Isaiah

Dude.

Oh, it's like breadcrumbs.

I took a careful step forward so the light could pass more easily through the fabric.

Couldn't have been a trick of the light.

Something big and dark was obviously crouched, with what I guessed was its front facing the open door.

I hated myself for not seeing it sooner.

It didn't move at all, or seem to breathe.

It just sat, waiting for us to investigate the display it had made.

Turn it off, I whispered again.

Chris continued staring, deaf to me.

Chris, I pleaded in a whisper.

A voice from nearby joined in.

that's fine that's sick dude that's awesome we both heard it and the blood fell in our veins it came from the tent a slow strained rasp of voice that sounded like a parrot copying a new word the sound clicked across my skin and crept into my ears the light flicked off with a click that was too loud

Chris grabbed my shoulder and I clenched my fists closed, painfully tight.

We stood there in complete darkness.

I didn't want to move.

I didn't want to stay.

My brain fought for control as my legs waited for a decision, rooted in place.

We breathed shallow, quiet breaths, blackness pressing on our eyes like water.

Sweat ran down my neck.