WEBVTT
00:00:01.439 --> 00:00:04.480
They arrived at the western trailhead early in the morning.
00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:08.480
They parked their car at the eastern terminus and took a shuttle to the other end.
00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:13.359
When they stepped out of the shuttle, a cool breeze slid across the back of John's neck.
00:00:13.679 --> 00:00:16.879
He adjusted his jacket and slid his ruck onto his back.
00:00:17.280 --> 00:00:22.320
As they entered the trail, John reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of his fiancee Vanessa.
00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:25.519
It was something he always carried camping.
00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:29.280
He rubbed a finger across the picture and tucked it away.
00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:31.199
Their pace was quick in the beginning.
00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:33.600
Duke coated the front of John's shoes.
00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:35.920
You remember that time we hiked Mount Mincy?
00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:36.960
Chris asked.
00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:42.000
Yeah, and that hornet's nest was on the ground right in the middle of the trail, John said.
00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:43.679
We ran right through it.
00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:45.600
Why didn't we just go around?
00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:48.399
Because we were dumb, John said.
00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:50.640
They laughed and kept moving.
00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:56.799
As the miles accumulated, words were replaced with gestures, and gestures replaced with the sound of their breathing.
00:00:57.039 --> 00:01:01.840
They covered about eight miles the first day before daylight faded, and they set up camp for the night.
00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:03.679
Chris made a fire.
00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:08.799
John boiled two packs of ramen in a jet boil, and they ate and watched the fire dance.
00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:12.719
An owl hooted somewhere off in the distance.
00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:16.400
The chorus of coyotes howling echoed between the trees.
00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:19.680
When the fire died, they made their way into their tents.
00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:23.599
John zipped up his tent and crawled into his sleeping bag.
00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:27.680
He listened to the trees bristle, and it wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep.
00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:31.439
John woke to the sound of brush shifting.
00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:35.840
He opened his eyes and wasn't sure he heard anything.
00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:39.359
A few moments later, something moved again.
00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:41.599
It was behind his tent.
00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:44.959
His stomach suddenly felt heavy.
00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:46.400
He turned his head.
00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:48.239
His breath stopped.
00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:54.000
The brush rattled again, but this time it was on the other side of his tent.
00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:57.439
He sat up and stared at the back of his tent.
00:01:58.159 --> 00:01:59.840
His body shivered.
00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:03.599
Hey Bear, he said, his voice loud and firm.
00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:06.959
The wind died and the night birds went silent.
00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:09.599
Nothing moved in the trees overhead.
00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:11.360
John listened.
00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:15.840
He heard the sound of Chris shifting in his sleeping bag in his tent nearby.
00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:18.719
Silence hung like lead.
00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:24.639
Then the sound of rattling brush again, farther off and moving away.
00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:28.960
An owl hooted, and the wind returned.
00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:35.439
John listened to the tree shivering overhead and let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:38.479
He lay back down and fell asleep.
00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:41.680
When he woke again, it was pitch black.
00:02:41.919 --> 00:02:44.080
It took a moment for his eyes to adjust.
00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:47.599
When they did, his breath hitched in his throat.
00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:52.719
The face of a woman, her features shrouded in black, hovered over him.
00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:57.360
Her long black hair hung from her head and brushed the sides of his face.
00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:00.639
He tried to move, but his body locked.
00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:04.800
A weight pressed into his chest and his lungs worked, but found nothing.
00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:08.479
He went to scream, but no sound came.
00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:12.639
John awoke suddenly in a cold sweat.
00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:15.199
He glanced around his tent.
00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:16.879
It was empty.
00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:22.800
Morning light filtered in through the tent, and he could see the shapes of the trees through the thin fabric.
00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:26.159
He went to unzip his sleeping bag.
00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:28.800
It was already partially unzipped.
00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:30.639
The cold stung.
00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:36.719
He stared at it a moment and saw a strand of long dark hair resting on the front of his sleeping bag.
00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:38.719
He picked it up.
00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:42.240
He stared at it for a long moment and then tossed it away.
00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:46.639
He changed into dry clothes and unzipped his tent and stepped out.
00:03:47.520 --> 00:03:50.800
John walked to the edge of their campsite and looked into the trees.
00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:54.639
He walked toward where they had left the bear canister the night before.
00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:57.840
He took in the early morning stillness.
00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:04.479
The sky was red in the east, and shades of gold stretched from it, pushing the last remnants of the dark back across the sky.
00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:08.479
He found the bear canister a few feet away from where he placed it.
00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:10.639
It was turned on to its side.
00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:13.759
He hefted the canister and inspected it.
00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:15.039
No damage.
00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:18.480
He walked back to camp with the canister under his arm.
00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:22.079
Chris was already out of his tent and boiling water.
00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:24.399
Morning, John said.
00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:28.399
Chris nodded and poured the hot water into a mug.
00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:32.480
John unscrewed the bear canister and pulled out two coffee packets.
00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:37.199
Chris handed him the mug, and John gave him a coffee packet in return.
00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.319
They drank their coffee without much exchange.
00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:42.319
Birds began to chirp.
00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:44.720
Squirrels flicked between branches.
00:04:44.959 --> 00:04:46.959
The sun poked through the trees.
00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:51.199
They packed up their camp and prepared themselves for the miles ahead.
00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:57.680
They marched through the forest, following a skinny dirt path that wound through mountain laurel and black huckleberry.
00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:02.560
Dense hemlocks and black cherry trees covered the landscape on either side.
00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:07.680
Something nagged at John all morning, but he couldn't find the right way to bring it up.
00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:10.639
The words came to him without warning.
00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:15.279
Did you uh hear anything last night?
00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:17.199
Like what?
00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:21.199
I thought I heard something around our campsite last night.
00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:22.480
It's the woods.
00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:24.639
There's always stuff out there.
00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:26.959
John hesitated.
00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:32.959
It felt like something was checking us out.
00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:35.120
Chris laughed.
00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:36.879
It probably was.
00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:38.720
It was probably a raccoon.
00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:40.240
He turned toward John.
00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:43.199
Did you forget to put something in the bear canister?
00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:44.800
Nope.
00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:48.240
Chris turned back to the trail ahead.
00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:50.240
I'm sure it was nothing.
00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:55.120
Still, something didn't sit right.
00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:00.959
He thought to mention the woman in his tent, but he knew it was just a dream.
00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:05.839
And still, he could remember the feeling of her hair brushing his face.
00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:08.319
He shook his head.
00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:12.560
He looked forward and focused on watching his boots rise and fall in front of him.
00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:15.279
He watched them longer than he intended to.
00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:20.079
The miles accumulated, and John huffed at each twist and turn of the trail.
00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:24.720
The rocks and roots that jutted from the soil began to bite through the soles of his boots.
00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:27.600
His pack dug into his shoulders.
