"Quit sulking, and let's get moving," Nichole rolled her eyes at my long narrative of what had transpired between my parents and I, earlier.

Although she was my best friend, our personalities were world's apart. I can't say I'm introverted, but I'm the stark contrast of her loud, unrestrained and wild passions. I didn't know why I tagged along for this camping. Maybe it was my ego trying to counter my parent's disapproval in the first place.

We quit talking, so the flashlights could do that for us. Illuminating our path as we searched for something without a name. She said it was fun going on such an adventure. " You will definitely enjoy it," her lips tilted with a smile devoid of life and her contagious excitement. Four hours gone, I have found nothing and this isn't fitting well into my definition of enjoyment.

"Are you always fighting with them?" Kira asked, and as though on cue, a cry of pain escaped its confine within me, overshadowing her whispering voice.

" What is it this time around?" Nichole snapped at me, irritated but when she turned, she met me whole and unharmed. I was as astonished as Kira was that I totally ignored her contorted face and derisive glare.

" You don't intend staying glued on the spot for the rest of your life, do you?" She asked impatiently after a long while.

Kira shot her a look of disapproval and gently held my elbow. 

I don't know if it was just about the shock that was yet to leave me, or the momentary pain that felt so real, but I could feel something on my back. On the very spot I had felt burnt by a hot iron just awhile ago. I looked up at Kira with a wild thought floating in my mind as well.

“ Why does it feel like her hands are so many?”

And just as I was about saying something to them from that single thought, Nichole turned in our direction from her resting position against the bark of a tree. “ Guys, is it just me or are you also getting this creepy feeling that we haven't been alone from the start of this adventure?”

She stood and got closer to where I was still glued in a daze, " you know, like it's not just the three of us," she said in a whisper, betraying her growing anxiety.

" What are you getting at exactly?" Kira shot at her, and snorted. " Don't listen to her. We have a long day before nightfall. We will get back to the others before dusk," she assured me, and released me from her hold.

It was funny hearing that from her. If I was visually impaired, I would think the flashlights were for fancy. We left the camp late afternoon, as long as I'm aware. It should be 8 or 9pm already. I don't know what has gotten into the both of them.

I exhale, and step away from the spot. It was time I got back to camp, whether or not they will agree, and feeling a bit itchy around the elbow where Kira had held me, I scratched and flashed my torch on the spot. My eyes lingered around the area for awhile in careful examination while she was gone over to Nichole.

I don't know if it's just my mind playing games on me, but my bare skin from my wrist up to my shoulder on the left, had prints of human fingers. So many for just one person.