Isaiah

I turned around and Chris was gone.

I heard a creak behind me.

A feeling came over me like I'd missed a step on the stairs.

For some reason, I couldn't turn around.

I started walking straight ahead and the rope swing soon came into my view again.

I was aware I was in a nightmare.

The rope swing slowly lifted itself up into the trees and I watched it disappear.

I walked over and stood beneath where it had been and there was a rustle above me.

As I lifted my eyes to the canopy, a black figure with the head of a cat came hurtling downwards with its mouth open horrifically wide.

One of its teeth touched my left eye and I tore myself awake, gasping as I sat up in the tent.

My back was damp with sweat and Chris was asleep next to me.

The lantern was still on and I could see our backpacks at the end of the tent.

Took a moment to breathe and then let myself lay back down.

I had thumping on the floor a little too hard.

I winced and reached for the bottle of water to my side, down in a few mouthfuls.

I couldn't fall asleep with the glow of the lantern on my eyelids, so I sat up and searched the tent for it.

quickly realized the light was coming from outside.

Chris, I said, still confused from sleep, mumbled something in reply.

Chris, where's the lantern?

He said slowly and sleepily before turning over.