Avalon Resort was still beautiful by morning, but for Karen, the charm had faded into a low hum of unease.
Alex hadn't left her side since breakfast. Not just physically but emotionally, too. He had shifted into full protective mode, answering texts with curt replies and watching everyone around them with narrowed eyes.
He hadn't told her everything, but she could feel it...something was wrong.
By midday, the team was herded into groups for a guided exploration of the local ruins...ancient stone carvings and echoing caves that had existed for centuries.
"Are you sure about this?" Alex asked her quietly as she tightened the straps of her backpack.
"It's just a tour," she said, trying to ease his worry with a soft smile.
"Besides, Luca and Carla are coming too."
"I don't trust this place," Alex muttered, almost to himself.
Luca caught that and tilted his head. "I'll stay close, she'll be fine."
Karen frowned, glancing at both of them. "I'm literally right here, guys, stop acting like I'm going to vanish into thin air."
Alex didn't laugh.
The tour began with jokes and excitement. The guide, a wiry man with sharp eyes and a polished voice led the group into a narrow forest trail that led to ancient stone ruins.
Trees formed thick canopies above, filtering sunlight into flickering golden patches.
Carla was practically bouncing with excitement, while Luca stayed unusually alert. Karen kept close to Carla, but every so often, she caught Alex looking over his shoulder like something was trailing them.
"This is where the local legends say a priest vanished after betraying his people," the guide said as they reached a gaping stone arch covered in moss. "They say if you enter at twilight and speak his name, he might whisper back."
Laughter erupted among the group. A few staff took selfies.
Karen stayed silent, her fingers brushing the note still tucked in her jacket pocket.
And then the guide suddenly frowned. "Wait… we're missing someone."
Alex turned immediately "Karen?"
She was gone.
Panic surged. Carla looked around wildly "She was just beside me!"
Luca's eyes darted through the brush. "Split up!" he barked.
"No," Alex growled, shoving through the group. "Everyone stays here. No one moves!"
He took off running into the woods, calling her name.
"Karen!"
Karen blinked, confused.
She had followed a strange rustling, thinking it was a squirrel maybe even a staff member pulling a prank. But now she was standing inside what looked like a carved-out cave, damp and cold. The entrance behind her was… gone?
"Hello?" she called out, her voice bouncing off the walls.
No answer, only dripping water and the faint echo of her own breathing.
And then...a voice, low and rough:
"Welcome, Karen."
Her blood ran cold.