My scream echoed through the night.
Loud.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Immediately, Michael stopped.
He turned.
Slowly.
Too slowly.
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.
“No… no… he heard me,” I whispered, pressing my body tightly against the tree.
For a moment, everything went silent.
Even the river.
Even the insects.
Then—
“Who’s there?” Michael’s voice came.
Calm.
But not normal.
There was something… off about it.
I held my breath.
Praying.
Hoping.
Begging he wouldn’t come closer.
But he did.
Step by step.
Closer.
Closer.
The sound of his footsteps on the dry leaves made my skin crawl.
I shut my eyes tightly.
“Please don’t find me… please…” I muttered under my breath.
Then—
He stopped.
Right in front of the tree.
I could feel his presence.
So close.
Too close.
But he didn’t speak again.
Instead—
He turned.
And walked back toward the river.
I opened my eyes slowly.
Confused.
Relieved.
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