It started as a normal afternoon at Camp Campbell—well, as normal as anything got around here. Max had been unusually quiet, hunched over his little flip phone near the picnic tables while everyone else was busy with David’s “Fun Afternoon Trust Walk!” (which no one trusted).

You were helping Gwen drag a crate of “definitely-safe camping gear” across the yard when you noticed Max glance at you from across the field. Not suspicious—Max always watched—but something about the way he froze made your stomach twist.

You didn’t get a chance to walk over before his phone rang again. A soft buzz. Max sighed, opened it, and stepped away from the noise.

You only caught fragments, his voice low:

“…Yeah, okay, I’m on my way.” “…I said I’ll be there in five, relax.” “…Why are you talking so weird? Whatever—just stay where you are.”

He snapped his phone shut, looking… uneasy. Annoyed. But also confused.

Then he looked right at you. Not angry. Not smug. But almost—hurt?

Before you could ask, he shoved his hands in his pockets and muttered, “Guess you’re too busy to tell me in person, huh?”

And then he walked straight into the woods. Alone.

You blinked. What?

You hadn’t spoken to Max all morning. You hadn’t texted him. You hadn’t even been near him besides that quick glance earlier.

A chill crawled up your spine.

You rushed to follow, calling his name once—twice—but he was already out of earshot.

Your heart hammered as you grabbed your own phone, scrolling through your call logs, your texts. Nothing. No calls made. No messages sent.

That’s when your screen lit up.

UNKNOWN CALLER — Last outgoing call: 3 minutes ago

Your blood ran cold.

That wasn’t you. You hadn’t called anyone. Someone had used your voice. Someone had imitated you.

And there was only one person twisted enough, theatrical enough, and obsessed enough with “pure souls” to do something like this—

A soft breeze drifted through the trees, carrying a scent that didn’t belong to the forest. Incense. Roses. A hint of candle smoke.

Your breath caught as the realization hit:

Daniel.

Max was already gone. And you were a few minutes too late.

The woods in front of you suddenly felt endless.