00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:31.360
Chris was about twenty feet ahead on the trail when he stopped.
00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:34.079
John exhaled through his nose.
00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:37.759
Chris crept into the brush and stood there.
00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:43.199
John walked up behind him and saw he was looking down an old trail overgrown with green briar.
00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:46.079
This is it, Chris said.
00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:50.240
John looked over Chris's shoulder and down the old trail.
00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:53.199
He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.
00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:55.839
The trail looked forgotten.
00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:58.800
You sure this is it?
00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:00.560
Chris didn't answer.
00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:05.759
He hesitated a moment and then pushed through the green briar and started down the trail.
00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:11.759
John followed his lead, keeping his hands in front of him to block the branches from swinging back into his face.
00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:17.759
Mountain laurel and rhododendron pressed in on the old logging trail from both sides.
00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:23.040
The trees around it stood black and were lined with moss, mushrooms growing at their bases.
00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:28.639
Some were filled with holes from termites and dead falls scattered the landscape on either side.
00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:30.240
They pressed on.
00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:33.600
John felt his chest strap begin to dig into his neck.
00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:35.439
He went to adjust it.
00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:38.560
He pulled too hard and the strap snapped off.
00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:42.800
He cursed and tried to slide the buckle back onto the shoulder strap.
00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:45.040
He couldn't get it back on.
00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:47.839
He stopped walking and tried again.
00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:50.079
It still wouldn't latch.
00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:53.920
We'll fix it when we make camp, Chris said, looking back.
00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:57.920
John looked up, he nodded and started walking again.
00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:01.120
The pack bit deeper into his shoulders with each step.
00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:05.680
They followed the old trail until it came to a creek and bent west.
00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:08.879
The creek turned sharply to the north where it met the trail.
00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:10.879
The water flowed quickly.
00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:15.120
Rocks emerged from the surface of the water and it flowed around them effortlessly.
00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:20.319
The sun had already reached its highest point in the sky and had begun its descent toward the western horizon.
00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:22.560
Chris stared down the creek.
00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:26.959
This way, Chris said, stepping off trail.
00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:31.199
They followed the creek west and John's feet throbbed with each step.
00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:35.600
Daylight flattened, and when the creek turned left, Chris stopped.
00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.919
Here it is, Chris said.
00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:39.840
The sight was beautiful.
00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:43.919
It sat on a small ridge above the flowing creek next to a babbling brook.
00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:46.720
The ground was level and the soil soft.
00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:49.840
John listened to the sounds of the creek and smiled.
00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:55.440
Get ready for the best night's sleep you've ever had listening to this creek all night, Chris said.
00:08:56.080 --> 00:09:00.000
John laughed, and then he groaned as he slid his pack off his shoulders.
00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:03.120
They set up camp and gathered some firewood.
00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:06.559
They ate and stored the canister before the dark came.
00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:09.759
John sat on the ground and leaned against his pack.
00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:15.519
Chris poked the fire, and the owls returned, and the trees stirred from a gentle breeze.
00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:19.200
The logs popped in the fire, and the brook babbled on.
00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:23.120
They took it all in without saying much.
00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:27.600
Only when John noticed the silence between them did he speak.
00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:29.519
This place is beautiful.
00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.240
I see why you wouldn't shut up about it all winter.
00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:34.320
They laughed and Chris nodded.
00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.840
I told you.
00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:40.080
Chris pulled a marijuana vape pen from his pack and took a long pull.
00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:42.799
He exhaled the smoke over the fire.
00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:44.720
Then he held it out to John.
00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:46.320
John took it.
00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:48.240
He pulled and looked up.
00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:52.320
He exhaled and watched the smoke drift toward the night sky.
00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:56.320
Bright stars pockmarked the black canvas overhead.
00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:58.399
How's your dad doing?
00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:00.080
John asked.
00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:02.559
Chris didn't answer right away.
00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:06.000
He has his good days and his bad days.
00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:09.039
Is he responding well to treatment?
00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:11.519
We don't know yet.
00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:15.679
A moment of silence lingered between them.
00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:19.120
I'm sorry, man, John said.
00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.600
Chris looked away.
00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:25.440
It's been hard on my mom.
00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.679
John reached over and slapped his shoulder lightly.
00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.600
It'll be okay.
00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:34.080
I'm here if you guys need anything.
00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:36.639
Thanks, man, Chris said.
00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:40.000
Chris stared back at the fire and his eyes glistened.
00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:43.679
John breathed in the smell of the campfire and leaned back.
00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:48.399
They were quiet for a while, then Chris started talking again.
00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:56.320
While Chris was telling John about his planned trip to the Netherlands next year, John heard a strange sound come from the forest.
00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:58.159
He perked up.
00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:01.200
He stopped listening to Chris mid sentence.
00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:05.600
By the time Chris finished, the sound was gone.
00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:09.039
Sorry, I missed that, John said.
00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:14.320
Chris laughed and started talking again, but John wasn't present.
00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:17.519
He strained his ears for something else.
00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:20.399
He heard it again while Chris was going on.
00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.720
Laughter.
00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:29.600
Distant, barely audible, but still too close.
00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:33.039
John stared off into the trees.
00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:35.200
Chris noticed.
00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:37.759
He stopped talking and turned around.
00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:39.120
Did you hear that?
00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:40.720
John asked.
00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:43.679
Chris turned back and squinted at him.
00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:44.960
Hear what?
00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:47.440
I heard someone.
00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:50.240
Chris looked around.
00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:52.799
I didn't hear anything.
00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:54.480
John didn't speak.
00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.000
He waited.
00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:59.200
A tightness spidered across the top of his back.
00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:02.879
The creek flowed on and the trees shifted in the wind.
00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.960
A fire licked the soil.
00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:07.600
John leaned back against his pack.
00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:11.039
Gotta be the weed, man, Chris said, grinning.
00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:13.440
John forced a smile.
00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.519
The forest was quiet.
00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:18.399
John told himself he didn't hear what he thought he did.
00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:22.000
It was just the sounds of the forest at night playing tricks on him.
00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:26.000
Yeah, I probably smoked too much, he said.
00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:28.879
Wouldn't be the first time, Chris said.
00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:32.080
John put his head back and stared up at the stars.
00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:36.399
Pleiades stood out like a bright smear in the night sky.
00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:39.120
He breathed out through his nose.
00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.960
The trees began to lean.
00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:46.320
A sharp breeze blew through the camp, and it carried with it a sound of laughter.
00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:49.279
John sat up and his breath seized.
00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.720
There it is.
00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:53.840
Chris's expression flickered.
00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:59.360
I didn't hear anything, but it's probably just someone out here doing exactly what we're doing.
00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.440
A woman out here alone?
00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:02.879
John asked.
00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:04.879
We don't know she's alone.
00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:07.360
We know we aren't.
00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:09.600
No one spoke for a long moment.
