𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬 ➪ the wilds

FIVE - Shattered

FIVE

The evening sun hung low in the sky as the girls gathered for dinner, it was their last night of freedom before the campers arrived tomorrow afternoon. Naturally, they were enjoying their peace and quiet; trying to conserve as much energy as possible before the children had them on their toes night and day.

Toni was grateful for the full spread of food in front of her, the smell making the pangs of hunger amplify. She felt like Harry Potter in the Philosopher's Stone, seeing the feast in the Great Hall for the first time; except she didn't have the dorky glasses nor the wizarding magic. Albeit, she was still very happy, the memory reminding her of when she and Martha would watch Harry Potter.

However, she wouldn't get so much as a bite in before Dot rushed towards their table, looking noticeably distraught. The laughter at the table seemed to dissipate instantly upon her arrival, solemn expressions gracing their features.

"Dottie, why the long face?" Shelby asked, her brows furrowed.

Toni felt a knot tying itself in her stomach, "It's Fatin, I can't find her anywhere." Dot explained, her lip pursed, hands agitated.

Most of the girls looked around, trying to piece together where they had last seen the girl, she wasn't hard to miss so Shelby wondered why they had only just noticed her gone.

Rachel laughed, "Did you check the beach? She's probably catching the last of the sun... You know equal tanning or some bullshit,"

"This is my fault, I should've kept my mouth shut." Leah agonized, guilt written all over her face as she avoided eye contact with the group.

"What did you say to her?" Dot aggressively questioned, anger spilling over.

Each girl's voice began getting louder and louder as they tried to argue over what had happened to Fatin and where she was. Toni decided she had enough, the bickering setting her on edge.

"Guys seriously, be quiet!" Her voice breaking through the chaos, Shelby couldn't help but look at her from the other end of the table where she and Martha sat.

The sun now shadowing Toni in a beautiful evening glow, she looked powerful as she restored order. Shelby found it hard to peel her eyes off of the brunette as she spoke again.

"We don't have much daylight so let's not waste it, yeah?" Toni surveyed the group making her decision. "Rachel, Dot and I will go into the forest, Nora and Leah you stay here in case she comes back and Marty you look around the beaches, got it?" She looked at the girls, hoping for once they could all agree.

Shelby raised her hand from the end of the table, "And what about me? My daddy always says many hands make light work," She grinned her beaming megawatt smile, hoping Toni had merely overlooked her and not forgotten.

Martha tried to interject, Toni was unsure if she was trying to help herself or Shelby with her consolation; she wasn't used to sharing Martha so the thought made her feel uneasy.

"Shelby you fainted, I think Toni's trying to get you to rest." She explained, her eyes flickering between Shelby's and Toni.

"Well, I have helped with many search and rescue groups back home, so I'll be going with," Shelby was taken aback by Martha's concern. She felt fine, it was nothing she wasn't used to. "Seriously Martha, the Lord has my back and it was just a little heat exhaustion, nothin' major!"