A short story –
Lena zipped her jacket up to her neck. The morning air bit her skin, cold and sharp like broken glass. Pines whispered in the wind around her, tall and silent, standing like dark statues under a gray sky.
The trail sign read:
“Echo Ridge Trail — 7 Miles to Summit”
She looked behind her.
Three of her friends smiled, ready for the hike.
Jake, loud and funny.
Maya, calm and always carrying snacks.
Tom, quiet and careful.
“Ready?” Jake asked, bouncing on his feet.
Lena nodded. “Let’s go.”
…
They walked deep into the forest. Leaves crunched under their boots. The scent of wet earth and pine filled the air. Lena breathed it in, hoping it would clear her mind.
It had been years since she’d hiked this trail. The last time… was with her brother.
Her hands clenched into fists in her pockets.
Suddenly, Jake paused. “Anyone else hear that?”
Everyone stopped. A faint whisper floated in the air — like a child’s voice riding the wind.
“Must be the wind,” Maya said quickly.
But Lena heard it too. A voice. Soft. Familiar.
Lena…
…
Later, they stopped for water. Maya dug through her bag.
“My flashlight’s gone,” she said, frowning. “I packed it. I’m sure.”
“Probably dropped it back there,” Tom said. But his voice sounded unsure.
Jake laughed it off. “Maybe the forest wants it.”
Lena didn’t laugh.
As they walked, the trees grew closer together. The sun disappeared behind clouds. Shadows moved where they shouldn’t.
The path began to look unfamiliar, though the map said they were still on track.
But Lena knew this trail better than anyone.
She didn’t say anything.
They camped near a cliff. Cold wind howled through the rocks. The fire crackled weakly. Jake told a joke no one laughed at.
Tom stared into the flames. “Something’s wrong. I feel it.”
Lena pulled her jacket tighter. The edge of the cliff was only steps away. She could barely see over it, but she knew — down there was where her brother…
“I should’ve told someone,” Lena whispered.
“What?” Maya asked.
“I didn’t mean to push him. We fought. He was yelling and I… I didn’t think he would fall.”
Silence.
Jake looked at her. “Lena… what are you talking about?”
…
In the morning, Lena woke up alone.
The camp was empty. No bags, no fire, no Jake, Maya, or Tom.
Only silence.
She shouted their names. Her voice echoed into the trees.
Echo Ridge.
Her legs carried her down the trail in a panic. She searched until her voice was hoarse.
And then —
She stumbled into a group of hikers.
One of them, a park ranger, grabbed her shoulder gently. “Miss, are you alright? You’ve been missing for three days.”
Lena’s heart pounded. “No, I was with my friends… we were hiking…”
The ranger frowned. “We’ve been looking. You were alone.”
…
Later, in the ranger station, she sat with a blanket over her shoulders. The ranger placed a notebook in front of her.
“You had this in your bag.”
Lena looked down. It was her old notebook. Her brother’s name was written inside. Pages filled with sketches of his face, memories, and apologies.
The last page was a drawing of the four friends she imagined — Jake, Maya, and Tom. All pieces of her.
She finally remembered:
She came to Echo Ridge to say goodbye.
There were no friends.
Only guilt, regret, and a need to make peace.
She closed the notebook and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
The forest outside rustled softly — like someone finally heard her.
…
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