The Long 7 Days

The river stretched out like a serpent, winding through the dense forest with deceptive tranquility. Its surface, reflecting the pale morning light, was serene—a sharp contrast to the events of the night. Alex, Eve, Jack, and Cole moved quickly along its banks, their pace dictated by the urgency of the encounter with the creature. Each step echoed with the unspoken understanding that survival meant not lingering in one place too long.

Alex led the group, his knife sheathed at his side and his eyes scanning the terrain ahead. Eve followed close behind, her bow drawn and an arrow nocked. Cole walked beside Jack, the two men keeping a wary eye on the water.

The air was heavy with tension, but no one dared break the silence. It was Alex who finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "We're sticking to the river for now, but we can't depend on it for long. It's an open path for anything that hunts us."

"What's the alternative?" Jack asked, his voice tight with exhaustion. "The forest isn't any safer."

"It's not about safety," Alex said without looking back. "It's about unpredictability. The more predictable we are, the easier we are to find."

Cole nodded, his grip tightening on his spear. "He's right. That thing last night wasn't hunting randomly. It was following something—or someone."

Eve glanced toward the river. "If it was following us, we need to figure out why."

As the sun rose higher, the group came across a break in the tree line. A rocky outcrop jutted out over the water, offering a vantage point. Alex signaled for the group to stop, and they climbed the rocks cautiously, their movements deliberate and quiet. From the top, they could see a bend in the river where debris had collected—a natural dam of fallen trees and branches.

Alex crouched, studying the area. "That debris might be useful. Could be something trapped in there we can use."

Eve raised an eyebrow. "Or something dangerous."

"Won't know until we check," Alex said, already descending the slope toward the water. Eve sighed but followed, her bow at the ready.

Jack and Cole stayed on the outcrop, keeping watch. Jack scanned the tree line nervously, his finger resting on the trigger of his rifle. "You think this is a good idea?" he asked Cole.

"Nothing's a good idea out here," Cole replied. "But if we're running low on supplies, it's a risk we have to take."

At the water's edge, Alex and Eve carefully approached the debris. The smell of damp wood and stagnant water filled the air. Alex used a long stick to prod at the tangled mass, his movements cautious.

"See anything?" Eve asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Not yet," Alex replied. His stick caught on something solid, and he pulled it free—a small metal case, battered but intact. He passed it to Eve, who examined it with a practiced eye.

"It's locked," she said, frowning. "But it looks military-grade."

"Could be a cache," Alex said, his tone neutral. "Or bait."

They exchanged a glance, then moved quickly back to the group. Cole and Jack were waiting, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"What'd you find?" Cole asked.

Alex held up the case. "Not sure yet. But it's worth checking."

The group gathered around the case, and Alex used his knife to pry it open. The lock gave way with a sharp crack, and the lid creaked as it was lifted. Inside were several items: a compact survival kit, a map, and a small notebook.

Eve reached for the map, unfolding it carefully. It was old but detailed, showing the surrounding region with marked locations. "Look at this," she said, pointing to a circled area near the river. "This is where we are."

Alex leaned closer, studying the markings. "And this," he said, pointing to another circle farther upstream, "could be where we're going."

Jack peered over their shoulders. "What's there?"

"We won't know until we check," Alex said. "But if someone marked it, it's worth investigating."

Cole picked up the notebook, flipping through its pages. The handwriting was scrawled and uneven, as if written in haste. "Looks like someone's account," he said, reading aloud. "'They're evolving. Smarter, faster. They know when we're coming.'"

The words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the dangers that surrounded them.

Eve folded the map, tucking it into her pack. "Whoever left this didn't survive long enough to take it with them."

"Which means we might not either," Jack muttered.

Alex shot him a sharp look. "Keep it together. This isn't the first time we've walked into the unknown."

With the map as their guide, the group continued upriver, their steps more deliberate. The circled location wasn't far—half a day's journey if they kept a steady pace. The terrain grew rockier as they moved, the forest thinning slightly to reveal jagged cliffs and steep inclines.

The sound of rushing water grew louder, and they soon came upon a narrow gorge where the river flowed rapidly between towering walls of stone. The marked location was just beyond it.

"We'll need to cross," Alex said, studying the gorge. "The rocks look stable enough, but we'll move one at a time."

Eve went first, her movements precise and confident as she navigated the slick stones. Alex followed, then Cole. Jack hesitated, his face pale as he stared down at the churning water below.

"You've got this," Alex called, his tone firm but encouraging. "One step at a time."

Jack nodded shakily and stepped onto the first rock. The stone shifted slightly under his weight, and he froze, panic flashing across his face.

"Keep moving," Alex urged. "Don't look down."

Jack took another step, then another. He was almost across when his foot slipped, and he fell to one knee, his rifle clattering against the rocks.

Cole reached out, grabbing Jack's arm and steadying him. "I've got you," he said, pulling him upright.

Jack exhaled shakily as they reached the other side. "Thanks," he muttered, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"Just don't drop your gun next time," Cole said with a faint smirk.

The circled location on the map turned out to be a ruin—an old stone structure partially buried beneath overgrowth. The building was small, its walls cracked and weathered, but it offered shelter and the promise of answers.

Alex approached cautiously, his knife in hand. The others followed, their weapons ready. The air inside was damp and musty, the scent of decay lingering in the corners. The room was sparsely furnished, with a metal table and a few scattered crates.

Eve examined the crates, prying one open with her knife. Inside were rations—old but sealed. "Food," she said, holding up a package. "Not fresh, but it'll keep us going."

Jack sighed in relief. "Finally, some good news."

Cole explored another corner, finding a small cache of ammunition. "This place must've been a safehouse," he said. "Whoever was here left in a hurry."

Alex's attention was drawn to the far wall, where a series of symbols were etched into the stone. They were crude but deliberate—lines and circles that formed a pattern he couldn't decipher.

"What do you make of this?" he asked, gesturing to the markings.

Eve joined him, studying the symbols. "Could be coordinates. Or warnings."

"Or both," Alex said, his tone grim.

As night fell, the group decided to stay in the ruin. The stone walls offered some protection, and the supplies they'd found gave them a chance to regroup. Alex took first watch, sitting near the entrance with his knife resting on his knee.

The night was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of the forest absent. Alex's thoughts drifted to the markings on the wall and the notebook they'd found. Whoever had been here before them had left a trail, but it was unclear whether it led to salvation or destruction.

A faint sound broke the silence—a rhythmic tapping, like metal striking stone. Alex stiffened, his hand tightening on his knife. He scanned the darkness, his eyes searching for the source.

The sound grew louder, coming from beyond the ruin. It wasn't random—it had a pattern, deliberate and precise.

Alex turned to Eve, who was already awake and reaching for her bow. "Do you hear that?" he whispered.

She nodded, her expression tense. "It's a signal."

"For what?" Jack asked, his voice trembling.

Alex's jaw tightened. "We're about to find out."

The hunt wasn't over. And neither was the danger.