chapter seven
"don't panic"

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The Main Lodge  ━━ Hacketts Quarry 2021

THE OLD floorboards creaked under Lilith's feet as she paced the empty lodge. Moonlight filtered through the dusty windows, casting long shadows across the room. The rhythmic ticking of Aiden's watch filled the air, making her turn the timepiece over in her hands. She studyed its worn face for the hundredth time, searching for any clue she might have missed.

"What aren't you telling me, Aiden?" she whispered to the silent watch. Her fingers traced the scratch on the crystal, a blemish that had always been there, even before that fateful night. "What did you see in these woods?"

Suddenly, a gunshot shattered the night's silence. Lilith's blood ran cold, her body tensing instinctively. The watch slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor.

"What the hell?" she muttered, scrambling to pick up the watch before moving towards the window. Her heart pounded as she peered into the darkness. For a moment, she tried to convince herself it was just Jacob being reckless again.

But a gnawing feeling in her gut told her otherwise. The woods seemed unnaturally still, as if holding its breath. Minutes stretched like hours as Lilith stood frozen, straining her ears for any further sounds.

Then, she heard frantic footsteps pounding up the lodge steps, followed by desperate banging on the door.

"Help! Someone open the door! Lilith?!" Abigail's panicked voice carried through the wood.

Lilith sprinted to the entrance, and flung the door open, lettting a flood of bodies poured in: Abigail, her face streaked with tears; Ryan, his usually calm demeanor shattered; Dylan, uncharacteristically silent; Kaitlyn, her eyes wide with shock; and... Nick.

Lilith's eyes widened in horror. Nick was covered in blood, his shirt torn to shreds, his face pale with shock. Long, angry gashes ran across his chest and arms.

"Oh my God, Nick!" Lilith cried, rushing to support him. Her arms wrapped around his waist, feeling him sag against her. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Nick's eyes were unfocused, his breathing ragged. "I... I don't know. Something... attacked me. It came out of nowhere."

"It was like a nightmare," Abigail added, her voice shaking. She hugged herself tightly, as if trying to hold herself together. "One minute we were walking, and the next... there was this growl, and then Nick was on the ground, and there was so much blood..."

"We need to do something," Ryan interjected, taking charge of the situation. His voice was steady, but Lilith could see the fear in his eyes. "Abigail, can you find Nick something to eat? Sugar might help with the shock."

Abigail nodded, seemingly grateful for a task to focus on. "On it. Hang in there, Nick. You're going to be okay." She squeezed Nick's arm gently before heading towards the kitchen.

Ryan turned to Dylan, who was staring at Nick's wounds with horror. "Dylan, snap out of it. We need to call for help. Let's look for a landline upstairs."

Dylan blinked, coming back to himself. "Right, yeah. Of course. Let's go." He followed Ryan up the stairs, casting one last worried glance at Nick.

Kaitlyn squeezed Lilith's shoulder, her touch grounding in the midst of the chaos. "I'm going to the nurse's station for medical supplies. Can you stay with him?"

Lilith nodded, her arm still around Nick's waist. She could feel him trembling against her. "Of course. We'll be in the common room. Hurry back, okay?"

As the others dispersed, Lilith guided Nick to a worn couch in the common room. He sank into it with a groan, his eyes closing briefly. In the dim light of the room, his pale face looked almost ghostly.

"Nick," Lilith said softly, kneeling beside him. She took his hand in hers, noting how cold his skin felt. "What happened out there? Can you tell me?"

Nick's eyes fluttered open, meeting Lilith's concerned gaze. There was a vulnerability there that made Lilith's heart clench. "It was so fast. We were in the woods, walking back from the lake. Emma and Jacob had gone off somewhere, and Abi and I were just talking. And then... this thing came out of nowhere."

He paused, swallowing hard. Lilith squeezed his hand encouragingly. "Take your time. What did it look like?"

"It was huge, Lilith. Like a wolf, but... wrong somehow. Too big, too... I don't know, almost human-like in some ways. And its eyes..." Nick shuddered. "They were glowing in the dark. Yellow, I think. Or maybe red? It all happened so fast."

