
For the first time, Cindy believed there may be no rest for the wicked. She rubbed the tired out of her eyes before lacing up a pair of Terri’s boots. It took two cups of coffee to wake her up as everyone sat down for lunch. People told her that she didn’t need to join the search party, but nothing else had felt like progress. The campsite was also getting a little claustrophobic.
Cindy ignored conversation to dig into her grilled cheese while it was still hot. For a brief moment, it seemed like they were actually on a normal camping trip. Even Roberto had set his spear aside to whittle again.
But conversation inevitably returned to the elephant in the tent.
Chris asked, “What if… some kind of spatial warp got Clay when he showed up that morning? We haven’t seen any evidence of another boat, have we?”
“This isn’t the Bermuda Triangle,” Roberto replied. “It’s probably not teleportation. Or time travel, for that matter.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Occam’s razor, for one.”
“What if he was on the boat?” Diana asked, turning to Ciny. “His suitcase is still here. Maybe he came with you, but everyone’s memories were erased.”
“Including the captain’s?” Cindy asked, squirming.
“Maybe he was in on it.”
“I fucking hope not,” Roberto said, clenching his fists. “We might never get off this island in that case.”
Chris quickly asked, “What do you think happened, Cindy?”
She shrugged. “Ghosts? Ghosts do freaky shit. Maybe. If they’re real.”
Alex cleared his throat and said, “Let’s not make ourselves panic. We don’t have any way to really measure or document what’s going on, so the specifics aren’t as important as finding Clay safely.”
Diana slammed her hands on the table. “How are you not freaked out by all this?”
“I’ve always believed there are things in the world we can’t see or understand.” He touched the cross around his neck. “Whatever unholy thing is happening here doesn’t change what we already know. As long as we’re smart, we can handle it, and getting lost in the weeds of speculation is just a distraction. The fact we survived without even knowing something was wrong is proof that we’re not in too much danger.”
That seemed to calm everyone else, but Winter dropped her sandwich onto her plate and asked, “Are you serious? All of you? We’re talking about supernatural shit while someone is being held prisoner?”
“Fuck off,” Alex retorted.
Diana added, “You were in that cave too, Winter.”
“Be realistic. Clay was brought here by someone else. All this so-called supernatural stuff could be anything from hallucinogenic gas to some military sonic weapon messing with our heads. Whoever I saw the other night wasn’t some fucking ghost.”
Alex told her, “The military isn’t going to fuck with some high school graduates.”
“I don’t know about that,” Roberto mumbled.
“It doesn’t matter who it is,” Winter said. “They haven’t killed us, which means they can’t even though we’re onto them. So we figure out who’s responsible, wherever they’re hiding, and we make them pay by exposing them.”
Alex stood abruptly, knocking his chair over and throwing up his hands. “And here I thought this was about saving Clay.”
He stormed off in a huff.
Cindy’s sandwich tasted like ashes now. She set it down and told Winter, “Maybe you’re taking this a little too far. Isn’t the most important thing to make sure everyone is safe?”
“Cindy, do you really not care about getting justice? Someone took Clay, and whoever that was has been fucking with us for days. They’re probably laughing at us running around like chickens with our heads cut off. We can’t just get away; we have to bring the truth to the authorities and the media. People deserve to know what’s really going on and who’s to blame.”
The thought made Cindy a little nauseous. In her anxiety, it had slipped her mind that revealing who she was would inevitably have a ripple effect when they returned home. There was no way everyone would keep it a secret even if they actually wanted to stay friends with her. What if some reporter got the news and wanted to write an embarrassing article or book about her?
Her vision started to go blurry as her breathing grew shallow.
“I really just want to put this all behind me when we leave,” she admitted with a shaky voice. “I’d honestly rather forget about the whole thing.”
“That’s exactly how horrible people are allowed to keep getting away with shit. The truth is important.”
Cindy nodded and looked away, trying to will her heart into slowing down. The clouds in the sky seemed to be darker than a few minutes before. She pushed her plate away and stood up to finish getting ready for the search.
She just needed the breathing room.
Alex was taking a break from the search, but Chris had insisted on coming despite his injuries. Winter refused to let anyone go into the woods without her except to use the restroom; even then, she insisted everyone use the buddy system. Cindy stood at the edge of camp and tapped her foot while waiting for Winter to finish her preparations.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked Chris.
“I’ll be fine, I promise.”
“I just don’t want you to get even more hurt.”
“Believe me, I’ve learned my lesson. You don’t have to worry about me.”
She nodded but barely registered what he was saying.
“Hey,” he said, stepping a little closer, “we’re all going to be alright. It’s brave of you just to come with us, and I’m glad you’re doing it. But none of us are in any real danger. This is just about looking for clues. Okay?”
“...Yeah. Yeah, okay.” Cindy actually did feel a little better to hear that. “How are you so good at this?”
He shrugged. “I just think about what my friends need, and that usually tells me where to start.”
“I’m glad to be your friend, then.”
“I’m glad to have you as a friend.”
Cindy had to turn away so he wouldn’t see her blush.
Winter finally arrived, taking a moment to tie up Cindy’s hair. “It’s a bit of a hike; you’re going to sweat. Are we ready?”
“Wait!”
They turned to see Terri nearly stumbling up to them. “I’m coming too.”
She was pointedly not looking at Cindy, and that fact put Cindy’s teeth on edge. This didn’t feel like an entirely altruistic act. Cindy just didn’t trust Terri.
How did that even happen?
“Three people is enough, right?” she asked Winter. “We don’t want to get slowed down.”
Terri quickly said, “Another pair of eyes and hands would only be helpful.”
