As the day progressed the sun dipped behind the western tree line. Vehicles drove in and out of the park leisurely. Oblivious to the ominous energy that overshadowed the area. Milo sat in his truck, idling not too far from the main entrance. A hushed feminine voice filtered in through the open windows. Absentmindedly, he watched Elaina pace back and forth in front of the hood.

Elaina's nose crinkled and her brows furrowed deeply. She was on her fourth phone call and judging by her expressions, the news wasn't good. A scowl formed. Her hushed tone grew, teetering on becoming a yell. When she yanked the phone away from her ear, Milo knew they lost.

Quickly he pretended to shuffle through his own phone as she headed to the passenger seat. Sighing heavily when she slammed his truck door. He didn't recall her name being on the title.

"So," Elaina turned to face him, "We have no authority to close the park. Especially due to nature taking its course." She used air quotations to emphasize the last four words.

"There was a murder here yesterday!"

"You mean bear attack?" Elaina sighed heavily. "The autopsy reports were received. It's ruled non-homicide. Words from my Director: If I don't want to get reprimanded, I should stop wasting time and resources."

Milo threw the head against the headrest. His face held a look of defeat, but his eyes still a glimmer of hope. They'd spent all morning trying to convince the governor to close the cape temporarily. Hell, they even asked the National Park Director. Every attempt was met with hang ups or criticism.

"What do we do now?"

He turned to the sound of Elaina's voice. Her face was stoic, eyes showing apathy. A frown graced his face. This was not the same spitfire from earlier. Albeit Milo was enjoying the quietness, this just wasn't a time to sulk.

"We continue to do our jobs. I'll go warn people. You can do the same or you can go back to your department. I'll stay at the station tonight. Hopefully, I can catch who or what is behind this."

"I'll join you tonight. McDermott can handle the reports. He owes me."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"You can't honestly say investigating by yourself is a good idea? We both saw the carnage out there." Elaina sat up straighter in her seat. Her eyes followed Milo's movements as he lit a cigarette. Milo sighed.

"Why do you insist on helping? Before you stated it was because of suspicion but there's got to be more. You're a detective. I'm sure you have other cases to solve. One's like these, they don't even get a five-minute segment on the news."

Milo spoke softly and genuinely. His goal wasn't to sass or condescend, he was curious about her investment. While the park wasn't a stranger to instances, it was strange for federal officers to prolong a closed investigation. Elaina was silent as she studied Milo's face. He watched her eyes dart around rapidly, an internal conflict evident.

"I just- I just do, okay? Those people were elderly. They could have just retired. Possibly celebrating their anniversary for all we know. Whatever the case, I'm sure they didn't want to die. You don't go on vacation expecting to be slaughtered. It's not right, it just isn't Halifax."

"Life isn't -"

"Fair. I know that bullshit cliché." She turned away to look at the passing vehicles. Milo's gut boiled. He knew she was leaving something out but decided not to pry further. A peaceful silence settled in the truck.

"Ya know, with the amount you smoke you'll be dead soon. Ten years tops."

...And there it went. Milo grunted before shifting the truck into drive.

"Where are we going?"

"Back to my place. Since I can't get rid of you I need items for tonight."

"I bet you say that to all the ladies."

"You're a pest, not a lady."

It rolled off Milo's tongue so nonchalantly that he snickered when she gasped. She glared at him. Giving a last look at the park he'd hope no one would notice him missing for a while.

"Huh?"

His brow quirked up when he spotted the group he almost hit. They lounged in a small rest area. Two of the women stood near the rear passenger seat of Nissan. The door rested open, and the third woman, the druggie, was rummaging through the vehicle. He recalled their cabins weren't far from the mutilated bear. He'd have to stop by tonight and convince them to keep inside or leave the park.

"What size life jacket do you wear?"

*~*~*

Khalia scarfed down a handful of beef jerky, savoring the meaty treats. Luckily, Jay left his bag in the backseat Even though they had eaten at camp, she felt ravenous. Her stomach released a rumble and she poured the crumbs into mouth. Trinity and Alexa nibbled on the morsels they could get. Alexa chuckled.

"Girl, you need to quit smoking." Alexa started walking towards an empty picnic table. Khalia and Trinity followed her. The quiet chatter of other conversations created a soft hum in the area. Taking a seat Khalia rolled her eyes while pulling out her Dab pen. Hearing Alexa suck her teeth caused her to sneer.

"Khalia I'm serious! I know its harmless and people say you can't be addicted but, baby girl, you're constantly high. If you need to be altered 24/7 you have a problem. Like when was the last sober day you had, and I mean from everything?"

Khalia's grin rapidly faded realizing her bestie was, in fact, quite serious. Feeling her ears get hot she narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not fucking high all day and bitch, the only other thing I do is trip and roll. Why the fuck did you even bring this up? We were having a good time."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"You had a blunt in the cabin, a joint before we left, and you're hitting your pen in the car! I brought it up because you not about to be high around me all the time. I only see you once a year. I wouldn't be surprised if you got pills in your Acid in your bag."

Khalia's mouth hung slightly a gap. Regaining her composure, she gritted her teeth. Bringing her hand up she slapped it on the table, startling a group passing by.

"Yes or no did you take a hit from this?" She held up her green Pen.

"I did bu-"

"Aht! That is the pot calling the kettle black bitch."

Alexa groaned in frustration.

"That hit will last me a long while. You need pace yourself. We're here for a week. What're you going to do when you run out?"

Trinity watched the two, shaking her head, she scoffed.

"Y'all sure you're not frenemies? When did I become a babysitter?"

"Well Ms. Expert, if I run out I guess I'll have to ask Joey to spot me."

"I made Joey quit two weeks ago."