Lilith felt her pulse quicken. Yellow eyes, oversized wolf-like creature... it matched some of the stories she'd heard, the rumors she'd been chasing. "A wolf? Are you absolutely sure? Did you notice anything else unusual?"

Nick's brow furrowed, a wince of pain crossing his face as he tried to remember. "The howl... God, that howl. It didn't sound like any animal I've ever heard. It was almost... mournful? But terrifying at the same time. And there was this smell, like... wet dog mixed with something rotten."

"What about markings?" Lilith pressed, leaning in closer. "Any distinct features or coloring?"

As Lilith opened her mouth to ask another question, Nick suddenly sat up straighter, wincing at the movement. "Why are you asking so many questions? You seem more interested in what I saw than the fact that I'm bleeding all over this couch."

Lilith bit her lip, conflict written across her face. She stood up, pacing for a moment before turning back to Nick.

"I... I need to tell you something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you have to promise not to tell anyone else. Not yet, at least. Can you do that, Nick?"

Nick nodded slowly, his curiosity overriding his pain for a moment. "Okay, I promise. What's going on, Lilith? You're starting to scare me, and considering I just got mauled by some monster wolf, that's saying something."

Taking a deep breath, Lilith pulled Aiden's watch from her pocket. The moonlight glinted off its scratched face as she held it out to Nick. "The reason I'm really here at Hackett's Quarry... it's because of my brother, Aiden. He disappeared in these woods years ago."

Nick's eyes widened, darting between the watch and Lilith's face. "What? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Nobody knows," Lilith continued, sinking onto the couch beside Nick. Their shoulders touched, and she drew comfort from his warmth, solid and real beside her. "Everyone thinks it was an accident, that he fell into the river or got lost. But I never believed that. Aiden knew these woods like the back of his hand. And now, with what happened to you... Nick, I think whatever took Aiden might still be out there."

"Your brother..." Nick leaned forward, wincing slightly. He took the watch from Lilith, examining it closely. "How long ago did this happen?"

Lilith closed her eyes, the memories washing over her. "It's been 4 years. We were just kids, really. We snuck out one night to explore the woods, and... he never came back."

Nick reached out, taking Lilith's hand in his. His touch was gentle, comforting. "I'm so sorry, Lilith. That must have been terrible for you. To lose your brother like that... so all this time, you've been..."

"Searching," Lilith finished for him. "Every moment I could. And now, I'm closer than ever to finding out what really happened. The claw marks I found on that tree the other day, and now your attack... Nick, I think we're dealing with something that most people don't believe exists."

Nick was quiet for a moment, processing everything. When he spoke, his voice was gentle. "Lilith, I... I don't know what to say. But, I believe you. What I saw out there tonight... it wasn't natural."

Lilith felt a wave of relief wash over her. "You believe me? Really?"

Nick nodded, a small smile on his face despite his pain. "After what I saw tonight? Yeah, I believe you."

Nick squeezed her hand. "Your secret's safe with me. But promise me you won't go looking for this thing on your own. I don't want you getting hurt."

Lilith hesitated, but as she looked at him, saw the pleading in his eyes despite his injuries, she knew she couldn't shut him out. Not now.

"I promise," she said finally.

"Good," Nick agreed. Then, with a weak smile, he added, "Though maybe next time, I'll try to investigate without getting mauled. I don't think the rugged, scarred look really suits me."

Lilith couldn't help but chuckle, the tension of the moment breaking slightly. "I don't know, some girls might be into that whole 'survivor of a monster attack' vibe."

"Oh yeah?" Nick raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye despite the pain. "And what about you? Is that your type?"

Lilith felt a blush creep up her cheeks. "I... um..."

The sound of approaching footsteps saved her from having to answer. They quickly separated, the moment broken. Abigail entered, carrying a plate of cookies and a glass of juice.

"Here," she said, handing them to Nick. "It's not much, but it should help with the shock. How are you feeling?"

Nick took a cookie, biting into it gratefully. "Like I got hit by a truck. But the cookies help. Thanks, Abi."

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