One Last Prayer

Part 21

Going down the mountain was just as hard as it was to climb up. My legs were trembling like a baby deer's would be the first time they stand. My muscles tried multiple times to give out on me and the steep slopes we climbed like a jungle gym to get to the top were scary, rough slides I would never choose to go down on my own. At one point I stood on some dirt that had a fairly big dip, I waited a minute, sorting my thoughts. I couldn't decide if I wanted to jump or if I wanted to sit down and slide off. The rush of the climb was over and I was just ready to be back on a flat surface where there would be no possibility of falling to my death.

"Take my hand." Trey said in a gentle voice. Chase was several yards behind us with the others, coaxing Tessa and trying to carry her weight. Her legs must've been feeling exactly like mine. I look down at Trey who was one step below me, but still not off the slope of hard dirt. I took his hand and smiled, barely putting my weight on the next step closer to him. "I've got you, Roo." As soon as he spoke the words, the dirt from under my step started to crumble. Instead of letting my body fly forward I pushed myself back onto my butt like the boys had told us to do before starting the trek down. He moved his hand from mine only to replace it on my upper arm, holding me like a child trying to run from their parent. As he tried to pull me up the dirt started to cascade from under his feet and seconds later we were both sliding down, dirt rising all around us in gusts of wind. It lasted about ten seconds before we stopped sliding, but my behind will be extremely bruised in the morning. I'm sure of it.

"Trey! You all good?" Chase had called out. I would have wondered why he didn't ask me but I knew instantly that he wanted Trey to be okay so that he could take care of me. Aside from Chase, Trey is probably the most protective person of me in my life.

"We're fine." Trey shouted back and we looked at each other blankly as he looked me up and down to make sure I was alive and well. I tried to pat some of the dirt from his shoulder and he wiped my cheek. We both started laughing at the site of each other as we stood and continued the next hour of what I'm sure my Hell will be if I end up there someday.

We all climb into the car, moaning as we move. I guess I'm not the only one in pain. We all fell several times on the way down and not every time was as funny as the first. I slide into the middle seat in the back and feel my heart calm down as soon as Chase is next to me. He doesn't say anything. He just moves his arm to wrap around me and I let my body collapse into his. I must fall asleep along the way because the next thing I know, the sound of silence as the car slows wakes me up.

"What the fuck?" It's Chase's voice.

"What is he doing?" David's is next.

My eyes pop open and I see my dad staring at the car we're in as he crosses the street to return to his house. He looks ahead making sure to break eye contact with whoever he's looking at as he goes back inside and shuts the door.

"What happened?" My voice cracks and I try to clear my throat but suddenly it's as dry as the Sahara.

"He put something in the mailbox." Chase mutters. As soon as the car is in our driveway he climbs out of the seat.

Trey rolls down his window to call out to Chase as if I'm not still partially in the car. "Do you want us to stay?"

I look back at him as I close the door. What does he think? That my dad might want to rumble?

Chase just shakes his head as he pulls the envelope out of our mailbox.

"Nah man. See you later." Chase says as he walks to me and grabs my hand. The gesture is small but feels protective. He leads me into the house. Once we're in the door he hands me the envelope. He stares down at me without saying anything as I turn it over in my hands, inspecting the blank canvas.