Jonas

I wasn't expecting to find much, but I figured I'd at least spot something.

Maybe a flashlight someone left behind, or a fire pit, or even just tire tracks.

But there was nothing.

No signs of anyone.

No light source.

The ground was indisturbed, covered in alpine needles and patches of moss.

I was just about to head back when I noticed something up in the trees.

About thirty feet off the ground, wrapped tight around a thick branch, was a piece of twine, just dangling there, swaying a little.

It looked all faded, frayed, like it had been there for years.

No idea how anyone would have gotten it up there.

It was tied in a tight loop, almost like a noose, but I didn't want to dwell on that idea.

That night I barely slept.

There were no lights this time, but around midnight I started hearing something moving outside the trailer.

Not crashing through the brush or anything loud, just slow, careful footsteps pacing, circling, the kind of movement that says someone's trying not to be heard but isn't quite pulling it off.

I stayed in the cot, hot, thudding, listening.

At one point I sat up, grabbed my flashlight, and swung the door open.

Nothing but cold air and trees.

The steps stopped as soon as I moved.

I stood there for a long time, watching, but there was nothing.

Two nights later, I got back after work and something fell off.