3. GEORGE TURNS 18 (3rd and final ''George'' story)

Chapter 12 - CLIMBING TREES

The gang had fun over the next few days exploring the beach, mystery moor, smugglers top, billycock hill, and a charming visit to Finniston Farm

''I'd love to sail a boat out to Demon's rock's'' George said ''It looks like an exciting little island to explore''

''We'd have to be careful'' Julie said ''the water around there is fierce, strong waves and currents''

''I think you're starting to enjoy yourself now'' Julian said to George ''you happy you came?''

''Yes I am but I wish Timmy, Dick, and Anne were here I miss them so much'' George said sadly

''Well so do I but its nice with us five, the fabulous five, and I think Julie is awesome to bring us all here''

''Yes she sure is''  

On day three of the holiday George, Julian, Jake, and Chloe set out for another hike. Julie stayed at the cottage saying she felt a bit tired and wanted a quiet day to herself. The other four prepared a picnic and set off.

For George and Julian memories of hikes and picnics with Timmy, Dick, and Anne came vividly to their minds and it felt poignant. But it was still fun with Chloe and Jake

''But no Julie today, we're not the fabulous five today we're the fabulous four today'' George said 

They came to some woods

''Let's climb trees as we did as young children!'' Julian cried with excitement

''Yeah, let's do it! ''George agreed ''Come on Jake, Chloe you have to climb trees too''

''No I can't do it'' Chloe said fretfully ''I'm scared I'd fall out and hurt myself, break a bone or something''

George and Julian roared with laughter

''You sound just like Anne used to'' George said ''She was always scared of everything. You are the new Anne in this group Chloe! The new wimpy one!''

Chloe looked offended ''I am not wimpy!'' she cried ''Ok then you want to climb trees let's climb trees! But let's make it even more fun, a game of hide and seek. Three of us will climb trees and the fourth has to look and find us, the last one to be found was the best hidden and wins the game''

''Good idea'' Julian said with excitement ''Oh my I feel like a little kid again, how childish but fun''

George, Julian, and Chloe ran off to find trees to climb and Jake had to find them. They had 10 minutes to find a good tree and climb and hide

''Ok, I'm coming to find you guys!'' Jake called out after 10 minutes and started to hunt around

Chloe wasn't very good at this. when Jake walked under the tree she was hiding in she started giggling like a silly girl and gave herself away

''Ok Chloe down you come'' Jake said, laughing too ''I've found you, you gave yourself away then!''  

Next, they found George. He wasn't hidden as well as he thought he was and his trainer was seen dangling through some branches

Julian, an expert at climbing trees and hiding, was hidden so well in a tree that the others could not find him. They searched for half an hour and started to walk far away from Julian

''Ok I give up'' George said at last ''we'll head off and leave Ju here, he'll come and find us later''

They headed off leaving Julian in his tree. He was happy there, he liked the view and he wanted to stay here alone for a few hours. The others had gone and he was all alone, just the sound of birds singing. How peaceful and lovely it was here. Julian thought about what a nice day the four of them had had, it almost felt like the magic from his childhood had come back for one day. But it could never be the same without Timmy, Dick, and Anne. It was awful to think, out of the three missing, Anne was the only one still alive. He wondered how she and their parents were getting on over in Australia. He decided he and Chloe should go and visit soon, and George and Jake should come too  

Julian was content in his thoughts and daydreaming when something caught his attention. Something that shocked him so much that he had to look hard to make sure what he was seeing was right. But surely it can't be, right?

Julie was down below walking along with Roland. ROLAND! Julie was with Roland! So Roland was out of prison already? He was serving life, so he must have escaped then Julian thought grimly. But what on earth is Julie doing with Roland? This didn't make sense. They stopped underneath Julian's tree, he was well hidden in the tree. He strained to hear what they were saying

''George is going to suffer...'' he heard Roland say

''But what have you got planned? I wish you'd tell me more'' Julie said ''why did you make me bring them all out here?''

''Because Demon's rocks is the perfect place to dispose of 3 bodies without them ever being found you know that. Once a body goes in the water around those rocks it is washed out and never seen again''  Roland was saying grimly

''3 bodies?'' Julie cried ''you will kill 3 of them?''

''Yes indeed, Julian, Chloe, and Jake are all going to die and Georgina will live. She will spend the rest of her life knowing that they died because of her, I killed them because of her. She will suffer so much pain that her brother and the boy she loves are dead and poor Chloe will just die along with them anyway because I feel like it. The more victims to die the more she will have on her conscience''

''Oh fuck, you're more unhinged and crazy than I realized'' a horrified Julie said ''I truly regret ever meeting you and getting dragged into your insanity you wretched man, you sick lunatic''

Roland punched Julie in the face and she cried out in pain

''Shut up George...oh sorry I mean Julie'' Roland said mockingly ''Do not speak to me like that ever, you will show me respect and not talk to me like that'' 

''I can't let you do this'' Julie said in tears now

''You can't stop me, no one can. Georgina has to suffer and the other three have to die so that she will suffer. You know me when I want something I always get it one way or another. I'll probably go to Australia to find Fanny and Anne and kill that silly old sod Quentin and hypnotize Anne and Fanny again and they will be with me. Everything will work out well for me and Georgina will have nothing but pain and misery'' 

Julian was so shocked and horrified that he started to panic and fell out of the tree by accident, landing with a crash next to where Julie and Roland were standing. In a panic now and terrified he tried to get up and run but his ankle was either twisted or broken and he couldn't move it

''What the hell were you doing up that tree?'' Roland said stunned ''I suppose you heard everything we just said''

''Yeah and you're mad if you think I'm going to let you do this'' Julian said angrily and took his smartphone from his pocket and started dialing for the police ''I'll soon put a stop to this and you'll be back behind bars Roland!''

Roland grabbed Julian's arm and tried to pull the smartphone from his hand. they struggled over it and Roland took the phone and threw it in the bushes. Julian tried to fight Roland but he was weakened after the fall and hurting his ankle. Roland punched him in the face and knocked him out

''Help me carry him to the car'' he ordered the scared Julie and the two of them picked Julian up and carried him to the car