2 Chapter 2: Lost in the Woods

Thea's POV

"Okay, think, Thea. Now is not the time to panic. You need to stay calm to get yourself back to the cabin. You know these woods."

Talking myself down seems to help, and as my heart rate slows down, I notice a hill just a bit ahead of me. If I hike up there, I should be able to see the smoke coming from the cabin's chimney, and I can follow it back.

Racing the oncoming darkness, I make my way to the top of the hill. Tank and I are both a little out of breath when we reach the top, and my heart nearly floats out of my chest when I see a line of smoke in the distance.

"Come one, Tank; I found our way back."

A little more light on my feet, knowing I am on my way back to the safety of the cabin, I hurry in the direction of the smoke. The sound of Tanks tags clinking against his collar is oddly comforting with how quiet the woods feel after our little scare of being lost.

The silence in the Montana woods is quieter than the silence of my lonely apartment. Being so close to campus creates a constant lull of background noise, people walking below, cars on the street, and the subtle beat of the music coming from the bar a few buildings down. Strangely, even with the background noise, that tiny apartment feels even more lonely than the woods. Again Tank interrupts my thoughts, but this time, it's a low growl instead of a bark, which is even more alarming.

"Buddy, it's okay. I am sure it is just a rabbit or bird. We are on our way home, and there is nothing out there that could possibly hurt us … I hope." I say.

"Maybe I should just keep talking to help you feel more relaxed. Well, to be honest, I am probably still talking to help myself feel better. It is good that it is just you and me out here, Tank. Otherwise, whoever overheard me would think that I had lost my mind."

I desperately try to laugh at myself to ease my own anxiety, but it doesn't seem to be helping any. Tank continues to growl quietly as if it is under his breath. Scanning the forest, I realize that I still do not recognize our surroundings at all. How did I get so off track?

"What the h*ll are you doing here?"

I nearly jump out of my skin at the sound of a man's voice. Quickly turning around, I am met with a man that towers at least a foot above me with shoulder-length auburn hair. He looks like he is about my age, maybe a few years older. Twenty-six maybe?

"I'm just a little turned around," I respond, embarrassed by the shakiness of my voice. I don't like sounding weak, especially around a burly man I am alone with in the middle of nowhere. I look down at Tank, and I am slightly put at ease, watching his tail wagging back and forth as he pulls against his leash, trying to get closer to smell the man.

"But … how?" he said, barely loud enough for me to hear.

"Well, it was getting dark, so I started following the smoke coming from my family's cabin," I tell him while pointing in the direction of the smoke. I can't help but be confused by his question. How does anyone get lost in the woods? It's not like you plan it. It just sort of happens.

He looks down at me and seems to realize that I have responded to his questions for the first time.

"Oh, that is not your family's cabin. My sister Emma lives there. That is where I was headed. You are completely turned around … miss."

This revelation leaves me speechless. We have been walking in the wrong direction for who knows how long, possibly miles away from the cabin. More interested in the stranger than my distress, Tank wastes no time in making friends with the man who is now rubbing behind his ears. The man's deep blue eyes look up to catch me watching.

"I'm Hudson. To be honest, I don't know how to help you. I have no idea where you were trying to go, but I do know that it is going to get way too cold for you to continue to walk around outside. My sister might have an idea, though. We can go ask her if you'd like."

My breath catches; this sounds exactly like how people go missing, and then their entire life is shared with the world on a true-crime podcast. Looking at my surroundings, I realize that I don't really have another option. Plus, my dog likes him, and dogs can tell if a person is a psychopath… I hope.

"Yeah, okay. I don't really know what else to do either. Thank you."

"Alright then. Her house is just up this way another two or three minutes," he says with a small sympathetic smile. He probably can sense how uncomfortable this is for me.

"I am Thea, by the way."

He answers with that same smile as we take off towards the smoke I had stupidly been following. Tank follows suit like there is nothing wrong with following a complete stranger home.