Becky handed a long fork to everyone and then took a hotdog out of the package. She passed the package of hotdogs to Carol and then held her fork and dog over the fire.
“Anyone want a bun?” Bernie asked as he pulled one out of the bag.
“No, I’m good with just a dog,” Becky said.
“Yeah, same here,” Carol licked her fingers.
“I’ll take one and the ketchup,” Josh said as he got up to get the ketchup from the cooler.
The evening started to cool down a bit while they finished eating their dinner. Carol got up and grabbed her sweater out of their tent and put it on. Bernie put another log on the fire to make it nice and hot, while Josh chugged the rest of his third beer. Along with the snap and crackle of the campfire, they could hear some crickets chirping not to far off. They would also hear the occasional croak of a bullfrog too so there must have been a pond or river not to far away.
As they relaxed and talked, another hour passed by. Josh suddenly asked Becky if she wanted to take a walk. He was itching to ask her to marry him.
“Sure, but not to far,” Becky said.
“No, just a short walk,” Josh smiled.
Carol smiled at Becky and then winked at Bernie when she looked away. Josh grabbed the lantern from their tent and then took Becky by the hand. He walked with her to the opening in the trees that he found earlier that day. The spot where the sky was more visible from the ground. The moon wasn’t quite full, but the sky was bursting with stars. It created a nice glow that still made the night romantic.
Josh set the lantern down on the ground and brought up his and Becky’s first date. He told her that two years ago when they first started dating, he knew that she was the perfect woman. He took her by the hands and told her that he considers her to be a blessing in his life. Becky smiled and continued to listen to Josh as he told her what a special person she is. He then, took a step back, pulled a box out of the front pocket of his pants, and kneeled down.
“Rebecca Ann, will you be my wife?” Josh held out the ring.
Becky was happily surprised and accepted his offer with a nod. But before the celebration could begin, they heard the breaking of some twigs not to far from them.
“Bernie, is that you?” Josh called out.
The two of them stood still and waited for a response. It was eerily quiet now and neither Bernie or Carol answered him. The cracking and crunching of the twigs and leaves however got closer. Becky held onto Joshes arm and glanced around.
“Carol, Bernie, this isn’t funny you guys,” Becky said.
Just then, they both heard a deep growl in front of them.
“Did you hear that?” Becky asked.
“Yes, but I don’t see anything,” Josh looked all around them.
As they slowly stepped backwards, they now heard a growl behind them.
“Is there more than one?” Becky frantically asked.
“I don’t know, I still can’t see anything,” Josh said.
Becky grabbed onto Joshes hand and held it tight, “we need to make a run for it,”
“Yeah, but which way?” Josh said.
They both stood still and listened again. When they heard the growl again in front of them, Josh pulled Becky to the left. They ran as fast as they could through the trees and brush. The only light they had now was from the moon and stars. They heard what ever it was following them but still couldn’t see it. Becky suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground. Josh tried to help her get up when he was quickly jolted up into the trees.
“Josh,” Becky yelled.
Becky got up and looked up into the trees, but didn’t see Josh. It was like he vanished into the air.
“Josh, where are you?” Becky called out again.
Suddenly, Becky heard and felt a gust of wind come upon her. When she looked up into the trees again, she felt moisture hit her face and arms.
“What is that? Is it raining?” Becky said and then looked at her arm.
Seeing the dark color of the drops on her arms, Becky knew that it wasn’t water. She wiped her face and looked at her hand, “what is this?”
Just then, Becky heard something hit the ground behind her. She turned around and didn’t see anything right away. When she took three steps, she saw it. Becky screamed and ran the opposite direction.
Back at the campsite, Carol and Bernie were making out in their tent when they heard a scream.
“I think that was Becky,” Carol said and crawled out of the tent, “Becky.”
“Wait a minute,” Bernie said and crawled out after her.
“I know that was Becky. She needs our help,” Carol panicked.
Bernie grabbed Carols arm, “I know that but there is something out there with a deep growl so we need a plan.”
“Okay, what do we do?” Carol said.
“You try and call for help. I’ll grab a light and carefully look around,” Bernie said.
Carol picked her cell phone up from the folding chair by the fire and tried 911. It sounded like the call was going through until it disconnected. Carol hit 911 again but this time there was no connection.
“No service,” Carol grumbled and tossed her phone back on the chair.
“Bernie,” Carol called out.
Just like before, Carol heard Becky scream again. This time she seemed further away.
“Becky,” Carol called out.
Carol suddenly realized that she was standing there all alone, “Bernie? Where are you? Becky? Josh? where are you guys?”
Carol heard no response from anyone so she grabbed her phone from the chair and tried 911 again, but got nothing. She glanced all around her but saw and heard nothing. The eerie quiet made her resort back to the fire.
“Whatever is out there, maybe the fire will keep it away,” Carol sat down on the ground right next to the campfire.
Please join me again for Chapter 4 of: It’s In The Forest.