Chapter Six

Mikey and Jessica ran over (Well, Mikey ran while Jessica power-walked). “What do you mean he’s not there?” I demanded. Tancred sighed and shook his head. “I mean what someone usually means when they say someone’s not where they’re supposed to be,” he said, gesturing angrily. Emma raised her hands as if to keep the two of us from jumping on each other. “Ok, guys. Let’s be rational. Chad probably just went to one of the other cabins for a few,” she declared. “Why would he do that without telling us though?” Mikey asked, clearly puzzled. “Well, we were supposed to be asleep, like, hours ago,” stated Jessica. We all looked at her. She muttered something incoherently and went back to texting. I exhaled heavily. “How about we head back to the cabin?” I said, looking around at everyone. “Maybe he got back while Tanc was getting here.” Emma frowned. “Maybe.” We set off at a brisk stroll. After a few minutes of silent ambling, the cabin soon emerged out of the growing darkness like a bright beacon; all the lights were on. Tancred frowned. “I don’t remember turning any lights on”, he said. We followed as he strode up to the front door. Suddenly, he halted, and the rest of us comically smacked into each other. “Dude!” I exclaimed. “Give us a warning next time, alright?!” I stopped talking as I caught sight of what he was staring at, obviously terrified. “What is it?” Emma asked faintly. Tancred shuddered as he pointed to the ground. “Paw”, was all he said. Curious, Mikey, Jessica, and Emma crowded around me and Tancred. I felt rather than heard Emma’s horrified gasp as she surveyed the scene. There, right in front of us on the porch, was a giant paw print. Next to it, torn and bloody, was the gray sweater that Chad had been wearing.