00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:14.159
The fire burned low, and Chris added the last of the wood to it.
00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:17.200
He stoked at the life with a stick.
00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:20.720
It's not anything to get worked up about, Chris said.
00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.480
It's just odd.
00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:24.480
We're miles off trail.
00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:27.600
We aren't the only ones to go off trail.
00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:29.840
John didn't reply.
00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:32.000
He stared off into the darkness.
00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:36.960
He realized then the owls had stopped hooting, and the wind had stopped, and the trees stood still.
00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:40.080
Even the crickets ceased chirping.
00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.720
John kept his eyes on the trees.
00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:45.919
The creak suddenly felt too loud.
00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:50.720
The wind whipped and it nipped at his collar, then died again.
00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:54.720
Now hooted, and the sound died mid-call.
00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.919
The quiet echoed.
00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:01.600
Chris stoked the dying fire again.
00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:06.000
Maybe the coyotes will sing again for us tonight, Chris said.
00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.120
John didn't say anything.
00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:11.360
He kept his eyes on the trees.
00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:14.639
Woods will get to you at night if you let it, Chris said.
00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:18.879
Only thing out here is probably a raccoon trying to solve your bear canister.
00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:22.000
John grunted in acknowledgement.
00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.919
Then he heard it again.
00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:25.600
Laughter.
00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:28.080
But this time from behind him.
00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:30.159
He spun toward it.
00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:33.919
Nothing moved to the edge of the dying firelight.
00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:39.200
I heard it that time, Chris said.
00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:44.159
John turned to look at him and found the fear already there.
00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.879
And they both turned toward the trees.
00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:53.360
The light flickered, and Chris proud of the fire again and came alive for one last gasp.
00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:58.720
John watched the darkness close in as the flame went out.
00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.120
He listened hard.
00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:03.360
Nothing.
00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:07.200
Chris's voice broke the silence.
00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:10.240
Maybe we should get out of here.
00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:12.639
John glanced at him.
00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:16.639
We have our headlamps, Chris said.
00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:20.320
It's only a couple miles down the creek back to the trail.
00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:22.480
John nodded.
00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:23.360
Yeah.
00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:24.639
Let's go.
00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:28.559
They packed up their tents and stuffed their bags quickly.
00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:32.399
They turned on their headlamps and followed the creek back toward the old trail.
00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:34.879
Their lights scanned the trees as they walked.
00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.879
They didn't speak.
00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:41.919
Each time the wind crossed the back of John's neck, it felt like a hand.
00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:44.720
They came to where the creek bent north.
00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:46.240
They scanned the ground.
00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.240
The path wasn't there.
00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:50.799
This is it, Chris said.
00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:52.240
Where's the trail?
00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.799
John looked around.
00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.519
Shone his light on the creek.
00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:01.120
The creek did bend north, but gradually.
00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.399
I don't think this is it, John said.
00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:08.559
This is definitely where the trail was, Chris said.
00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.720
I remember this tree stump.
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.440
John looked at the stump and thought he remembered seeing it too.
00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:21.200
He shone his light through the forest and saw familiar dead fall and trees he didn't recognize.
00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:26.720
He cast his light on the ground, scanning for any sign of the old trail.
00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.039
There was nothing.
00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:34.960
Only long Timothy grass and ferns that looked as if they hadn't been disturbed in a decade.
00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:42.480
He scanned the ground again, and his light found a small depression in the tall grass that wound its way to the right.
00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.480
He walked toward it.
00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.559
It was nothing.
00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:52.879
He saw another tree stump a few feet ahead that looked similar to the one Chris remembered.
00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:56.080
He approached it and shone his light on the ground.
00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:59.840
His beam cast on more grass and more ferns.
00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.200
No trail.
00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:06.720
He swept the forest, and it felt like his beam wouldn't reach as far as it should.
00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:11.599
The sounds of the creek suddenly felt like it was coming from all around him.
00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.759
He stepped and the soil seemed to give way.
00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:18.319
The forest tilted and he nearly fell.
00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:22.559
He breathed out through his mouth and righted himself.
00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.960
He looked back at Chris.
00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.200
There's nothing here.
00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:29.839
Chris didn't say anything.
00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:34.160
He spun slowly in a circle, shining his light at the ground as he turned.
00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:37.839
Maybe it's up a bit further, John said.
00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:40.480
No, it was right here.
00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:44.000
John glanced around the forest again.
00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:48.640
He reached to adjust his pack on his shoulders and felt his hands tremble.
00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:54.960
Let's just work our way back to camp before we get more lost, John said.
00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:58.400
They shone their lights back down the creek from where they came.
00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:01.200
Neither man moved nor spoke.
00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:06.240
The wind tested their clothes, and John pulled his jacket tighter across his chest.
00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.559
He moved first.
00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:12.400
He walked slowly, following the creek back to the campsite.
00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.680
For a moment he thought he might lose his balance.
00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:17.680
Chris followed.
00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:35.839
The skin beneath his collar grew tight as he hooked his tent poles in and raised it from the ground.
00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:40.640
They finished setting up their tents and shoved their packs inside.
00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.880
John unzipped his tent and moved in.
00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:55.039
He crawled into his sleeping bag and forced his eyes shut.
00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:58.160
The sound of the brook crowded his head.
00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:02.880
A heavy gust of wind shifted the canopy above, and John jumped.
00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:05.119
He focused on his breathing.
00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.960
The cold stung his lungs.
00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:10.559
The fluttering in his chest slowly became less intense.
00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.519
His muscles relaxed.
00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:17.920
He lay in silence for a long time, staring up at the ceiling of his tent.
00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:21.119
Crickets began to chirp again.
00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:24.559
John felt something cold wind up and down his spine.
00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:28.960
He realized then that his sleeping pad was underinflated.
00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.400
He fumbled for the air vent in the dark.
00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.480
He found it without turning his headlamp on.
00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:38.319
He moved off his sleeping pad and blew into the vent.
00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.640
He felt the pad inflate.
00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:44.240
He filled it with breath until he was satisfied.
00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.200
He breathed out through his nose.
00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:52.319
The brook babbled quietly.
00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:56.000
The trees leaned from a persistent wind.
00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:58.880
He closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of the creek.
00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.759
He began to drift off.
00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:05.920
The sounds around him slowly began to muffle.
00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:10.160
Then he heard movement in the brush behind his tent.
00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:13.680
The noise was subtle, but it was close.
00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:16.799
He opened his eyes and listened.
00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:20.240
He heard nothing over the sound of the brook.
00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.480
He strained.
00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.319
Movement again.
00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:28.480
Further away and the sound of heavy breathing.
00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:33.039
He tried to breathe, but his lungs found less room for it.
00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.839
His pulse ticked hard beneath his jaw.
00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:39.680
It's just a buck, he said out loud.