“There’s safety in numbers,” Winter replied. “But let’s go. I’m not waiting around any longer.”
She took them into the trees and through the underbrush. Sunlight trickled through ancient trees to illuminate vibrant foliage and the occasional bug or rodent. Everything was fine, but Cindy had goosebumps anyway, as though the forest loomed over her with ill intent. Terri’s gaze boring into her from behind made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
“Are you okay?” Chris whispered. “You’re very tense.”
“Just a little nervous.”
“We all are, don’t worry. It’s very brave of you just to join the search.”
“I- Thank you.” Cindy coughed and looked away. “Guess you learned how to be so brave from your superheroes?”
From behind, Terri said sharply, “Can we save our energy for the search?”
That stung, and Cindy shut her mouth to focus on the forest floor.
They found the dirt path shortly after that. Cindy had expected a deer trail or the like, but this was wide, closer to grooves made by a vehicle. It made her queasy. Even though she’d known for sure other people had been here, this was more tangible than a figure in the distance and more modern than cave paintings.
Chris told her, “Maybe when we get there, we can rent a golf cart for the trip back.”
Cindy chuckled despite herself. “Do you know how to drive a golf cart?”
“Look, it’s the only vehicle retired people are allowed to drive. How hard can it be?” That made Cindy snicker even more. “What’s the appeal of golf, anyway?”
“I dunno. At least mini golf is colorful. Still, I’d rather go bowling.”
“Oh? You’re good at bowling.”
“No, not at all. I suck.”
“Good. I was jealous for a second.”
Cindy laughed again, far too loud for someone who was supposed to be worried about strangers in the woods, earning a scowl from Winter. She said, “We should see who’s worse.”
“Bowling, but golf rules!”
There was a loud groan behind them.
“I would appreciate it if we could focus on the search,” Terri said. “We’re not here to hang out.”
Winter snapped, “The bickering is really getting on my nerves. If we can’t talk without getting into a fight, let’s just be quiet for now.”
Cindy turned to glare at Terri, who returned the gesture.
The road took them further up the mountain. It wasn’t too steep to climb, but Cindy could feel the muscles in her legs protest the change. She kept glancing behind them as the road climbed, and through the trees, she could see the top of the forest they’d just trekked through and the ocean beyond that.
Not much longer, the road ended in a large empty clearing. It was unnaturally smooth and devoid shrubbery. Someone had cleared this and left long ago.
“We should look around,” Chris said, scanning the dirt. “Maybe we’ll find another dog tag, or something more helpful.”
Winter nodded. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. But look up there.” She pointed further up the slope, which quickly grew too steep to walk up. “That big rock outcropping would make a good vantage point. As long as I’m careful, I should be able to get up there without slipping.”
“It’s dangerous,” Chris warned her.
“Safer if it’s only one person. Stay here and look for clues.”
Cindy watched, her chest a pounding bundle of nerves, as Winter started trudging up the wall until she had to start using rocks for support. Everyone stared as she struggled before settling into a comfortable rhythm. Eventually Cindy had to look away and pretend it wasn’t happening just to keep herself from feeling dizzy.
The three of them spread out to scan the ground for anything the unknown strangers might have left behind. Nobody was trying very hard, but it kept them distracted. Cindy actually started to breathe easy again and relax her shoulders when she caught sight of Terri glowering at her.
Grinding her teeth, Cindy hissed, “What is your problem with me all of a sudden? I’m stressed out too, but I’m not taking it out on you. So much for putting your friends first.”
“Don’t play stupid. You know what this is about.”
“I really don’t. Enlighten me.”
“You–!” Terri glanced over at Chris on the other side of the clearing before whispering, “You won’t stop flirting with him.”
“Fuck you. I am not.”
“Fuck you, Clay.” It hit like a slap to the face. “No way you’re that dumb. And for some reason, he’s flirting back even though he knows I’ve liked him for years.”
“No. No, he’s not. He’s not doing that.”
“Do you really believe that?”
Cindy could have bitten her head off. Terri was delusional. There was no way that Cindy had a crush on the scrawny theater kid boy scout. Chris sucked. Him and his dog! If Cindy was attracted to boys–which she wasn’t!–he would be the last guy on Earth she’d even consider. He was just a friend. Not even that: a friend of a friend.
“So you think that just because I said sorry for being an asshole, I’m going to become some domesticated housewife?” She was seething. “I may be a girl right now, Terri, but that doesn’t mean I like guys. You’re just jealous. Maybe I wouldn’t have to talk to Chris so much if you stopped trying to keep me and Diana apart.”
“Shut up.”
“You know I like her.”
“Shut up!”
“Hey!”
Cindy’s heart sank, but it was only Winter calling out to everyone. She had finished climbing back down and was gesturing for everyone to come closer. Terri started walking over, but Cindy waited until Chris had reached them to follow.
“What was that?” Chris asked her. “You looked ready to kill each other.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Winter had taken some pictures with her phone while she was up there. It was a good minute before everyone had fully processed what they were looking at. Nestled in a small valley, well-hidden from sight except from above, was a squat building with broken windows that had been overrun with vines and forest growth. A watchtower with an unfamiliar insignia and faded text made Cindy think of the army.
Her mouth was dry.
“We need to tell everyone about this,” Chris said.
Winter agreed, “It looks abandoned, but it’s the biggest lead we have.”
“There are answers there,” Cindy said, a fire welling up in her chest. “I know it.”
Huh, and here I thought that Terri was mad because Cindy didn't reveal herself, and instead put the others in danger searching for her.
I hope you find something that can help, author.
I thought she was mad about that too
It read like jealousy to me tho
Thank you for the chapter