ETERNAL NIGHT

wering trees loomed like guardians around her, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Even before she exited the car, Ava could sense the weight of the wilderness enveloping her, surr

a man who was intimately familiar with every trail, every hidden valley and every twist and turn of the untamed terrain. Although his gruff exterior suggested otherwise, he possessed a profound respect and reverence for the land, something Ava found

nature reigned supreme. Her thoughts scattered as she activated her camera, adjusting the settings to seize the morning light cascading through the trees. The manner in which the beams sliced through the misty forest floor left her in awe; each moment appeared meticulously crafted, like nature's own masterpiece. Jack's voice pierced through her reverie. "Stick close to me. These trails can be treacherous and it's

le variations in light. Yellowstone appeared vibrant, as if the forest itself was observing her, evaluating her intentions. At midday, Jack guided them to a small clearing encircled by wildflowers. They settled upon a couple of rocks to rest and enjoy a brief lunch. While Ava sipped from her water bottle, she cast a glance at Jack, who see

rness. The light had transformed by that point, shifting to a soft golden hue as the sun commenced its descent, casting elongated shadows that sprawled across the forest floor. Ava could perceive the distant rustling of leaves, the sporadic call of a bird and the sound of her own footsteps crunching on the ground. Everything felt heightened; it was as though the forest itself possessed a heartbeat that pulsed in harmony with her

ough dense brush)." Ava nodded, attempting to convince herself that he was correct. However, something about the shadow's shape and its movement lingered in her thoughts, unsettling her. She had encountered plenty of wildlife during her travels, but this felt different-too swift, too silent. She shook off the feeling and forced herself to concentrate on her work, snapping more photos as they p

increasingly silent with each fleeting moment. An unsettling stillness descended upon the clearing, as if the very forest was holding its breath. That night, while Ava lay in her tent, ensconced in her sleeping bag, she couldn't dismiss the sensation of being surveilled. The day's events replayed in her

was something about this sound that put her on edge-something primal and untamed. In the tent adjacent to hers, she heard Jack moving, unzipping his sleeping bag and rustling about. She wanted to inquire what he thought of the sound, if he felt any concern. Yet, something restrained her. Perhaps it was the way he had gazed at her in the clearing e

eep down, Ava recognized that this was merely the commencement-because whatever lay out there, lurking in the shadows, would