00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.799
Breathing faded.
00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.880
There was no movement in the brush.
00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:47.839
John released his grip on his sleeping bag.
00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:50.640
He didn't realize how tightly he was gripping it.
00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:55.839
The cricket still chirped somewhere far off, and Al called again.
00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.519
John settled.
00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:02.240
Exhaustion crept back in, and slowly he began to fade.
00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.920
He fell asleep and slept dreamless.
00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.440
He awoke suddenly and looked around.
00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.880
It was still dark out.
00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.880
His tent was empty.
00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:17.200
He laid his head back down and stared up at the ceiling.
00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:23.359
He went to check the time, but he couldn't find his phone or his headlamp in the dark.
00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:29.920
He lay down, pulling the top of his sleeping bag to his chin, and tried to coax himself back to sleep.
00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.720
That's when he heard it.
00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.400
Movement.
00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.799
On the far side of camp near the creek.
00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:40.640
It was subtle at first, then it became loud.
00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:45.599
It sounded as though something was being dragged through the brush.
00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.000
And the sound stopped.
00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:53.200
John shut up, and the zipper on his sleeping bag nearly broke as it flew open.
00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:56.640
He heard only the sound of his own rapid breathing.
00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:02.960
The quiet was interrupted by the sound of Something falling or stepping into the creek.
00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.680
The crickets were silent.
00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:11.119
He stood still in the quiet, pressed in.
00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.319
Pulled his legs to his chest.
00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.960
Near Chris's tent.
00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:25.680
Chris didn't call out, and John couldn't find his voice.
00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:29.759
A few moments later, something moved behind John's tent.
00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:33.599
He swept the ground with his hand until he found its headlamp.
00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:38.079
He unzipped the windscreen and beamed the light toward the sound.
00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.160
Nothing.
00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:43.920
He tipped the windscreen back up and lay down.
00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:46.319
His breath came in tight gasps.
00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:51.039
His fingers curled around his sleeping bag and his knuckles were white.
00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:54.400
Then the brush dropped violently by the creek.
00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:59.119
Wherever it was, it circled their campsite.
00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:02.559
Then something dropped into the creek.
00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:07.759
He heard it move through it, waiting through the water.
00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.759
Then it stopped.
00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:12.319
The woman's laughter returned.
00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:15.440
It echoed from somewhere by the creek.
00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:19.920
John's body went rigid.
00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:25.920
Blood beat behind his ears, and he lay there for a long time without moving or making a sound.
00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.640
The creek filled the silence.
00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:33.920
Slowly, his breathing began to find its rhythm again.
00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.759
He heard nothing.
00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:38.720
And the brush near his tent rustled again.
00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.519
The laughter followed.
00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.880
John trunk inside his sleeping bag.
00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:47.759
His breath was hot and wet inside.
00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:50.400
He heard something leave the brush.
00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:53.359
He grabbed his light and turned it on.
00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:56.799
Something began to press into his tent.
00:23:58.640 --> 00:24:00.480
He cast the light on the tent wall.
00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:05.839
He could see long fingers pressed against it.
00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.440
And it disappeared.
00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:14.960
The woman laughed again.
00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:19.119
He stared at the tent wall, waiting for it to move.
00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:22.559
Trying to listen, but the creak was too loud.
00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:25.599
The brush moved by Chris's tent.
00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:28.240
John slid over to the tent door.
00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:32.000
He put his hand on the zipper and held it there.
00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.680
He unzipped it slowly.
00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:36.880
He shined his leg toward Chris's tent.
00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:39.759
He went still with half a breath in him.
00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:45.519
He caught a glimpse of a pale naked woman crawling into Chris's open tent.
00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:50.079
John zipped the windscreen shut and crawled backward.
00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:52.160
His back pressed against the tent.
00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:58.319
It leaned under his weight and nothing from Chris, only the sound of the babbling creak.
00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:04.079
He tried to move, but every joint, every muscle was locked in place.
00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:07.200
The sound of his breathing echoed.
00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:10.799
He sat there without moving for a long time.
00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.960
His breathing began to slow.
00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.559
It was quiet outside the tent.
00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:21.519
He unclenched his hands and realized the collar of his shirt was ripped.
00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:24.079
He didn't move.
00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.599
He didn't make a noise.
00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.920
The creek flowed on.
00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:31.359
The crickets began to chirp again.
00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.880
He still wouldn't move.
00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:38.720
The nightbirds returned, howldooting from somewhere off in the distance.
00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:41.279
His breathing slowed.
00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:45.119
Gust of wind passed through the trees and the canopy bristled.
00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:50.480
In the distance, he heard a pack of coyotes begin to yip and howl.
00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:54.000
He shifted his weight slowly.
00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:57.039
He was careful not to make a sound.
00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:00.240
He searched the dart for his headlamp.
00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:04.079
He swept his hand along the tenth floor until he bumped it.
00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:07.839
He picked it up and held it in his shaking hands.
00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.880
He didn't turn it on.
00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.680
He called.
00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:15.279
His voice low.
00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.680
There was no answer.
00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:20.000
He called again.
00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.160
No reply.
00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:27.440
His legs became tangled in his sleeping bag as he crawled and he fell over.
00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:32.400
Four, he picked himself up, feeling like his arms may give out under his weight.
00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:36.319
His hand shook as he reached for the zipper to the tent door.
00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.960
He grabbed it and held on.
00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:43.200
Blood drained from the tips of his fingers as I clutched the zipper.
00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.279
He didn't move.
00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:48.559
His teeth ground together.
00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:51.440
He unzipped the door partially and looked out.
00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:54.160
It was too dark to see anything.
00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.920
He called out again.
00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:59.200
There was no response.
00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:02.319
He reached down and grabbed the TED lamp.
00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:06.160
He pointed it toward Chris's tent and turned it on.
00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:08.559
His tent was wide open.
00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.480
He couldn't see Chris.
00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:12.480
He fanned the light across the campsite.
00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.920
He stopped.
00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:17.599
Fifteen feet in front of his tent stood the woman.
00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.720
Naked.
00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:19.759
Pale.
00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:22.720
Her back was to him.
00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:27.599
Long knotted black hair fell from her head and flowed past her shoulders.
00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:32.400
She was hunched forward as if cradling something against her chest.
00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:36.240
When the light found her, she didn't react.
00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:39.039
She turned slowly.
00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.640
She looked at John.
00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.200
John screened.
00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:50.880
And so later, their collapsed tents were found at the site.
00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:54.000
The rocks were inside, still packed.
00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:58.319
And one tent lay a torn, faded photo of Vanessa.
00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.400
For listening to Watch the Dark.
00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.960
To hear future stories.
00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:07.519
Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts.
00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:13.839
New episodes, updates, and more from the edge of the firelight.com.
00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.759
Join the firelight.
00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:20.799
Until next time, keep the fire lit.
