Thalia sat quietly next to Ruth, her eyes fixed on the bonfire in the distance. Around them, laughter and cheerful conversations echoed—their classmates enjoying the night, bonding with new friends during their camping activity.
Ruth sighed as she ate her dinner, unable to ignore the lingering unease. Ericka had been looking at her strangely earlier—as if she had seen something… inhuman. She couldn't forget how pale Ericka had looked, like someone trapped in a terrifying nightmare.
Are we being haunted by a spirit? Ruth wondered, her food tasting like nothing now. Her appetite was gone.
She looked around the area—and her eyes met Ericka's.
"Are you okay?" she asked, unsure whether she was intruding.
Ericka seemed surprised by the question. Was I being too familiar? Ruth scratched her head awkwardly.
"Thank you for your concern," Ericka replied with a small nod.
"That's good," Ruth said with a brief smile.
She couldn't hold eye contact. Ericka quietly ate next to Jasmin, keeping to herself.
Ruth checked the time on her watch. There were still a few activities left before they could rest for the night. She chuckled faintly at the thought—the once quiet forest was now filled with laughter. Hopefully, it stays like this for the rest of the camp.
"Thalia," she called out softly.
Thalia turned to her, waiting.
"Come with me to the restroom. I need to pee."
Her friend gave her a look—hesitant, a little anxious.
"We need one more person," Thalia replied flatly.
"Huh? Why?" Ruth asked, confused.
"You weren't listening earlier, were you?" Thalia sighed.
Ruth stared at her, annoyed.
"We're required to go in groups of three if we leave the site or use the restroom," Thalia explained patiently.
"I really need to go. Who else wants to come?" Ruth said, fidgeting.
"I was just about to go too," Jasmin replied casually.
"Me three," Jasmin added. "I'm about to burst."
"Wait—we have to get the teacher's permission," Thalia said, stopping them. "We need to sign out and get the marker ribbon."
"Hurry up, then!" "Ruth," he said, desperate.
Thalia returned with three ribbon tags, which they clipped on their shirts. Ruth couldn't care less about the rules right now—she just wanted to pee.
Their teacher had built three outdoor restrooms nearby, complete with working lights and running water. Thankfully, the lines weren't too long.
Later that night, Ruth was relaxing when she noticed the noise around them was slowly fading. The laughter and voices were thinning.
She glanced at her watch. "Thalia?" She called.
It was nearly curfew—almost 9 p.m.
"Thalia!" She called again, louder.
Still no answer.
Then she noticed the restroom Jasmin had used was dark—its light had gone out.
Maybe she's still inside, Ruth thought.
"Hey!" Someone suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Startled, she spun around.
"Thalia! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Ruth clutched her chest, breathless. "Don't sneak up on me like that."
"Let's go," Thalia said, taking her hand.
Something about her seemed… off.
"Wait, are we just going to leave Jasmin?" Ruth asked.
Thalia didn't respond. She just kept pulling her along.
Ruth felt it again—that cold chill from earlier. Fear crawled up her spine.
Is this really Thalia? she asked herself.
She was too afraid to resist. The girl dragging her didn't feel like her friend. She felt paralyzed, unable to speak or scream.
Who keeps pretending to be Thalia?
She noticed the direction they were headed wasn't toward camp. They were being led deep into the dense, dark forest.
Then, the thing beside her began to hum—softly, eerily—as if enjoying itself. Even in the dark, Ruth felt the smile on its lips.
She was soaked in sweat, desperate to let go of the hand gripping hers. But fear kept her still. She wanted to cry.
Don't be afraid. We won't hurt you, a voice echoed in her mind.
She turned toward it.
Don't be afraid, little sister.
They reached a street, and Ruth froze.
This was the road from the news — the same one where two siblings had been brutally gunned down.
Then she saw her. A woman in white, stained with blood. Slowly approaching.
"Chesca…" the name drifted on the wind.
Ruth turned to the one holding her hand. It was the same bloodied woman from that morning.
She swallowed hard, heart thundering. Her throat was dry. She couldn't scream.
Don't be afraid. It's us.
One of the spirits gently touched her cheek.
Chesca, do you remember us? What did that demon do to you? Its voice was trembling with anger. Its face twisted.
"I—I don't know you," Ruth finally stammered. "I'm not Chesca…"
The spirit stepped closer.
This is me, Ellese. Your older sister. And Felisa…
Ruth's head throbbed with overwhelming pain. She clutched her skull, falling to her knees.
"My name is Ruth Dalia Dionson! I'm not Chesca!" She screamed, eyes tightly shut as the agony intensified.
You will remember us, Chesca. You are our only hope…
Am I losing my mind? she thought. Am I going crazy?
Everything fell into eerie silence.
"—uth… Ruth!"
Someone was shaking her shoulder.
"Ruth Dalia!"
Her eyes fluttered open, squinting against the light.
She sat up, dizzy. Her head was still spinning. She rubbed her eyes.
She was inside a large tent now—surrounded by school nurses. Thalia was beside her, face creased with worry.
"I… I left Jasmin…" Ruth gasped.
Everyone fell silent. Her words seemed to freeze the air.
What's going on? she thought frantically.
"Dionson, stay here and rest," a teacher said gently.
"Everyone else, go back to your tents and sleep," another instructed. The students obeyed, slowly filing out.
"I'll stay," Thalia said quietly.
The teacher nodded and left.
Silence settled between them.
Ruth waited for Thalia to speak.
"Jasmin is missing," Thalia finally said.
Ruth looked at her, shocked. Her hand trembled.
She was terrified.