The cabin was alive with warmth and noise—Kate dancing around to a warped cassette tape, Simon dramatically complaining about the lack of junk food, and Josh rambling about cursed towns and killer lore. Deena sat cross-legged on the couch, eyeing them all with a crooked smile.

“You guys seriously don’t get how weird this is?” she said, sipping from a chipped mug. “Like... we’re in the middle of the woods. No signal. No adult supervision. Classic horror movie setup.”

Kate rolled her eyes. “Please. The only killer out here is your taste in music.”

They all laughed, oblivious to the killer slipping silently between the trees outside. Watching. Waiting.