"Made? Bet. We'll see how long that lasts. You should focus on being his partner and not his mother. Cater to your man like Destiny said."

"Oh, fuck you! You don't even have a man! Being a fucking cum dump for a damn stranger! I bet you didn't even use protecting! The respect you have for yourself is gutter level Lia! We're 25 now, grow the fuck up!" Alexa shouted. A few people turned in their direction.

"Okay guys knock it off! We left the guys to catch up, not argue about dumb shit! Come on, it's the second day! You have three more days together." Trinity exasperated.

Khalia pursed her lips together before slowly nodding. Her body held ridged but, in her mind, she slapped the shit out of Alexa, twice. Alexa nodded too but gave Khalia a look signaling the conversation wasn't over.

"Anyway, when are you and Jay getting married? You two already have all the requirements." Alexa quipped, turning her body to face Trinity.

Trinity let a soft smile grace her face. Khalia noticed her pupils dilating at the thought of him.

"I don't know. Sometimes I think we don't have to be married. I mean, we've been together for ten years now. Really there's no rush, right?"

Khalia choked on air and Alexa's eyes bulged.

"Trinity, who cries at proposal videos, doesn't want rush?" Alexa scoffed.

"Trinity, who googles the ending to romance movies, doesn't have to be married?" Khalia added.

"Trinity, who swooned hours ago over me fucking under the stars, doesn't-"

"Okay, okay!" Trinity giggled, throwing her hands up in defeat.

"My record says otherwise. I just think we're incredibly happy either or. If he does propose, I'll be ecstatic. If he doesn't, I'll still be happy. When I'm with him life's good. Enough of me, I want to hear all the juicy shit. Get spilling."

Khalia stared thoughtfully at her future sister-in-law while her and Alexa laughed. Hours rapidly passed as they discussed life events. Alexa boasted of her job promotion and their new home. Trinity had one more semester to complete for her BSN. She and Jay were planning to move to Hawaii, news Khalia frowned at every time it was brought up.

She also had nothing to update them on. Having gotten a degree in accounting, Khalia was lucky to find a job hiring in her hometown. Enjoying the luxury of hitting the mountain trails or going white water rafting on a whim. She wouldn't say her life was mundane, maybe stagnant.

"So," Trinity hyper focused her gaze on Khalia, "If Theo wasn't at the cabin, would you have fucked Marcus last night? Be honest."

"Oh wow, sudden change of topic there. Um, yes, yes I would have. Only because I wouldn't have to see him after." She admitted.

Alexa scoffed, "That's mean."

"How? It's exactly what I'm doing to Theo."

"Don't lie. You know damn well you're going to give Theo your number." Trinity gave her that all knowing look again.

"Speaking of," Alexa stood up, "We should head back now. The sun is almost gone, and I bet they're wondering where we are."

Khalia and Trinity nodded in agreement, and they headed to the SUV. Absentmindedly, Khalia scratched at her wound again, the relief making her sigh. Her thoughts drifted to Marcus and Theo as she made-up scenarios in her head. She wanted to see herself with Marcus, but something pulled her to Theo. A beacon, he blazed brightly and the thought of losing him in the dark gave her heart spasms. Simply standing on his presence made her question her morals.

Oh fuck, I'm not in love, am I? I don't even know this guy. Plus, he ruined my tattoo...I could use that to see him again? Yea...see my...master.

*~*~*

The drive back to camp was short. Khalia and Alexa opted on distracting Trinity with a white lie, having her search the back seats for Jay's "missing" wallet.

"Are you sure it's back here?" Laying down in the back Trinity extended her arm under the front seats.

"I think so. He said he left it in here yesterday."

Alexa covered her mouth to stop the laughter. Khalia came to a stop on the side of the Wolfs Den cabin. Trinity's patience was now nonexistent.

"This man I swear Li-."

Khalia watched Trinity's face twist in confusion when she saw Jay. He was standing at ease with a smile on his face in front of the Murano. The three got out with Khalia and Alexa falling to the wayside. Jay took Trinity's hand and guided her to Bear's Den. Following behind Khalia softly gasped as she stared at the Bears Den cabin.

A thick yet delicate red banner hung across the cabin porch. Gold fringes wrapped around the border of the banner, giving it a regal appearance. Lights wrapped around the posts, emitting a warm yellow glow, emblazoning the banner. Trinity's attention was captured by the embroidery on the hanging fabric.

"Trinity...will you be my Mrs. Schaffer?" She spoke the words slowly.

Spinning around, Jay was kneeling on one knee, a smile on his face as he gazed at the woman who had his heart. The ring in his hand quivered.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Khalia whistled when Jay scooped Trinity into his arms. Claps and cheers rung out when she kissed him. Joey walked to the pit as darkness was creeping in. Throwing down logs he hollered,

"Let's celebrate!"

Like the previous night they gathered around the fire. Trinity, excited by day's outcome, designated herself bartender, much to Khalia's despair. It wasn't long before the feel-good buzz hit the friends. In Khalia's haze she glanced at Theo's cabin. His silhouette moved slowly as it left the porch. Blood rushed to her groin and her clit began to throb. Excitedly she got up, moved by her lustful temptations.

"I'll be right back guys. My mas-Theo is-"

"When? Tomorrow? Don't expect us to wait for you." Marcus mocked. She heard the bite in his tone.

Khalia staggered while rolling her eyes. Walking up she jabbed a finger in his shoulder. "You and I are talking later. I'm getting sick of your shit."

The rest of the gang let out a chortle of "Ohs", but she was already jogging in Theo's direction. A sharp pain in her side made her fall, but rough hands picked her up.

"Ready to call me Sir?"

She slightly hoped Marcus wouldn't see past the fire. If he did, he'd see Theo sweep her off her feet and carry her into the dark once more.