Chapter 5: Monsters Bring Trauma

Tonya didn't realize she was walking until a branch ended up hitting her in the face, realizing she was on the path back to the parking lot and not in the comfort of the tent, she looked around, beyond confused. "Katy? Sam?" Her shaky voice called out, clutching the end of her shirt, scared. Suddenly she heard talking of some other campers, they had to be at least 12 feet away.


"Bring them."


It was then she felt herself lose control of her movements, like she was someone else moving her through a screen. Tonya desperately tried to gain control over her own body, but it was pointless. Feeling exhausted from trying to gain control over her own body, she decided to just watch and see what happens. What else is she to do?


She walked towards those voices, hearing them better, it sounded like a small family, a mom, a dad, and a kid. She assumed only one kid as she didn't hear another small voice. Watching herself reach the other campers, she was confused, what is happening?


"Excuse me," She heard her own voice call, catching the attention of the family. She was right, a small family, the father had a dark brown goatee and a fishing hat, actually he was wearing full fishing gear, with a red shirt under his vest. The mom had chocolate brown hair, tied in a low pony tail that reached past her shoulders. The young boy, she could tell was a pure mix of the two. "Can you help me? My friends got trapped in the river." Tonya's voice asked, a hint of fear, making the family believe her lie. Or was it a lie? She couldn't even remember anything before hitting her head against that tree branch.


"Of course sweetie, let me grab my rope and I'll help you." The dad said, quickly grabbing some rope out of the back of their white caravan. Tonya began to lead them back to the camp, or she assumed this was the way back to the camp.


Peeking over her shoulder, she noticed even the mom and the kid following, she saw the mom was holding some towels. A weird feeling rose inside her, she felt happy that all three of them decided to follow, but it wasn't exactly happy, it was a like a dark happiness. She couldn't explain it.


Before even realizing it, she stopped in front of a cavern, she didn't even know this place existed, looking around her, she saw the river, far to the left she saw some smoke, and she could make out that's where Katy, Sam, and her were staying.


"Where are they?" The father asked. Before Tonya could come up with an answer, a loud ringing erupted, Tonya instinctively went to cover her ears, forgetting she wasn't even in control of her body, the ringing blared inside her head, without anyway of suppressing the loud sound. The family however, fell to their knees, their arms covering their head. However it did not seem to be helping.


Then a figure emerged from the entrance of the cavern, Tonya froze in fear, the thing in front of her was not human. It had a deer skull as a head, with long bloody looking antlers, fur surrounded its neck down to its chest, it appeared to have a human body, but with hooves as feet, also seemed to have black ripped clothing around his torso. Red blood eyes pierced into her soul. Tonya almost gasped out loud, she knew what this creature was, thanks to Katy being into mysteries.


It was a Wendigo.


The family next to her noticed the horrifying being, the father immediately stood in front of his wife and child to protect them. It was futile as the creature whacked the father out of the way with it's long bony arms, even though the creature looked very fragile and skinny, it seemed to be much stronger than it looked. It's hands ended with sharp claws. Tonya was horrified, she had to look away, thankfully she gained control of her body again and she was able to look away. Upon hearing a scream of pain and a bone breaking, Tonya began to move her legs, as fast as her legs could take her, she was desperate to get away from the monstrosity that laid behind her.


As she ran, she still heard the screams, she even heard the mother cursing her out as Tonya ran. Her eyes were consumed by tears, the salty water streaming down her face as she continued running, the screams never leaving her ears. Even after everything got quiet, those horrific screams continued to blare in her ears. Collapsing to the ground, she held her head between her hands, sobbing uncontrollably, her body shaking. She had led that family to her death, how could she? No, she didn't willingly do that, she couldn't control her actions.


"Tonya!" Katy's voice shouted, she heard footsteps as her sister wrapped her arms around Tonya. Tonya refused to move, her tears spilling out from her eyes, she felt at such a lost. Was she a murderer now? She was glad Katy wasn't bombarding her with questions as she melt into her arms, she felt safe now. But how long would that last? She didn't want to think of that now.


Once Tonya had finally settled down, and broke the hug she looked at Katy's worry filled eyes. She had to explain her disappearance, but how is she supposed to explain something she didn't fully know herself?


"Are you okay?" Katy's voice was soft, concern lacing each word. Tonya nodded, still feeling her hands shaking. "Where were you?"


Tonya opened her mouth, but couldn't form words, she really didn't know where she was. "I-I don't know." Tonya whispered, Katy sighed, wrapping her arms around her sister.


Sam came running over, sighing heavily in relief seeing Tonya, she quickly wrapped her arms around the small frame she had grown to love so much. "Let's get you back to the camp, you look famished." Sam spoke, keeping her arm around Tonya as she led her back to the camp.


Katy took a step to follow. Stopping when the smell of blood hit her nose, she froze, turning around. Her eyes widened at the sight, it was a young woman, with chocolate brown hair, her body was a mess, blood splattered her once lime green button up shirt. Her body was stuck on a rock in the river. Somebody attempted to wash her body down the river.


Gasping at the sight she ran off, following after Sam and Tonya. They were back at the fire, which had died out since Sam and Katy were searching everywhere in search of Tonya, ignoring the hungry flame. Sam had finally finished preparing the oatmeal, handing everyone a small cup.


Tonya's mind kept flashing images of what had happened, even a play out of what had occurred behind her back. She was disgusted with herself, she had to keep telling herself that that monster had controlled her to bring that family to feed the beast.


"That will be your destiny."


The voice whispered, making her freeze. No, she would not allow herself to be controlled like that again. Tonya took a bite of her oatmeal, the brown sugar flavor exploded in her mouth. She smiled lightly. Suddenly a thought entered her mind, maybe being controlled by the beast wasn't so bad, I mean, it's not like she's doing the killing part.


As Sam finished her oatmeal, and helped her friends clean up the mess, she looked to distance, by the treeline, hoping to see a deer again. But, a movement caught her eye. She strained her eyes focusing on the creature in the treeline. Her eyes widened, it was a young boy, with brown hair that was spiked, maybe with some gel, he looked lost. Before she could gain the attention of the boy, he vanished. Maybe she was seeing stuff, it had been a long stressful day.

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