As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the campsite in a dark, eerie light, we gathered around the fire. The flames crackled and spat, casting flickering shadows on the trees.
Aria sat beside me, her eyes gleaming in the firelight. "Hey, Ethan, what's really going on?" she asked, her voice low and husky.
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Nothing, Aria. Just enjoying the night."
But Aria wasn't buying it. She knew me too well. "Don't lie to me, Ethan," she said, her eyes narrowing. "I can see it in your eyes. Something's bothering you."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's just...I don't know, Aria. This place feels off. Like we're being watched."
Aria's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "That's exactly what I've been thinking," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As we talked, the others began to settle in for the night. Alex and Lila started to tell ghost stories, while Jake and Ben worked on building a makeshift shelter.
But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. That we were in grave danger.
And then, just as I was starting to relax, I heard it. A low, menacing growl that seemed to come from all around us.
My heart racing, I turned to Aria. "Did you hear that?" I whispered.
Aria's eyes were wide with fear. "Yes," she whispered back. "What is it?"
I didn't have an answer. But I knew one thing for sure: we were not alone in these woods.