tent like vultures in the darkness.

---

“We never saw them again.” The park rangers, surrounded by police officers, dropped their heads in despair, photos of a young, missing couple in their hands.