My vision blurs. Beads of sweat are slick on my forehead, but an odd breeze forces it’s way across my neck. I blink the deliriousness out of my eyes and look for the source of the weird wind. The tent still stands around me, but 3 jagged lines tear the fabric. Shreds of moonlight scatter the floor of the tent.

I look around.

Where did everyone go?

A low growling resonates into my bones. The wind carries the sound. My eyes widen with the fear that strikes my gut.

Suddenly, a loud humming sound goes off. Frantically, I searched everywhere, throwing objects in every direction. Bingo: the walkey-talkies.

I push the button down, “Hello? Where is everybody?” I whisper into the device.

Nothing but the sound of a TV with no signal.

“Hello?” I try again.

Listening harder I notice something. Something that gave me hope but soon took it away. The noise went up and down. Up and down. Breathing. Someone was breathing on the other end.

“I hear your breath. Stop messing around.” I confront the noise and soon hear it stop.

Cackling. Deep horrible cackling. The voice of a maniac.

“Stop. Where’s my parents.” I demanded answers.

“You’ll find out. Soon.” Undoubtedly a male, his voice sinks deep into me with its low hum.

“Tell me where. Now. Leave us alone.” I try to keep the strength in my voice, but it falters. The mike goes silent.

I wait. Listening to the sounds of nature’s unruly creatures. The crickets quiet and the animals of the night scurry away. I strain my eyes, peering into the moon-lit forest, looking for signs of danger.

Suddenly all noise seize to exist. It was as if my ears no longer heard. I felt cold, calmly hands clasp both my shoulders. I froze, not daring to make a move.

“Soon.”

“Soon.” The voice behind me echoed through the walkey-talky. Without looking back, I knew the culprit wore a sickeningly vile smile.