There are many things one does after a devastating break-up. Resist texting your douche of an ex after too many margaritas with your girlfriends. Hook up with a stranger in a bar bathroom. Vomit into said stranger’s mouth before getting to the good part. Take a backpacking trip and hike far, far away from anyone who might recognize your face or might have heard the story.

My hands tightened on the straps of my pack. I forced myself to take a deep breath and admire the scenery. The forest trail was dense, thick green trees covered in moss. Humidity left my skin damp and made my hair frizz.

The trees kept some of the heat at bay, but I could still feel a faint sunburn beginning on my nose and forearms. The concerned voice of my great-aunt rang in my head. “Hiking? Alone? You will get eaten by a bear or stabbed to death by a serial killer. Or worse, melanoma. Why can’t you hike indoors?” The fact that walking in place with your remote jazzercise class did not count as a hike did not faze her. She was the reason I had a Costco sized tub of sunscreen in my overstuffed backpack.

I slung my pack onto the ground next to a comfortable enough looking tree and sat down, unclipping my enormous water bottle. My supply of water should last me for the rest of the day, but I would need to find a stream or something to refill before I set up camp for the night.

The sunscreen felt cool as it mixed with the layer of sweat coating my skin. I hadn’t seen any other hikers in awhile. It was nice to be so completely alone. The sounds of nature and of my own thoughts my only companions.

I checked my phone, no service, but the image of my aunt frowning at me through the screen made me laugh. That picture was the only real reason I’d brought a cell phone. My only connection to the outside world, my satellite phone, would be used to track my location if I hadn’t called my aunt by the agreed upon date. Too many people died lost in the woods for me to not take precautions.

Gathering my legs underneath me, I pushed myself to my feet, readjusted the pack, and kept walking. After walking for another hour or so, the trees to my left thinned. They opened up to a clearing on the cliffside. A large flat rock separated the grass from the edge. The view captivated me.

I dropped my pack next to the rock and sprawled across it. The rock felt cool against my skin. I ran my fingers against the cool stone and felt notches and grooves in its service. They felt strange, some lines touching or crossing and others with a gap between them. I pulled my hands back and settled back onto the cool stone, pulling my hat low to avoid the heat of the sun. I sighed and closed my eyes.

I woke with a start, eyes darting around me. Something had woken me. I grabbed my pack while keeping my eyes on the woods around me. My hands dug in blind until I felt the handle of my knife. Easing it out of the pack, the familiar weight lightened the panic growing in my gut.

The leaves shifted. I tightened my grip on the knife as a man stepped out. He stood tall, limbs covered in black fabric accented with red. I pushed myself to my feet and slung the pack onto my shoulders. His face cemented my unease. He looked excited, his eyes bright and eager, and a faint smile on his lips. I stepped down from the rock, keeping my eyes on him. A large watch on his wrist beeped. I moved closer to the trees. He touched his watch, and six more men materialized around me.

My eyes darted around, searching for a gap. To my left, a slightly wider distance between two of the men. I ran. One of them reached for me. I slashed out with my knife, hearing a yelp. My legs pumped underneath until I reached an opening in the trees. Panting, desperately trying to catch my breath while scanning the trees for the best route. The man with the watch appeared in front of me and grabbed my wrist. I screamed as the world around us disappeared.

What do you think? Do you want to know what happens next?