00:00:01.439 --> 00:00:04.480
They arrived at the western trailhead early in the morning.
00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:08.480
They parked their car at the eastern terminus and took a shuttle to the other end.
00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:13.359
When they stepped out of the shuttle, a cool breeze slid across the back of John's neck.
00:00:13.679 --> 00:00:16.879
He adjusted his jacket and slid his ruck onto his back.
00:00:17.280 --> 00:00:22.320
As they entered the trail, John reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of his fiancee Vanessa.
00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:25.519
It was something he always carried camping.
00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:29.280
He rubbed a finger across the picture and tucked it away.
00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:31.199
Their pace was quick in the beginning.
00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:33.600
Duke coated the front of John's shoes.
00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:35.920
You remember that time we hiked Mount Mincy?
00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:36.960
Chris asked.
00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:42.000
Yeah, and that hornet's nest was on the ground right in the middle of the trail, John said.
00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:43.679
We ran right through it.
00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:45.600
Why didn't we just go around?
00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:48.399
Because we were dumb, John said.
00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:50.640
They laughed and kept moving.
00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:56.799
As the miles accumulated, words were replaced with gestures, and gestures replaced with the sound of their breathing.
00:00:57.039 --> 00:01:01.840
They covered about eight miles the first day before daylight faded, and they set up camp for the night.
00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:03.679
Chris made a fire.
00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:08.799
John boiled two packs of ramen in a jet boil, and they ate and watched the fire dance.
00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:12.719
An owl hooted somewhere off in the distance.
00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:16.400
The chorus of coyotes howling echoed between the trees.
00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:19.680
When the fire died, they made their way into their tents.
00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:23.599
John zipped up his tent and crawled into his sleeping bag.
00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:27.680
He listened to the trees bristle, and it wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep.
00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:31.439
John woke to the sound of brush shifting.
00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:35.840
He opened his eyes and wasn't sure he heard anything.
00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:39.359
A few moments later, something moved again.
00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:41.599
It was behind his tent.
00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:44.959
His stomach suddenly felt heavy.
00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:46.400
He turned his head.
00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:48.239
His breath stopped.
00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:54.000
The brush rattled again, but this time it was on the other side of his tent.
00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:57.439
He sat up and stared at the back of his tent.
00:01:58.159 --> 00:01:59.840
His body shivered.
00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:03.599
Hey Bear, he said, his voice loud and firm.
00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:06.959
The wind died and the night birds went silent.
00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:09.599
Nothing moved in the trees overhead.
00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:11.360
John listened.
00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:15.840
He heard the sound of Chris shifting in his sleeping bag in his tent nearby.
00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:18.719
Silence hung like lead.
00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:24.639
Then the sound of rattling brush again, farther off and moving away.
00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:28.960
An owl hooted, and the wind returned.
00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:35.439
John listened to the tree shivering overhead and let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:38.479
He lay back down and fell asleep.
00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:41.680
When he woke again, it was pitch black.
00:02:41.919 --> 00:02:44.080
It took a moment for his eyes to adjust.
00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:47.599
When they did, his breath hitched in his throat.
00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:52.719
The face of a woman, her features shrouded in black, hovered over him.
00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:57.360
Her long black hair hung from her head and brushed the sides of his face.
00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:00.639
He tried to move, but his body locked.
00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:04.800
A weight pressed into his chest and his lungs worked, but found nothing.
00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:08.479
He went to scream, but no sound came.
00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:12.639
John awoke suddenly in a cold sweat.
00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:15.199
He glanced around his tent.
00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:16.879
It was empty.
00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:22.800
Morning light filtered in through the tent, and he could see the shapes of the trees through the thin fabric.
00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:26.159
He went to unzip his sleeping bag.
00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:28.800
It was already partially unzipped.
00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:30.639
The cold stung.
00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:36.719
He stared at it a moment and saw a strand of long dark hair resting on the front of his sleeping bag.
00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:38.719
He picked it up.
00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:42.240
He stared at it for a long moment and then tossed it away.
00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:46.639
He changed into dry clothes and unzipped his tent and stepped out.
00:03:47.520 --> 00:03:50.800
John walked to the edge of their campsite and looked into the trees.
00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:54.639
He walked toward where they had left the bear canister the night before.
00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:57.840
He took in the early morning stillness.
00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:04.479
The sky was red in the east, and shades of gold stretched from it, pushing the last remnants of the dark back across the sky.
00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:08.479
He found the bear canister a few feet away from where he placed it.
00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:10.639
It was turned on to its side.
00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:13.759
He hefted the canister and inspected it.
00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:15.039
No damage.
00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:18.480
He walked back to camp with the canister under his arm.
00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:22.079
Chris was already out of his tent and boiling water.
00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:24.399
Morning, John said.
00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:28.399
Chris nodded and poured the hot water into a mug.
00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:32.480
John unscrewed the bear canister and pulled out two coffee packets.
00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:37.199
Chris handed him the mug, and John gave him a coffee packet in return.
00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.319
They drank their coffee without much exchange.
00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:42.319
Birds began to chirp.
00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:44.720
Squirrels flicked between branches.
00:04:44.959 --> 00:04:46.959
The sun poked through the trees.
00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:51.199
They packed up their camp and prepared themselves for the miles ahead.
00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:57.680
They marched through the forest, following a skinny dirt path that wound through mountain laurel and black huckleberry.
00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:02.560
Dense hemlocks and black cherry trees covered the landscape on either side.
00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:07.680
Something nagged at John all morning, but he couldn't find the right way to bring it up.
00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:10.639
The words came to him without warning.
00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:15.279
Did you uh hear anything last night?
00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:17.199
Like what?
00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:21.199
I thought I heard something around our campsite last night.
00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:22.480
It's the woods.
00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:24.639
There's always stuff out there.
00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:26.959
John hesitated.
00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:32.959
It felt like something was checking us out.
00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:35.120
Chris laughed.
00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:36.879
It probably was.
00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:38.720
It was probably a raccoon.
00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:40.240
He turned toward John.
00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:43.199
Did you forget to put something in the bear canister?
00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:44.800
Nope.
00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:48.240
Chris turned back to the trail ahead.
00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:50.240
I'm sure it was nothing.
00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:55.120
Still, something didn't sit right.
00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:00.959
He thought to mention the woman in his tent, but he knew it was just a dream.
00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:05.839
And still, he could remember the feeling of her hair brushing his face.
00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:08.319
He shook his head.
00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:12.560
He looked forward and focused on watching his boots rise and fall in front of him.
00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:15.279
He watched them longer than he intended to.
00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:20.079
The miles accumulated, and John huffed at each twist and turn of the trail.
00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:24.720
The rocks and roots that jutted from the soil began to bite through the soles of his boots.
00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:27.600
His pack dug into his shoulders.
