Pale evening rays shone through the canopy overhead. Night's approach coupled with the dense fog made it feel darker than it should be.

Rachel squeezed my hand, "we should go back," she said.

"Yeah, Blake," I added, "it's getting late. Let's head back."

"You scared, Pedro?" He asked with a smirk.

"I'm not scared, bro. I'm just saying leave it there and we'll come back and get it tomorrow." Though I had no intentions of coming back for it.

"Come on guys," Amy sighed, "relax a little. It won't take that long to carry it back."

"No," Rachel said flatly. "I don't wanna get lost out here because of some creepy ass box." I squeezed her hand, running my finger across her engagement ring.

"Don't you guys at least wanna see what's inside? We don't have to carry it back right now," Blake said now squatting over it.

"Good idea, babe," Rachel agreed, "it's probably buried treasure."

"It'll still be here—" The sound of Blake breaking the ancient-looking lock stopped me from finishing my sentence.

"There it is," he smiled triumphantly, "let's just have a peek inside," he added before lifting the lid.

"Holy shit!" Amy exclaimed as she jumped back.

A severed hand sat up in the box. The fingers were twisted in every direction. The fingernails were cracked and peeling as though the hand was clawing at the box. The base where the rest of the forearm used to be connected was blacked by decay—with maggots gnawing at the flesh. Cuts and gashes were visible all over the hand. The smell of rotting flesh began to fill the air.

Rachel turned away, still holding my hand, gagging in disgust.

I covered my nose with my free hand, "are you happy now, Blake? Let's get the hell out of here."

As Blake was about to stand up, the hand's thumb twitched. "What the—" he began. But the hand shot out of the box and dug into his chest. Amy's scream was deafening as Blake fell to his knees, his eyes wide with shock. It contorted, burrowing deeper into his bleeding chest. The sound of his bones cracking jolted me out of my daze. I pulled Rachel's hand and we both raced away from Blake's fallen body.

Seconds later, Amy shrieked in pain, chills ran down my spine.

"Faster!" I yelled. Just then, Rachel tripped, stopping me dead in my tracks.

"Are you okay?" I panted.

She sobbed, "I think it's just a scrape."

I wiped the tears from her face, "baby, we need to go."

Rachel nodded, then her eyes suddenly widened. She screamed.

Something was breathing down my neck. Turning around, I came face to face with a figure that resembled Blake. His eyes were empty black sockets. I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Blood streamed from where his hand pierced my chest. 

Falling to my knees, I turned my head and uttered, "Rachel, te amo." Then I shouted, "run!" 

And my eyes went black.