Chapter 2 — Arrival at Camp

Third Person

The gravel crunched under the tires of Reid Bennett’s rental SUV as he pulled into the small dirt lot on the edge of the wilderness. The sleek, silver vehicle gleamed against the backdrop of tree trunks and wild undergrowth, its polished exterior an unspoken declaration of being out of its depth. Reid stepped out, his leather loafers immediately sinking slightly into the damp earth, and he grimaced as a streak of mud clung to the pristine soles. He adjusted the cuffs of his button-up shirt, the fabric stiff and unyielding against the cool air. The forest exhaled around him, a medley of pine and damp soil mingling with a faint metallic tang that prickled at his senses.

He paused, letting his gaze follow the trail that disappeared into the tree line ahead. The towering evergreens swayed in the breeze, their sheer scale both majestic and unsettling. The forest seemed impossibly vast, its edges pressing against him in a way that made his chest feel tight. He glanced at his leather watch, its polished face gleaming as sunlight caught it, a sliver of the familiar in a place that felt entirely foreign. Three days, he reminded himself. Just three days. Then it was back to a world he understood.

“Reid, over here!” Lila’s cheerful voice broke through his thoughts. She waved enthusiastically from where the trail began, her auburn curls catching the light as she jogged toward him. Her scarf fluttered behind her like a streak of color animated by the forest itself.

“I thought you might’ve bailed,” she teased, her warm smile disarming. “Glad you didn’t.”

Reid returned a measured smile, shifting his duffel bag onto his shoulder. “Tempting,” he confessed, his voice clipped but good-natured, “but skipping out wouldn’t have been a great look.”

Lila chuckled, her gaze dropping to his mud-smeared loafers. “Pro tip: Those shoes might not survive the weekend.”

“They’re holding up so far,” he replied, sidestepping another patch of mud as she led him toward the trail. The forest loomed ahead, alive with sounds that demanded his attention: the whisper of leaves in the breeze, the distant call of a bird, the occasional snap of a twig. It wasn’t the drone of city life he could easily filter out; this was sharper, more intrusive. He adjusted the strap of his bag and followed, his movements deliberate as though navigating a minefield.

The campsite came into view, and Reid instinctively slowed, his eyes sweeping over the clearing. A handful of colorful tents dotted the uneven ground, their canopies standing out against the muted greens and browns of the forest. Pine needles blanketed the earth, and the faint aroma of wood smoke lingered in the air. Marcus stood in the center of the clearing, gesturing animatedly, his flashy sunglasses perched atop his head. Lila veered toward him, her laugh rising in response to his larger-than-life storytelling.

At the edge of the clearing, Kaia Morgan stood apart, her sun-kissed skin and practical braid catching the dappled sunlight. Her stance was steady, focused, and her sharp gray-green eyes swept over the group like a hawk assessing its surroundings. Kaia exuded a quiet authority, her every movement deliberate and unembellished, as if she belonged to this place in a way the others never could.

As Reid approached, her gaze flicked briefly to him. There was no trace of judgment in her expression, but there was something else—amusement, skepticism perhaps. Her posture didn’t shift, her focus unbroken, as though he were merely another factor to catalog.

“All right, everyone,” Kaia said, her voice calm but firm, drawing the group’s attention with ease. “The tents are set up. Stow your gear inside. We’ll start with a short hike to get oriented. The terrain’s uneven, so make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes.” Her eyes landed on Reid’s loafers for just a beat longer than necessary, the faintest flicker of wryness crossing her face.

“Mr. Bennett,” she said, her tone carrying the faintest edge of amusement, “you look like someone who doesn’t spend much time outdoors.”

“Not exactly,” Reid replied, straightening his posture. “But I’m adaptable.”

Kaia’s lips quirked into a subtle smirk that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Good. Adaptability is key out here.”

Before Reid could respond, Marcus clapped him on the back with unwarranted enthusiasm. “Stick with me, city boy,” he said, grinning, “and you’ll be scaling mountains in no time.”

Reid shot him a sidelong glance. “I’ll keep that in mind.” His tone was cool, measured, masking the flicker of irritation.

Kaia stepped in smoothly, her tone cutting through any lingering bravado. “The weather’s unpredictable. Stay hydrated and keep your footing. Let’s move.”

The group fell into line, Marcus close on Kaia’s heels, exaggerating his strides as if to assert himself. Lila followed, her cheerful commentary filling the air as she marveled at the trees and the way sunlight filtered through the canopy. Reid brought up the rear, his movements slow and deliberate as he navigated roots and loose stones. The forest seemed to close in around him, shadows shifting across the trail with each whisper of wind. His pulse quickened as he became acutely aware of the unfamiliar silence. It wasn’t a void but a presence—teeming, alive, demanding.

“You look like you’re calculating an exit strategy,” Lila said, falling back to walk beside him, her grin teasing but kind.

“Not quite,” Reid said, his voice dry as his gaze flicked to the towering trees above. “Just… adjusting.”

“Give it time,” Lila said, her optimism unyielding. “You might surprise yourself.”

Ahead, Kaia paused at a fork in the trail, her gaze sweeping the horizon. “This way leads to the river,” she said, gesturing to the left. “It’s a good spot to refill bottles, but the rocks might be slippery. Watch your footing.”

Marcus surged forward before anyone else could react, his confidence as loud as his movements. Kaia’s gaze narrowed slightly as she watched him go, her expression unreadable.

Reid stepped closer, curiosity outweighing his discomfort. “Always this prepared?” he asked.

Her eyes met his, and for a moment, her sharpness softened. “Out here, you have to be. The land doesn’t care about how you think things should work—it just is.”

The river appeared ahead, its crystal-clear waters shimmering under the afternoon sun. Smooth stones lined the banks, and the soft murmur of the current filled the clearing. The group gathered, crouching to refill bottles or simply staring at the water’s quiet beauty. Reid lingered at the bank, hesitant.

Kaia knelt by the river, her fingers skimming the surface as though greeting an old friend. The sunlight caught on her leather bracelet, the carved pine tree charm simple yet striking. Reid’s gaze lingered, and a question stirred in the back of his mind, unspoken.

“Nature’s not so bad, huh?” Lila said, crouching nearby to splash water on her face.

“It’s... different,” Reid admitted quietly, his voice nearly lost in the current’s murmur.

Kaia didn’t look up, but the faintest hint of a smile touched her lips, as though she’d heard him. Before the moment could settle, Marcus slipped on the rocks, landing in the water with a loud splash. Lila burst into laughter, and even Kaia allowed herself a small, fleeting grin.

“You’re adaptable, right?” she said lightly, her eyes sharp with challenge.

Reid met her gaze, the flicker of curiosity deepening into something harder to ignore. “Guess we’ll find out.”

Kaia’s smile didn’t linger. Rising smoothly, she gestured for the group to follow. As they left the river behind, Reid found himself glancing at her again. The forest, with all its unpredictability, still felt foreign—but less impossibly so.

For now.