00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:31.360
Chris was about twenty feet ahead on the trail when he stopped.
00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:34.079
John exhaled through his nose.
00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:37.759
Chris crept into the brush and stood there.
00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:43.199
John walked up behind him and saw he was looking down an old trail overgrown with green briar.
00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:46.079
This is it, Chris said.
00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:50.240
John looked over Chris's shoulder and down the old trail.
00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:53.199
He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.
00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:55.839
The trail looked forgotten.
00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:58.800
You sure this is it?
00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:00.560
Chris didn't answer.
00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:05.759
He hesitated a moment and then pushed through the green briar and started down the trail.
00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:11.759
John followed his lead, keeping his hands in front of him to block the branches from swinging back into his face.
00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:17.759
Mountain laurel and rhododendron pressed in on the old logging trail from both sides.
00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:23.040
The trees around it stood black and were lined with moss, mushrooms growing at their bases.
00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:28.639
Some were filled with holes from termites and dead falls scattered the landscape on either side.
00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:30.240
They pressed on.
00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:33.600
John felt his chest strap begin to dig into his neck.
00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:35.439
He went to adjust it.
00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:38.560
He pulled too hard and the strap snapped off.
00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:42.800
He cursed and tried to slide the buckle back onto the shoulder strap.
00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:45.040
He couldn't get it back on.
00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:47.839
He stopped walking and tried again.
00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:50.079
It still wouldn't latch.
00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:53.920
We'll fix it when we make camp, Chris said, looking back.
00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:57.920
John looked up, he nodded and started walking again.
00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:01.120
The pack bit deeper into his shoulders with each step.
00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:05.680
They followed the old trail until it came to a creek and bent west.
00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:08.879
The creek turned sharply to the north where it met the trail.
00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:10.879
The water flowed quickly.
00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:15.120
Rocks emerged from the surface of the water and it flowed around them effortlessly.
00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:20.319
The sun had already reached its highest point in the sky and had begun its descent toward the western horizon.
00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:22.560
Chris stared down the creek.
00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:26.959
This way, Chris said, stepping off trail.
00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:31.199
They followed the creek west and John's feet throbbed with each step.
00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:35.600
Daylight flattened, and when the creek turned left, Chris stopped.
00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.919
Here it is, Chris said.
00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:39.840
The sight was beautiful.
00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:43.919
It sat on a small ridge above the flowing creek next to a babbling brook.
00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:46.720
The ground was level and the soil soft.
00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:49.840
John listened to the sounds of the creek and smiled.
00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:55.440
Get ready for the best night's sleep you've ever had listening to this creek all night, Chris said.
00:08:56.080 --> 00:09:00.000
John laughed, and then he groaned as he slid his pack off his shoulders.
00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:03.120
They set up camp and gathered some firewood.
00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:06.559
They ate and stored the canister before the dark came.
00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:09.759
John sat on the ground and leaned against his pack.
00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:15.519
Chris poked the fire, and the owls returned, and the trees stirred from a gentle breeze.
00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:19.200
The logs popped in the fire, and the brook babbled on.
00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:23.120
They took it all in without saying much.
00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:27.600
Only when John noticed the silence between them did he speak.
00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:29.519
This place is beautiful.
00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.240
I see why you wouldn't shut up about it all winter.
00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:34.320
They laughed and Chris nodded.
00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.840
I told you.
00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:40.080
Chris pulled a marijuana vape pen from his pack and took a long pull.
00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:42.799
He exhaled the smoke over the fire.
00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:44.720
Then he held it out to John.
00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:46.320
John took it.
00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:48.240
He pulled and looked up.
00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:52.320
He exhaled and watched the smoke drift toward the night sky.
00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:56.320
Bright stars pockmarked the black canvas overhead.
00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:58.399
How's your dad doing?
00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:00.080
John asked.
00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:02.559
Chris didn't answer right away.
00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:06.000
He has his good days and his bad days.
00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:09.039
Is he responding well to treatment?
00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:11.519
We don't know yet.
00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:15.679
A moment of silence lingered between them.
00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:19.120
I'm sorry, man, John said.
00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.600
Chris looked away.
00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:25.440
It's been hard on my mom.
00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.679
John reached over and slapped his shoulder lightly.
00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.600
It'll be okay.
00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:34.080
I'm here if you guys need anything.
00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:36.639
Thanks, man, Chris said.
00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:40.000
Chris stared back at the fire and his eyes glistened.
00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:43.679
John breathed in the smell of the campfire and leaned back.
00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:48.399
They were quiet for a while, then Chris started talking again.
00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:56.320
While Chris was telling John about his planned trip to the Netherlands next year, John heard a strange sound come from the forest.
00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:58.159
He perked up.
00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:01.200
He stopped listening to Chris mid sentence.
00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:05.600
By the time Chris finished, the sound was gone.
00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:09.039
Sorry, I missed that, John said.
00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:14.320
Chris laughed and started talking again, but John wasn't present.
00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:17.519
He strained his ears for something else.
00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:20.399
He heard it again while Chris was going on.
00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.720
Laughter.
00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:29.600
Distant, barely audible, but still too close.
00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:33.039
John stared off into the trees.
00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:35.200
Chris noticed.
00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:37.759
He stopped talking and turned around.
00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:39.120
Did you hear that?
00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:40.720
John asked.
00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:43.679
Chris turned back and squinted at him.
00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:44.960
Hear what?
00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:47.440
I heard someone.
00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:50.240
Chris looked around.
00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:52.799
I didn't hear anything.
00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:54.480
John didn't speak.
00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.000
He waited.
00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:59.200
A tightness spidered across the top of his back.
00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:02.879
The creek flowed on and the trees shifted in the wind.
00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.960
A fire licked the soil.
00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:07.600
John leaned back against his pack.
00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:11.039
Gotta be the weed, man, Chris said, grinning.
00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:13.440
John forced a smile.
00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.519
The forest was quiet.
00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:18.399
John told himself he didn't hear what he thought he did.
00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:22.000
It was just the sounds of the forest at night playing tricks on him.
00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:26.000
Yeah, I probably smoked too much, he said.
00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:28.879
Wouldn't be the first time, Chris said.
00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:32.080
John put his head back and stared up at the stars.
00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:36.399
Pleiades stood out like a bright smear in the night sky.
00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:39.120
He breathed out through his nose.
00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.960
The trees began to lean.
00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:46.320
A sharp breeze blew through the camp, and it carried with it a sound of laughter.
00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:49.279
John sat up and his breath seized.
00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.720
There it is.
00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:53.840
Chris's expression flickered.
00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:59.360
I didn't hear anything, but it's probably just someone out here doing exactly what we're doing.
00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.440
A woman out here alone?
00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:02.879
John asked.
00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:04.879
We don't know she's alone.
00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:07.360
We know we aren't.
00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:09.600
No one spoke for a long moment.
