**Chapter 10: The Stranger in the Cabin**

As they stepped inside the cabin, Chris couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The old man gestured for them to take a seat by the fire, and Dakota obliged, her eyes scanning the cabin with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. Chris sat down beside her, his eyes fixed on the old man as he busied himself pouring cups of steaming hot coffee. The cabin was small, with rough-hewn wooden walls and a fire that crackled and spat in the hearth. The air was thick with the scent of wood smoke and something else, something earthy and damp that Chris couldn't quite place. He took a sip of the coffee, feeling a surge of warmth spread through his chilled bones. The old man sat down across from them, his eyes glinting with a knowing look. "My name is Jed," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "I've lived out here for nigh on 40 years. I've seen a lot of strange things in that time." Dakota leaned forward, her eyes locked on Jed's. "What kind of strange things?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Jed's expression turned serious, and he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "There's been talk of ghostly apparitions in these woods," he said. "People have gone missing, and some folks say they've seen shadowy figures lurking just out of sight." Chris felt a shiver run down his spine as Jed's words painted a picture of a haunted landscape. He glanced at Dakota, but her expression was calm, her eyes fixed intently on Jed. "But that's not the worst of it," Jed continued, his voice dropping to a whisper. "There's something else out there, something that don't seem to be of this world. Some folks have reported seeing it, a dark shape that seems to move of its own accord." Dakota's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "What do you think it is?" she asked, her voice firm. Jed's expression turned grim, and he shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "But I do know that it's not natural. And I think it's getting closer." As Jed spoke, Chris felt a strange sensation, like a presence was closing in around them. He glanced around the cabin, but there was nothing to see. The fire crackled and spat, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Suddenly, a loud knock at the door made Chris jump. Jed's eyes locked on the door, his expression wary. "Who could that be?" he muttered, getting to his feet. Dakota's hand instinctively went to her pocket, where she had stashed her phone. But as she realized they were miles from civilization, her expression turned grim. They were truly alone, with no way to call for help. Jed opened the door, and a figure stood in the doorway, shrouded in shadows. Chris's heart skipped a beat as the figure stepped forward, its features illuminated by the firelight. It was a woman, tall and imposing, with eyes that seemed to bore into Chris's very soul. Her skin was deathly pale, and her hair was long and wild, tangled with twigs and leaves. Chris felt a shiver run down his spine as the woman's gaze locked on him, her eyes seeming to see right through him. "Ah, Rachel," Jed said, his voice low and cautious. "What brings you out here?" The woman's gaze never wavered from Chris's face. "I've been searching for them," she said, her voice low and husky. "I've been tracking them for days." Dakota's eyes narrowed, her expression wary. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice firm. Rachel's gaze flickered to Dakota, and for a moment, Chris thought he saw a glimmer of something like recognition in her eyes. But it was quickly extinguished, replaced by a look of determination. "I'm someone who can help you," she said, her voice firm. "If you're willing to trust me."