POV: Jared
My pulse pounded steady and hard, each beat drumming against my ribs as my fingers tightened around the grip of my gun. The silence outside wasn't just empty—it was thick, expectant, like the woods were holding their breath along with me. Whoever was out there wasn't just lurking.
They were hunting.
The SUV at the edge of the road still hadn't moved, its engine idling in the darkness like a beast waiting to pounce. The figure who had stepped out remained by the hood, half-hidden in shadows. But I wasn't worried about him. It was the thing in the trees that set my nerves on edge.
Another crunch of leaves. Closer.
I didn't hesitate. My hand closed around the door handle, cracking it open just enough to step out. The second I left the car, the forest swallowed me whole. The headlights' weak glow barely reached past the first row of trees, leaving the rest of the night thick and impenetrable. I moved low, careful.
