Sink

"Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say," Alice declared in her soft, spooky, low tone of voice as a dim flashlight lit the underside of her neck.

Why are you holding it that way moron? You're supposed to hold it under your chin. Maok ripped the flashlight from Alice's hands. When you hold it this way, it lights up your face and not just your jaw, Maok said with a condescending chuckle that would have been a full, belly laugh had Tess and Parker decided to laugh along. They didn't find it funny though, partly because of Maok's delivery, but mostly because they were too far up each other's ass holes to notice.

Tess and Parker just started dating in September and it's only October 30th so they're still pretty deep in the honeymoon phase.

Pressing on, Maok recounted the story (with his idea of the appropriate flashlight placement) in a somber, chilling tone of voice almost low enough to rumble the ground beneath their campfire chairs. "Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say." Everyone fell silent upon Maok's delivery of the word "scream," and felt a chill deep within their bones. A long moment passed before anyone dared to speak. After another beat, attempting to break the tension, Tess briefly gazed toward the sky and uttered the words "good thing we're on the earth and not out in space." A slight smile broke across her cheeks. Everyone took an audible breath and a sigh of relief was released from their lungs upon the realization that Tess was right, it's just a scary story, no one is in any real danger here.

"Does anyone want Marshmallows?" Alice offered with a soft smile in an attempt to escape the social discomfort. Alice loves Halloween and all things spooky, but no one really understands. The group calls her mean names out of "endearment" but she doesn't feel very endeared. Maok is just an asshole and craves attention.

I'll have one! Tess excitedly responded, Alice couldn't help but chuckle at the eagerness. Tess had been waiting patiently for an hour for these damn smores. Nah, I'm okay, Parker kindly responded. Ohhh nooo, have one please, please, babe... just one and if you really don't want it I'll eat it for you, begged Tess.

Get this girl two marshmallows, Alice, Parker said in a polite manner after rolling their eyes. You got it, Alice replied. Hesitantly allowing her gaze to land on Maok, she asked... Maok, would you like a marshmallow? I dunno, are you gonna put it underneath my neck or in my mouth? Maok asked with a deep laugh. Tess and Parker let out a soft chuckle that they poorly attempted to hide. Feeling embarrassed and frustrated, Tess experienced tears welling up behind her eyes and turned her back to Maok. She abruptly clutched the plastic of the marshmallow bag and began to rip it open, this wasn't easy for her physically. Alice doesn't feel comfortable working out next to other people so she avoids the gym at all costs.

Oh come on! Maok exclaimed, don't be such a sensitive flower, I know you're fine, really!

Shut up dude, Parker bravely added. Maok persisted, What? She's being pathetic and ruining all the fun that we're having! Alice dropped the bag of marshmallows and ran off with her head in her hands. Tess begrudgingly dismounted Parker's lap and stood up. "Don't be fucking idiots while I'm away" Tess demanded in a very matter of fact voice before running after Alice into the woods. Parker disgustingly looked over at Maok, who had gotten the marshmallows from the ground, dusted off the bag, opened it easily and began making himself a skewer to put into the fire. Maok, feeling the gaze of Parker in his peripheral vision cluelessly asked... what? Parker rolled their eyes and quietly added, you don't always have to be such an asshole. Lalalalala! I can't hear you, Maok said in a mocking tone of voice as he stuffed the half burnt smore into his mouth. Of course you can't, Parker mumbled looking up at the stars wishing they could hide and scream there where no one could hear them.

Alice! Alice! Come on, where'd you run off to?! Tess cried out to Alice for what seemed like ages but was actually only about 2 minutes and 35 seconds. Actually it was exactly 2 minutes and 35 seconds. Tess doesn't run much, she was on the track team once but only by default and she chose to do hurdles since that involved the least amount of cardio. As Tess lined up to begin, a tall girl with golden skin, green eyes and long brown curly hair caught her eye. Tess found herself mesmerized by this angelic figure. As soon as the race began, Tess headed for the first hurdle, sprinting with all of her mite. Gazing up at the hurdle, Tess found herself tripping face first in the gravel, humiliated and disappointed in herself. Tess suffered a third degree burn on her left hand and unfortunately didn't get another interaction with the mysterious girl. That was freshman year, Tess is a senior now and hasn't run for more than 2 minutes and 30 seconds since. This was a big deal.

