CAMPING (V)

VIOLET

I winced as Luke carefully dabbed at the scrape on my leg with some antiseptic from the first-aid kit. The sting made me suck in a sharp breath, but I forced a smile, trying to downplay the pain.

“Does it hurt?” Luke asked, his voice gentle but filled with concern.

“It’s fine. I’m okay, really.” I shook my head, biting my lip to keep from wincing again. I wasn’t sure if the sting was from the wound or the knot tightening in my chest. My eyes flickered to Ryan, who stood a few feet away, staring off into the distance. He hadn’t said much since we came back to the tent. Just silent. Unreadable.

Luke’s brow furrowed, his focus entirely on me, but I couldn’t stop myself from glancing at Ryan again. He was tense, fists clenched, as though something was bothering him. I watched him run a hand through his hair before he suddenly turned to face me.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his brows furrowed.

“Yes, I’m fine now,” I replied, my voice softer than I intended. Ryan gave a quick nod, then hesitated. His shoulders stiffened, as if caught between staying and leaving, and before I could say anything more, he turned and headed out of the tent.

“Ryan?” I called softly after him, unsure of what else to say. I made a move to stand up, but Luke gently stopped me with a hand on my arm.

“You’ve been through enough for today. Just sit still for a second, alright?” he said, his voice soft but firm.

I nodded, too tired to argue. My ankle was sore, my palms were scraped, and the bruises were starting to settle in. Luke was right—it was best to just stay put for now. I could always thank Ryan later. Maybe text him.

Before I could gather my thoughts, Ashley came bursting into the tent, her eyes wide with concern. “Vi, what happened? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just a small fall,” I said, waving it off like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Small fall? Girl, you were stuck in a pit!” Her eyebrows shot up in disbelief, and I couldn’t help but laugh despite myself.

She shook her head, crouching beside me as she quickly checked for any other injuries. “Damn, Luke, where were you? I leave you with Violet for one day and this happens?” she crossed her arms, glaring hard at him.

Luke raised his hands in surrender, chuckling softly.

“Hey, I found her, didn’t I? Besides, she’s tougher than she looks.”

Ashley rolled her eyes but smiled. “Still, you’re lucky she’s okay. You scared me, Vi.”

“I’m fine, I promise,” I assured her, smiling weakly.

The three of us sat together for a while longer, talking about anything and everything to pass the time. Ashley’s teasing comments eventually gave way to lighter conversations, and Luke managed to pull a few more laughs from me despite the day’s events. It felt good—normal, even. For a moment, the weight of what had happened earlier seemed distant.

“By the way,” Ashley chimed in, her face lighting up with a triumphant smile. “Guess whose group found the plant first?”

I raised an eyebrow, curious. “Seriously?”

“Yup,” Ashley said, plopping down beside me. “We’re officially the plant-hunting champions. Not that it’s really a big deal or anything.” Her tone was light, but the glint in her eye told me she was definitely going to milk this win for all it was worth.

Luke chuckled from across the campfire. “Enjoy it while it lasts. Next time, we’re coming for the title.”

“You wish,” Ashley shot back, tossing a twig into the fire.

After a little more chatting, Ashley headed back to her group, leaving me alone with Luke. He helped me settle in, double-checking that I was comfortable before heading off himself, leaving me with a quiet moment to gather my thoughts.

The camp was peaceful, with the warm glow of the fire casting soft shadows across the tents. My body ached, but I needed to clear my head. After a moment, I decided to go for a walk. Just to stretch my legs, I told myself.

I wandered a little away from the campsite and then-I saw him—Ryan. He was standing alone, a few feet from the fire, his silhouette outlined by the flickering flames. He looked so still, so distant, and I hesitated.

Would he even want to talk? I wasn’t sure why I was drawn to him, but I felt like I needed to say something. Anything.I took a deep breath, my feet moving before I could stop myself. "Ryan?" My voice came out quieter than I’d intended..

“Ryan?” My voice came out quieter than I’d intended.

He didn’t turn around immediately, but I saw his shoulders tense slightly. After a beat, he finally glanced over his shoulder at me, his eyes dark in the flickering light. “What?”

I shifted awkwardly, suddenly unsure why I’d come over in the first place. “I just… I wanted to say thanks,for the other time I mean.”

Ryan shrugged, turning his gaze back to the fire. “You should thank Luke. He’s the one who got you out.”

I frowned. Was that what this was about?

“I know, but you were there too. You didn’t have to—”

“Doesn’t matter,” he cut me off, his voice cold and distant. “You’re fine. That’s all that matters.”

I blinked, taken aback by his abruptness.

“Okay… Well, thanks anyway.”

There was a long pause, the crackling fire filling the silence between us. When he spoke again, his voice was lower, almost like he was talking more to himself than to me. “You don’t have to say thanks. I just did what anyone would’ve done.”.

Before I could ask him anything more, Ryan pushed off from where he was standing.

“Get some rest,” he muttered before walking away, leaving me standing alone by the fire, more confused than ever.

I stood there for a few moments, trying to make sense of the conversation when I felt something cold hit my cheek.

I looked up at the sky, feeling the temperature drop as the wind picked up. Then, it came—quick, heavy raindrops falling faster and harder, soaking my hair and clothes in seconds.

Great…

I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself for warmth, but it did little to stop the chill that crept into my bones. The night had gone from tense to surreal, and now I was standing alone in a storm, unsure of what to do next.

The rain fell harder, blurring the world around me. My feet were rooted to the spot, a mix of confusion and dread washing over me.

Suddenly, through the sheets of rain, I saw a figure emerge. My heart raced as I squinted, the darkness obscuring my vision. No, it couldn’t be. It can’t be him. He’s dead.

Panic gripped me, and in my haste, my phone slipped from my fingers, falling to the ground with a dull thud. I held my breath, my heart skipping a beat as I took a step back, dread pooling in my stomach. The figure stepped closer revealing a face I thought I’d never see again. It was him—no longer just a haunting memory, but standing right in front of me, drenched and alive. Fear twisted in my stomach, and I stumbled back, grappling with disbelief.

“Violet…I told you, I’m here.”