I'm sure of it. That's my first thought at least. I do tend to jump to outlandish

conclusions. No one else seems to have picked up on any change. They're all too preoccupied, messing about with a

fire, chatting nonsense. But I see. I always noticed the little things and Emily has changed.

Is everything okay M I called over?

As I said my mind in these sorts of situations always jumps instantly to the craziest, most

ludicrous, most far-fetched explanation possible as a general rule.

But I'm not insane. The sun is setting and the fire has begun to cast

strange and flickering shadows across the faces of the people around it. There are

six of us here, high school kids.

Robbie's just passed his driver's test and he's driven us all into the wild.

Our first big outing as a group, camping in the forest.

Emily does not respond.

She does not even lock up.

She just stands awkwardly at the edge of the clearing, staring into the flames.

I glance around at the others.

They're all chattering away.

Robbie is flirting with Ariana, I see, with a stab of sharp jealousy.

I don't know if he's getting my hints or if it's just not interested.

And the other two, Kyle and Kai, are both trying and failing to roast their sticks of beef jerky above the fire.

Kai swears and grimaces as his piece tumbles pitifully from the stick and is lost to the flames.

I sigh and I rise, walking cautiously over to where Emily is standing.

Emily?

...