The cabin was exactly as I'd left it: warm wood, the faint hum of the fridge, boots by the door, tools on the table. But now, even these familiar things felt like they were holding their breath. I half expected to find a window cracked or something rearranged, but the place was untouched.
Randall scanned the living room, then nodded. "Good. Looks like he didn't get inside."
I exhaled slowly. "I think he came here just to try intimidation."
"And failed," Randall said flatly. "लेकिन that doesn't mean he won't try again."
I rubbed a hand down my face. "I'm so damn tired of this."
He chuckled softly. "Welcome to mountain life. 99% peace, 1% chaos. Usually caused by people exactly like those two."
He walked over to the window and peered out. The trail cam was still mounted, blinking faintly. "You keep that running," he said. "You'll want every second recorded."
I nodded. "Already planned on it."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the soft patter of rain on the metal chimney cap. Finally, Randall cleared his throat.
"There's something else you should know," he said.
I turned. "What now?"
He hesitated just for a second, then lowered his voice. "Karen's not done. Not by a long shot."
"I figured that part out already."
"No," he said gently. "Not like this. She's... she's got a way of twisting things. Makes herself the victim, makes others the villains, and she gets people riled up before they realize they're fighting for a lie."
"Meaning?" I asked.