Jake’s eyes widened, pupils blowing wide like saucers. The moonlight reflected off of them, magnifying his fear. It was the same raw fear that gnawed at my ribs like a bunch of caged rodents desperate to escape, visceral and painful and breathtaking.

The dark woods that surrounded us were no longer romantic. Every shadow belonged to a bloodthirsty monster, eyes peering at me through the branches and bushes.

I dashed for our clothes, throwing mine on and tossing Jake his. This was too much. Way too much. I had somehow managed to lull myself into thinking that everything was fine, that someone out there wasn’t maniacally obsessed with making my life a living hell.

Eric was inside the living room, having a midnight snack, when we burst in. I was sure I looked like someone who’d just come across a dead body: pale and wide-eyed and shaky. Eric stood up from the couch, the bag of chips dropping to the floor as he came over to my side.

“What happened out there?”

Jake handed him the phone as I made my way to the couch on trembling legs. I collapsed onto the seat, using the armrest to support me. I couldn’t peel my eyes off the wide-open windows that looked out into the dark woods.

Where were they? Was the person watching me right this very moment? Could they see me and I couldn’t see them?

My spine shook like the tail of a rattlesnake. I clenched my fists and tried to keep myself from passing out.

“Jesus Christ.” Eric handed the phone back to Jake. He didn’t even take a second to put on his shoes, going straight to the door and throwing it open, walking out onto the deck even though I offered a couple of weak protests.

He came back in five minutes, concern magnified across his bearded face. I didn’t think I’d ever seen Eric this shaken up. He was always the stony and solid support for the group, having consoled me and Tristan through a variety of different problems and crises. He never cracked, his face never showing fear.

Until tonight.

“I didn’t see anyone or find any signs of anyone being around. It’s a big property, though…”

Jake was sitting at my side, an arm around my shoulders. He pressed his lips gently against the side of my head. It wasn’t really a kiss, more like a silent sign of comfort, a life raft thrown into the middle of these turbulent waters. I leaned into him, but instead of finding comfort, I turned icy-cold, my entire body turning into a taut wire ready to be snapped by the slightest movement.