The dusty hideout went quiet after that shadow slunk off, but the air stayed thick with a creepy chill, like the walls were holding their breath. Caleb rubbed his sweaty hands on his jeans, the charm's pulse slowing but still nagging at him, its heat a weird comfort.
His mind wouldn't shut up—his mom's soft call from the woods, his dad's laugh fading into silence after they vanished, and that scrappy kid Ethan trading comics in a shop years back, now his battered buddy. Then there was her—the girl with red hair he'd glimpsed in those same woods, a blur of mystery he couldn't shake. He shook his head, glancing at the busted window, the blood-red moon taunting him. "We can't just sit here," he muttered, his voice rough, a spark of resolve cutting through his fear.
Jenny stirred, her bloody shoulder a dark smear on her jacket, her face pale and pinched with pain. She pushed to sit up, wincing hard. "I can't stay like this—my arm's killing me," she groaned, her voice a gritty mix of anger and desperation, her eyes wet but defiant.
Lila, leaning by the door with her plank, frowned, her red hair a wild frame around her tense face. "She's right. We need something—bandages, anything," she said, her tone firm but shaky, her gaze flicking to Tara. "You know this place—got any ideas?" she demanded, her distrust still sharp.
Tara uncurled from the wall, her tattered bag rustling, her big eyes darting nervously. "There's an old shed deeper in the ruins—might have supplies," she said, her voice quivering but steadier, like she was trying to prove herself. Ethan snorted, rubbing his leg, his scowl deepening. "Oh, great, another trap? Last time we followed you, we nearly died!" he snapped, his voice loud, laced with a bitter edge.
Tara's shoulders hunched, but she stood taller. "It's not a trap—I've seen stuff there! You wanna help her or not?" she shot back, her defiance shaky but real.Caleb stood, his legs still wobbly, the memory of the woods girl flickering again—her red hair catching the light, gone before he could blink. Seeing Lila now, something tugged, but he shoved it down, focusing on Jenny. "We'll check it. But you're leading, Tara—mess up, and we're done," he said, his voice cold, his trust a thin thread.
Lila nodded, slinging the plank over her shoulder. "Let's move. Jenny, lean on me," she offered, her tone softening just a bit, a hint of care breaking through.They stepped out, the ruins stretching dark and twisted, the moon lighting broken houses like skeletons.
Jenny limped beside Lila, her breath hitching. "If this hurts more, I'm outta here," she muttered, her toughness fraying. Caleb walked close, his eyes on the shadows, the charm warming again. "We'll make it—gotta," he said, his voice low, a memory of Ethan's grin over a comic trade flashing, grounding him. Ethan trailed, grumbling. "If I trip again, I'm blaming you, Tara," he growled, but his limp slowed him less.
A rustle came from ahead, and Tara froze, pointing to a rickety shed. "There—see?" she whispered, her fear mixing with hope. Lila tensed, plank ready. "Stay sharp," she hissed. Caleb's heart thudded, the woods girl's image blurring with Lila's stance, a mystery he couldn't solve yet. The shed loomed, its door creaking, and a soft clatter inside made Jenny gasp. "What now?" she whimpered. Caleb gripped the charm, his resolve hardening. "We find out," he muttered, the group edging forward, the ruins whispering secrets they weren't ready to hear.
The shed's shadow stretched long and crooked across the broken ground, its wooden walls sagging like they might collapse any second. Caleb's breath caught as a cold breeze swept through, carrying a faint scent of mold and something metallic, maybe blood.
He glanced at Jenny, her face tight with pain, and felt a pang of urgency—he couldn't let her down, not after dragging her through this mess. Lila moved ahead, her plank raised like a shield, her eyes scanning the darkness with a mix of determination and unease. "Keep it together, everyone," she said, her voice steady but carrying a tremor she couldn't hide.
Ethan muttered under his breath, "If there's a ghost in there, I'm outta luck," his tone half-joking, half-serious, as he limped closer.Tara hesitated, then stepped toward the shed, her bag rustling softly. "I've peeked inside before—there's old crates, maybe tools," she said, her voice low, her hands fidgeting with nervous energy. Caleb narrowed his eyes, his distrust lingering. "Tools or traps—pick one," he said, his voice gruff, keeping her at arm's length.
The creak of the shed door grew louder, and Jenny clutched Lila's arm, her breath shallow. "I don't like this… what if it's waiting?" she whispered, her fear raw, her body trembling. Lila patted her hand, a rare gesture of comfort. "We'll handle it—stay close," she replied, her tone softer, a crack in her tough shell.
As they neared, the clatter inside turned into a rhythmic tap, like something—or someone—moving. Caleb's mind raced back to the woods, that girl's fleeting figure, and now Lila's presence felt like a puzzle piece he couldn't fit. He shook it off, focusing on the shed. "Ready or not, we're going in," he said, his voice firm, the charm's warmth spreading as they crossed the threshold