Ready Or Not | ✔

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Three - Ribbons

Sunday, 27th September 2020

KRYSTALLIA

A bright light shone from the forest and I looked up to see the headlights of a Jeep. Pecking Zach on his cheek, I hopped off the hood of the vehicle and stood beside it. Kris parked the Jeep beside mine before turning off the lights and getting out.

"Kitten."

Landon came and pressed a kiss to the top of my bangs, "Missed you so much."

I smiled, "Missed you too."

Taking the paper bag, I handed it to them, "Dinner."

He accepted it gratefully, "Thank you, I'm fucking starving."

Zach and I followed the twins to where our people were sitting. Someone had set up a campfire with logs around it as seats.

"Everyone, gather up," Landon said as he gave the food to KT. Some sat on the logs and some stood. Around twenty of our people will be staying overnight with us, the rest were going home to their families.

"Later, we're going to be splitting into five groups. There are four marked trails so we're going to try and find something. One group will stay here to keep everything safe. If anything comes up, call immediately. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," everyone answered in unison.

"Head out in fifteen," he announced and everyone quickened their eatingpace.

***

Hopping into the Jeep, Zach got in the passenger's seat and Sam got in the back. Starting up the car, I stepped on the pedal and drove to where we found the first ribbon with two other Jeeps trailing behind.

Zach encased my hand in his and held firmly but softly. He rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb ever so gently, silently giving me support.

We soon arrived at the first one and I started slowing into a park as I pulled my hand away to use the handbrake, "Could you get the flashlight out from the glove box?"

He opened the compartment and dug out the flashlight, handing it to me. I pulled the handbrake and undid my seatbelt, grabbing the flashlight. Getting out of the car, I turned the flashlight on and went to where six of them were standing. The last Jeep was parked beside the trees with the engine off.

"You see this ribbon?" I pointed to a dark green ribbon tied to a tree branch. They nodded and I continued, "Follow the rest that is in there. Keep an eye out for any more hints and tracks. Meet back in an hour."

"Yes, miss," they said before starting to trek through the forest. I walked back to my Jeep and got on before wearing the seatbelt. After putting the flashlight in the cup holder, I pushed the handbrake down and started moving.

A few minutes later, we've arrived at the other ribbon. Parking the vehicle at the side, I turned off the engine before getting out with Zach, Sam, and flashlights.

I walked to the others and they had flashlights too.

"We're following this track. If anyone notices anything, tell," I said and they replied, "Yes, miss."

Stepping a cautious step into the forest, I started following the ribbons tied onto the branches with Zach by my side and the rest following.

***

Half an hour in and we've just been following. Damn, did they really walk all the way there?

I was concentrating on finding the next ribbon when we all heard a crunch. Pulling out our guns, we pointed to the general direction of the sound.