It had been troubling me all day but I said nothing. Henry and I had been hiking in the Scottish Munroes for three days, camping overnight next to charming little brooks and living off frugal but delicious rations. We'd only been married just under a year and things had not been going very well, as often happens with newly weds I guess, so we decided to get away for a week and do what first brought us together: hiking. Henry had “rescued” me so to speak when I twisted my ankle during an organised hike by offering to carry my pack. We lagged behind the main group and got to talking, soon discovering much in common. We were married 4 months later.
There it was again, that nagging sense that we were not alone.
“Henry?” I called.
“What?”
“Stop a minute, please.”
He stopped. “You ok?”
“Yes, well, no, not really. Do you feel anything?”
Henry frowned. “No. Like what?”
“I don't think we're alone. It's like we're being watched.”
Henry smirked. “Out here? You're kidding, right?”
I must admit it felt irrational. It was late autumn and the hills were devoid of the usual tourist hikers. Even the bed and breakfast we stayed in on the night before we started was going to be closing within a few days.
“I suppose you are right, Hen. Just being silly, I guess. This place does give me the creeps a little.”
He smiled and resumed his walking ahead of me. The thing is, I just knew we were being watched. Don't ask me how. I just knew.
We camped that night at the foot of Schiehallion. It was our third night and we were half way. Henry went off to look for some wood while I started preparations for supper. We had reserved a bottle of red wine and some brie and crackers for that evening because it was our first anniversary. It was good to sit down after the long hike and I loved the heathery stillness of the glens. The gas stove hissed contentedly, gently warming a couple of cans of spaghetti and sausages. Not exactly haute cuisine but when you were hungry and cold then it was the perfect thing. The meal began to bubble and I was just beginning to wonder where Henry was when he returned, whistling to himself. He dropped an armful of tinder next to me, obviously pleased with his foraging efforts. “Its all dry too,” he said, “I found it in a cave, so we should have a decent fire tonight for a change.”
I smiled. A fire would be nice. I still hadn't shaken the creepy feeling I'd had all day and got goose bumps on my arms thinking about it.
We polished off the meal and then sat next to the fire with our cheese and wine.
“It's beautiful out here, isn't it” Henry mused.
“Yes.”
“You know I love you, don't you?”
I nodded.
“It's been a tough old year but I think we're through the worst of it.”
I reached over and took his hand.
“Definitely. I love you too.”
We kissed tenderly.
Suddenly I started. “What was that?”
“What?”
“A noise, like a cry.”
“I didn't hear anything.”
Henry was visibly annoyed. I think he was expecting to get laid. “What's up with you? You're jumpier than a jack in the box!”
I leaned forward and nestled into him. “Sorry. I just can't shake this feeling.”
He smiled and put his big arm around me.
“Don't worry. Even if there is someone or something out there, I will protect you.”
I punched him playfully. “Always my knight in shining white armour.”
“Ow!” he replied, “that hurt. I'm not wearing my armour at the moment!”
We sat huddled together until the day was well and truly gone and the star washed sky overhead shone black as velvet. It was very romantic and I felt my fears slowly dissipate as sleep approached.
I woke the next morning with a start. The sleeping bag next to me was empty.
“Henry!!” I called out, but there was no reply.
I thought perhaps he'd gone to the toilet, so got up and got breakfast ready. Half an hour passed and I began to worry.
