The morning light broke through the dense canopy, casting beams of gold on the mist-covered ground. The cool air carried a faint scent of earth and damp leaves as the group silently gathered their things, packing up quickly.  
Evelyn stood a little apart from them, scanning the horizon. The uneasy feeling had not left her since the night before, and she wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination or something more.  
Ben, quiet as always, looked at her but said nothing. There was a weight in his gaze, as if he too felt it. The others were finishing their preparations, eager to move but unsure. Sarah kept close to Thomas, her eyes darting nervously at the surrounding forest, as if expecting something to leap out at them.  
Evelyn glanced at the others. “Let’s keep moving. We’re losing daylight.”  
They set off again, the forest thickening with each step. The trees grew larger and closer, and the air seemed to grow heavier. There was no telling how far they’d have to go to reach the rumored safe zone, but Evelyn couldn’t help but feel like they were being pushed further into unknown territory.  
With every step, it felt as though the world around them grew quieter. The birds were silent now, and the usual rustling of small creatures in the underbrush had stopped. Even the wind had stilled.  
Claire, walking ahead with Ben, had a strange look on her face. Evelyn caught her gaze and motioned for her to stop.  
“Something’s not right,” Claire said softly, her voice barely a whisper.  
“I know,” Evelyn replied. “Stay close. We’re not out of danger yet.”  
But as the group continued, the oppressive quiet began to weigh on them, the tension building with each step. The occasional snap of a twig or rustling of leaves only heightened their senses. They were constantly on edge, every movement feeling like a warning.  
Hours passed, and the sky began to darken. Evelyn didn’t want to stop until they had found a safer spot, but the forest seemed to stretch endlessly in front of them.  
They finally came to a clearing with a small rise on one side, offering a potential view of the surrounding area.  
Evelyn nodded to the group. “We’ll set up here for the night. We need rest if we’re going to keep going tomorrow.”  
They moved quickly to establish camp, but Evelyn’s instincts were still on high alert. She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them from the trees.  
The night fell quickly, the stars obscured by the thick canopy above. Evelyn stood watch again, her eyes scanning the darkness as her thoughts raced. She kept expecting to hear footsteps, the sound of movement in the underbrush. But nothing came.  
She wasn’t sure how long she stood there, the hours stretching on, but the silence was suffocating. The group was huddled together in the center of camp, resting as best they could.  
Then, a soft sound broke through the night, the faintest whisper of movement from the edge of the clearing.  
Evelyn tensed, her hand instinctively reaching for her rifle. She motioned for Claire to come closer.  
“Did you hear that?” Evelyn whispered.  
Claire nodded, her face pale. “I did. But I don’t see anything.”  
They waited, listening intently. The sound came again, just beyond the tree line. The hairs on Evelyn’s neck stood on end.  
“Someone’s out there,” Claire said, her voice tight.  
“Stay low,” Evelyn ordered, crouching behind a fallen tree.  
The others were awake now, their eyes wide with fear. They knew the dangers of the world they lived in every sound could mean trouble.  
Evelyn’s breath was slow and steady as she scanned the dark edge of the clearing. The movement was too deliberate, too careful to be an animal.  
Another rustle, followed by a soft thud. Something or someone was circling the camp.  
Evelyn’s mind raced. It could be another group, or worse, someone who knew they were coming. A predator, not in the physical sense, but in the way they watched and waited for the right moment to strike.  
Her hand gripped the rifle tighter. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest.  
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the far edge of the clearing. It was quick, too quick for Evelyn to get a clear shot, but she saw the outline of a person, thin, tall, and moving with calculated precision.  
“Stay down,” she whispered to the others. “Stay quiet.”  
The figure moved closer, disappearing into the shadows just outside the circle of their campfire’s light. Evelyn’s pulse raced as she tried to get a better look.  
She didn’t know who or what it was, but it was watching them.