Ms. Detective on The Scene

The forest has been eerily quiet since the moment I arrived. It’s as though nature has decided to take a break, leaving behind only the occasional whisper of the wind threading through the trees. The trees loom tall and silent, casting long, stretching shadows as the sun dips lower. It feels unnatural, this absence of life, like I’m intruding on a space that was never meant for living creatures. It’s like stepping into another world.

I drop the bag onto the ground with a dull thud and lean against a nearby tree, gasping for air. My chest heaves as I gulp down breath after breath. It’s harder than I thought. I glance around, surveying the area. The spot I had mapped out earlier is perfect—well, almost. The ground is soft but uneven, with the occasional protruding root daring to trip me if I’m not careful. And yet, it’s the only place I’ve found that feels... right.

I can already hear the inner voice of doubt chiming in. What if it’s too obvious? What if I look like a complete idiot out here with all my gear? What if I’m just wasting my time?

I shake it off, reminding myself of the purpose of this whole ordeal. “No time for second-guessing,” I mutter, pushing the doubts to the back of my mind. It’s not like I have any other options.

Now that I’ve set my mind to it, I start unloading the contents of my backpack. I first pull out a large tarp. I thought it was a good idea back home. It’s perfect for setting up a ‘base camp,’ or so I tell myself. I unfurl it, but the wind isn’t cooperating. The tarp flaps in the breeze, making that annoying slapping sound that would make anyone near me wonder if I’m doing some sort of weird ritual instead of setting up a tent. But it’s a necessary step, and I press on, fighting the tarp’s rebellion.

Now this piece of **it- The Stupid Tent

The tent. Oh, God, the tent. I’ve practiced setting this thing up at home, and it was easy. Simple, even. Just a few poles, a couple of snaps, and voilà! A sturdy shelter. But out here, everything is more complicated. The ground isn’t even, the wind keeps pushing the poles in odd directions, and my hands—suddenly more clumsy than I’ve ever known them to be—seem to have forgotten how to function.

This isn’t how it went in practice.

I grunt as I fumble with the poles. They don’t fit as smoothly as they did at home, and I end up getting tangled in the tent fabric more times than I’d like to admit. I’m starting to wonder if I’m secretly being watched by a bunch of forest spirits who are getting a good laugh out of my incompetence. I finally manage to get the poles in place, though I’m pretty sure it’s not quite as taut as it’s supposed to be. Still, it’ll work for now.

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Once the tent is up, I begin setting up my next task—camera placement. It’s a little overboard, but I’m determined to record whatever happens tonight. It feels like the only way to prove something is actually going on in this strange, lifeless forest. So I pull out my camera setup, feeling like some sort of professional investigator. A couple of cameras mounted on sturdy tripods, facing all directions—just in case I catch a glimpse of something supernatural. I’m half-expecting to look up and find the cameras gone, swallowed by the air, but instead, I feel a small sense of pride when I get them just right.

“Look at me, I’m practically a tech genius,” I mutter to myself, stepping back to admire my setup. The cameras are positioned just so, each one pointing at different angles around the clearing, capturing every inch of space. If anything happens tonight, it’s going to be documented.

With the cameras in place, I begin arranging my personal supplies. A bag of canned food—because who doesn’t want to eat beans while waiting for supernatural events to unfold? A bottle of water, non-alcoholic, obviously. I’m not trying to have a spiritual encounter while tipsy. I also make sure to pack my flashlight and a metal rod “just in case.” I know it won’t be useful, but somehow it feels like the kind of thing I might need if a ghost decides to pay a visit.

As I finish setting up, I glance at the sun again. Still hours to go before nightfall. I could sit and wait here, staring into the quiet forest, but that doesn’t seem like the most productive way to spend time. Instead, I decide to try and relax a bit.

I sit cross-legged on the ground, back against the tent, and just breathe. The forest remains as still as ever, but something about this place makes me feel… off. Like I’m being watched. Not by animals or insects, of course, but by something else.

I shake my head and laugh quietly. “Great, now I’m giving myself the chills.”

But then, my thoughts wander back to the real reason I’m here. Mr. OM.

I still don’t fully understand what he’s trying to tell me. He’s such a strange man, speaking in riddles and always disappearing when I need him most. I haven’t seen him since that day, and I’m starting to wonder if he’s even real. Or maybe he’s just a figment of my imagination, some weird creation of my subconscious trying to pull me deeper into the mystery. Either way, I’m here, and I’m determined to crack whatever code he’s left behind.

As time passes, I start feeling more and more anxious. Sure, nothing out of the ordinary has happened yet, but still... I admit, I’m a bit scared now. There’s still a chance to turn back, to pack it all up and forget whatever the hell this is, but I’d only be adding one more thing to my regret list if I do that. I’ve already come this far.

I take a deep breath and steel myself. No backing down now. I can’t be chickening out. Not now. Not when I’ve put this much effort into it. Not when I’ve come all the way out here, alone, with all my gear set up like some professional.

The sun is setting. The big boom night is finally coming... maybe. I got a call from Mom just a while ago, so I had to explain everything again. With lies, of course. I think I should recheck all the arrangements, just to be sure. I go around inspecting the cameras and the surrounding area one last time before retreating back into my base. Now all I have to do is observe from here, since I also placed a wireless live telecast camera.

I step back into the shelter of my tent, feeling the weight of the moment settle in. I’m ready. Or at least, I hope I am.

The sky is turning a deeper shade of purple now, and the wind is picking up. The air feels different, as if something is stirring. Maybe this is it. Maybe tonight will finally be the night.

And then again... maybe not. Either way, I’m here. And I’m not leaving until I find out.