Seated on an unstable rock, Tess gathered herself. Deep breath in, hold, exhale, deep breath in, hold, exhale. She repeated this chant to herself several times. Staring up toward the sky, Tess began to feel high without having smoked anything followed by a warm calmness as if she'd been drinking but she hadn't. Tess sunk further and further into the rock as if time and urgency didn't exist. Gazing deep into the sky, stars sang sweet songs in a soft, feminine voice and clouds whispered sacred secrets never to be spoken aloud.

Back at the campground, Parker and Maok were perched around the fire, Parker was thoughtfully pushing dirt into small circles. Unable to make small talk, Parker sharply blurted... You think they're okay?

Maok slowly looked up as if someone had just accused him of kidnapping or murder or something. It's been five minutes, dude, chill.

Yes, I know, "dude", but they're two people in the woods by themselves and I just think that-

determined to frustrate Parker, Maok interjected mockingly, well if they're together they aren't alone, are they?

You know what I mean! Besides, they might not even be together, okay so can you PLEASE just get your head out of your ass for five seconds so we can think about how to get out of this SHIT?!

Assessing what had just occurred, deep breaths fell from Parker's lungs and the atmosphere suddenly felt stale and quiet. Parker doesn't lose their cool... ever. Another tense beat pulsed between them as they made awkward eye contact.

You're right, Maok squeaked.

I am? Then assuredly, I... I AM. Parker nodded, proud of themselves.

Maok mindfully twisted his marshmallow skewer down into the dirt and stood up.

Let's go. Maok decidedly added. He couldn't allow himself to extend an arm for Parker so he just turned his back and began marching steadily into the woods.

Unsure of what just happened, Parker began following Maok. Wait, skewers! Parker thought and headed back for the Marshmallow skewers that were in the dirt. At this point Maok was no longer visible to Parker. Shit. HEY WAIT UP! Parker yelled. Fuck. Okay. Parker took off into the woods with the slight shake of the head as if to say, here goes nothing.

It didn't take Parker long to catch up to Maok, they, unlike Tess, are actually good at running. They're also a rock climber which Tess finds particularly attractive.

Cool man, thanks for waiting for me, that was pretty stellar. Parker added sarcastically.

You're not even out of breath, Maok elucidated.

It was a good point, they weren't out of breath. Whatever, let's just devise a plan to find our girlfriends, Parker suggested. Maok looked at Parker with a side eye before stating in a matter of fact tone... we aren't together. What the fuck dude? She's weird and like researches Halloween shit in June and likes incents and yoga with the sex looking machines and shit. No, fuck no, never bro. FUCK!

Do you mean Pilates, Parker asked looking toward the ground with a soft smile. Unamused Maok questioned Parker. The fuck is Pilates, bro?

Parker composed themselves before making their hands into "O" shapes, looking up at Maok and then walking further into the woods.

Maok didn't think twice and followed Parker eager to find his "not girlfriend" or whatever.

Marco! No response. Marco! Crickets. MARCO! Maok was yelling with his hands cupped around his mouth like a microphone.

Okay, do you really think anyone is going to reply with "Polo?" We're in the middle of the woods now, with no sign of anyone. We didn't bring anything except the flashlight that you're holding and these two skewers that I thought to bring.

You're welcome by the way.

Parker can be a bit of a know it all sometimes. They crave attention as much as Maok does, just in a different, more sophisticated way.

Fine Jimmy Neutron boy genius, what's your suggestion? We just sit here and poke each other with our marshmallow skewers and dick around until they magically appear and - Hey are you listening to me?

SHH. Parker snapped. Shut up. Do you hear that?

They both listened intently to the sound of the cool wind swirling through the trees and the gentle hoot of an owl perched on a branch nearby.

I don't hear anything, Maok whispered. A moment passed. Hey, I said I don't hear anything. What're you hearing? A brief pause. You're scaring me. Maok tried to make eye contact with Parker but their eyes were fixated on the stars.

Sink, hissed an unknown voice from the distance. Don't fight it, the voice continued. Just, sink. Maok, disoriented, began searching for anything to fight with. Not willing to leave Parker behind, he remained in the same space, holding a skewer in one hand and a flashlight in another. GET OUT OF HERE! Maok shrieked. An ominous silence suffused the atmosphere around them, begging to be filled with something, anything.

SINK. The voice hissed again, now directly behind Maok. The hair beneath his hoodie on the backside of his his neck began rising quickly with the tempo of his breath, and goosebumps hastily trailed his freshly trained triceps. In a snap, Maok suddenly felt a strong pull on the back of his head craning his neck toward the sky. Once more, the voice murmured, SINK.