00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:14.159
The fire burned low, and Chris added the last of the wood to it.
00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:17.200
He stoked at the life with a stick.
00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:20.720
It's not anything to get worked up about, Chris said.
00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.480
It's just odd.
00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:24.480
We're miles off trail.
00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:27.600
We aren't the only ones to go off trail.
00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:29.840
John didn't reply.
00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:32.000
He stared off into the darkness.
00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:36.960
He realized then the owls had stopped hooting, and the wind had stopped, and the trees stood still.
00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:40.080
Even the crickets ceased chirping.
00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.720
John kept his eyes on the trees.
00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:45.919
The creak suddenly felt too loud.
00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:50.720
The wind whipped and it nipped at his collar, then died again.
00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:54.720
Now hooted, and the sound died mid-call.
00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.919
The quiet echoed.
00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:01.600
Chris stoked the dying fire again.
00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:06.000
Maybe the coyotes will sing again for us tonight, Chris said.
00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.120
John didn't say anything.
00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:11.360
He kept his eyes on the trees.
00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:14.639
Woods will get to you at night if you let it, Chris said.
00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:18.879
Only thing out here is probably a raccoon trying to solve your bear canister.
00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:22.000
John grunted in acknowledgement.
00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.919
Then he heard it again.
00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:25.600
Laughter.
00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:28.080
But this time from behind him.
00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:30.159
He spun toward it.
00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:33.919
Nothing moved to the edge of the dying firelight.
00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:39.200
I heard it that time, Chris said.
00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:44.159
John turned to look at him and found the fear already there.
00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.879
And they both turned toward the trees.
00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:53.360
The light flickered, and Chris proud of the fire again and came alive for one last gasp.
00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:58.720
John watched the darkness close in as the flame went out.
00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.120
He listened hard.
00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:03.360
Nothing.
00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:07.200
Chris's voice broke the silence.
00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:10.240
Maybe we should get out of here.
00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:12.639
John glanced at him.
00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:16.639
We have our headlamps, Chris said.
00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:20.320
It's only a couple miles down the creek back to the trail.
00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:22.480
John nodded.
00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:23.360
Yeah.
00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:24.639
Let's go.
00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:28.559
They packed up their tents and stuffed their bags quickly.
00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:32.399
They turned on their headlamps and followed the creek back toward the old trail.
00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:34.879
Their lights scanned the trees as they walked.
00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.879
They didn't speak.
00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:41.919
Each time the wind crossed the back of John's neck, it felt like a hand.
00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:44.720
They came to where the creek bent north.
00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:46.240
They scanned the ground.
00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.240
The path wasn't there.
00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:50.799
This is it, Chris said.
00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:52.240
Where's the trail?
00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.799
John looked around.
00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.519
Shone his light on the creek.
00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:01.120
The creek did bend north, but gradually.
00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.399
I don't think this is it, John said.
00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:08.559
This is definitely where the trail was, Chris said.
00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.720
I remember this tree stump.
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.440
John looked at the stump and thought he remembered seeing it too.
00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:21.200
He shone his light through the forest and saw familiar dead fall and trees he didn't recognize.
00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:26.720
He cast his light on the ground, scanning for any sign of the old trail.
00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.039
There was nothing.
00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:34.960
Only long Timothy grass and ferns that looked as if they hadn't been disturbed in a decade.
00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:42.480
He scanned the ground again, and his light found a small depression in the tall grass that wound its way to the right.
00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.480
He walked toward it.
00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.559
It was nothing.
00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:52.879
He saw another tree stump a few feet ahead that looked similar to the one Chris remembered.
00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:56.080
He approached it and shone his light on the ground.
00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:59.840
His beam cast on more grass and more ferns.
00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.200
No trail.
00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:06.720
He swept the forest, and it felt like his beam wouldn't reach as far as it should.
00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:11.599
The sounds of the creek suddenly felt like it was coming from all around him.
00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.759
He stepped and the soil seemed to give way.
00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:18.319
The forest tilted and he nearly fell.
00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:22.559
He breathed out through his mouth and righted himself.
00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.960
He looked back at Chris.
00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.200
There's nothing here.
00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:29.839
Chris didn't say anything.
00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:34.160
He spun slowly in a circle, shining his light at the ground as he turned.
00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:37.839
Maybe it's up a bit further, John said.
00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:40.480
No, it was right here.
00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:44.000
John glanced around the forest again.
00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:48.640
He reached to adjust his pack on his shoulders and felt his hands tremble.
00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:54.960
Let's just work our way back to camp before we get more lost, John said.
00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:58.400
They shone their lights back down the creek from where they came.
00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:01.200
Neither man moved nor spoke.
00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:06.240
The wind tested their clothes, and John pulled his jacket tighter across his chest.
00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.559
He moved first.
00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:12.400
He walked slowly, following the creek back to the campsite.
00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.680
For a moment he thought he might lose his balance.
00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:17.680
Chris followed.
00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:35.839
The skin beneath his collar grew tight as he hooked his tent poles in and raised it from the ground.
00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:40.640
They finished setting up their tents and shoved their packs inside.
00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.880
John unzipped his tent and moved in.
00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:55.039
He crawled into his sleeping bag and forced his eyes shut.
00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:58.160
The sound of the brook crowded his head.
00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:02.880
A heavy gust of wind shifted the canopy above, and John jumped.
00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:05.119
He focused on his breathing.
00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.960
The cold stung his lungs.
00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:10.559
The fluttering in his chest slowly became less intense.
00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.519
His muscles relaxed.
00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:17.920
He lay in silence for a long time, staring up at the ceiling of his tent.
00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:21.119
Crickets began to chirp again.
00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:24.559
John felt something cold wind up and down his spine.
00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:28.960
He realized then that his sleeping pad was underinflated.
00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.400
He fumbled for the air vent in the dark.
00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.480
He found it without turning his headlamp on.
00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:38.319
He moved off his sleeping pad and blew into the vent.
00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.640
He felt the pad inflate.
00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:44.240
He filled it with breath until he was satisfied.
00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.200
He breathed out through his nose.
00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:52.319
The brook babbled quietly.
00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:56.000
The trees leaned from a persistent wind.
00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:58.880
He closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of the creek.
00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.759
He began to drift off.
00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:05.920
The sounds around him slowly began to muffle.
00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:10.160
Then he heard movement in the brush behind his tent.
00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:13.680
The noise was subtle, but it was close.
00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:16.799
He opened his eyes and listened.
00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:20.240
He heard nothing over the sound of the brook.
00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.480
He strained.
00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.319
Movement again.
00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:28.480
Further away and the sound of heavy breathing.
00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:33.039
He tried to breathe, but his lungs found less room for it.
00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.839
His pulse ticked hard beneath his jaw.
00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:39.680
It's just a buck, he said out loud.
00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.799
Breathing faded.
00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.880
There was no movement in the brush.
00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:47.839
John released his grip on his sleeping bag.
00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:50.640
He didn't realize how tightly he was gripping it.
00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:55.839
The cricket still chirped somewhere far off, and Al called again.
00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.519
John settled.
00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:02.240
Exhaustion crept back in, and slowly he began to fade.
00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.920
He fell asleep and slept dreamless.
00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.440
He awoke suddenly and looked around.
00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.880
It was still dark out.
00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.880
His tent was empty.
00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:17.200
He laid his head back down and stared up at the ceiling.
00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:23.359
He went to check the time, but he couldn't find his phone or his headlamp in the dark.
00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:29.920
He lay down, pulling the top of his sleeping bag to his chin, and tried to coax himself back to sleep.
00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.720
That's when he heard it.
00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.400
Movement.
00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.799
On the far side of camp near the creek.
00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:40.640
It was subtle at first, then it became loud.
00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:45.599
It sounded as though something was being dragged through the brush.
00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.000
And the sound stopped.
00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:53.200
John shut up, and the zipper on his sleeping bag nearly broke as it flew open.
00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:56.640
He heard only the sound of his own rapid breathing.
00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:02.960
The quiet was interrupted by the sound of Something falling or stepping into the creek.
00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.680
The crickets were silent.
00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:11.119
He stood still in the quiet, pressed in.
00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.319
Pulled his legs to his chest.
00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.960
Near Chris's tent.
00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:25.680
Chris didn't call out, and John couldn't find his voice.
00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:29.759
A few moments later, something moved behind John's tent.
00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:33.599
He swept the ground with his hand until he found its headlamp.
00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:38.079
He unzipped the windscreen and beamed the light toward the sound.
00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.160
Nothing.
00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:43.920
He tipped the windscreen back up and lay down.
00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:46.319
His breath came in tight gasps.
00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:51.039
His fingers curled around his sleeping bag and his knuckles were white.
00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:54.400
Then the brush dropped violently by the creek.
00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:59.119
Wherever it was, it circled their campsite.
00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:02.559
Then something dropped into the creek.
00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:07.759
He heard it move through it, waiting through the water.
00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.759
Then it stopped.
00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:12.319
The woman's laughter returned.
00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:15.440
It echoed from somewhere by the creek.
00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:19.920
John's body went rigid.
00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:25.920
Blood beat behind his ears, and he lay there for a long time without moving or making a sound.
00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.640
The creek filled the silence.
00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:33.920
Slowly, his breathing began to find its rhythm again.
00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.759
He heard nothing.
00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:38.720
And the brush near his tent rustled again.
00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.519
The laughter followed.
00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.880
John trunk inside his sleeping bag.
00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:47.759
His breath was hot and wet inside.
00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:50.400
He heard something leave the brush.
00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:53.359
He grabbed his light and turned it on.
00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:56.799
Something began to press into his tent.
00:23:58.640 --> 00:24:00.480
He cast the light on the tent wall.
00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:05.839
He could see long fingers pressed against it.
00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.440
And it disappeared.
00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:14.960
The woman laughed again.
00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:19.119
He stared at the tent wall, waiting for it to move.
00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:22.559
Trying to listen, but the creak was too loud.
00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:25.599
The brush moved by Chris's tent.
00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:28.240
John slid over to the tent door.
00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:32.000
He put his hand on the zipper and held it there.
00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.680
He unzipped it slowly.
00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:36.880
He shined his leg toward Chris's tent.
00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:39.759
He went still with half a breath in him.
00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:45.519
He caught a glimpse of a pale naked woman crawling into Chris's open tent.
00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:50.079
John zipped the windscreen shut and crawled backward.
00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:52.160
His back pressed against the tent.
00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:58.319
It leaned under his weight and nothing from Chris, only the sound of the babbling creak.
00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:04.079
He tried to move, but every joint, every muscle was locked in place.
00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:07.200
The sound of his breathing echoed.
00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:10.799
He sat there without moving for a long time.
00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.960
His breathing began to slow.
00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.559
It was quiet outside the tent.
00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:21.519
He unclenched his hands and realized the collar of his shirt was ripped.
00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:24.079
He didn't move.
00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.599
He didn't make a noise.
00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.920
The creek flowed on.
00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:31.359
The crickets began to chirp again.
00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.880
He still wouldn't move.
00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:38.720
The nightbirds returned, howldooting from somewhere off in the distance.
00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:41.279
His breathing slowed.
00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:45.119
Gust of wind passed through the trees and the canopy bristled.
00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:50.480
In the distance, he heard a pack of coyotes begin to yip and howl.
00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:54.000
He shifted his weight slowly.
00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:57.039
He was careful not to make a sound.
00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:00.240
He searched the dart for his headlamp.
00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:04.079
He swept his hand along the tenth floor until he bumped it.
00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:07.839
He picked it up and held it in his shaking hands.
00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.880
He didn't turn it on.
00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.680
He called.
00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:15.279
His voice low.
00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.680
There was no answer.
00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:20.000
He called again.
00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.160
No reply.
00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:27.440
His legs became tangled in his sleeping bag as he crawled and he fell over.
00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:32.400
Four, he picked himself up, feeling like his arms may give out under his weight.
00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:36.319
His hand shook as he reached for the zipper to the tent door.
00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.960
He grabbed it and held on.
00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:43.200
Blood drained from the tips of his fingers as I clutched the zipper.
00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.279
He didn't move.
00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:48.559
His teeth ground together.
00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:51.440
He unzipped the door partially and looked out.
00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:54.160
It was too dark to see anything.
00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.920
He called out again.
00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:59.200
There was no response.
00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:02.319
He reached down and grabbed the TED lamp.
00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:06.160
He pointed it toward Chris's tent and turned it on.
00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:08.559
His tent was wide open.
00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.480
He couldn't see Chris.
00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:12.480
He fanned the light across the campsite.
00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.920
He stopped.
00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:17.599
Fifteen feet in front of his tent stood the woman.
00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.720
Naked.
00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:19.759
Pale.
00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:22.720
Her back was to him.
00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:27.599
Long knotted black hair fell from her head and flowed past her shoulders.
00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:32.400
She was hunched forward as if cradling something against her chest.
00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:36.240
When the light found her, she didn't react.
00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:39.039
She turned slowly.
00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.640
She looked at John.
00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.200
John screened.
00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:50.880
And so later, their collapsed tents were found at the site.
00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:54.000
The rocks were inside, still packed.
00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:58.319
And one tent lay a torn, faded photo of Vanessa.
00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.400
For listening to Watch the Dark.
00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.960
To hear future stories.
00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:07.519
Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts.
00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:13.839
New episodes, updates, and more from the edge of the firelight.com.
00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.759
Join the firelight.
00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:20.799
Until next time, keep the fire lit.
