𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒆 | ✔

14 | The Descent

THE RADIO HUMMED. As she listened in, Lottie held onto the wheel, forcing breaths. All the while, she kept glancing down at her phone, within the cupholder. On occasion, it would ding from a new message. But she already knew who they were by.

Meet me on the mountaintop. There's something I want to show you.

That had been yesterday's message.

Since then, he had been prying for details.

Lottie sighed.

From overhead, the day was breaking, clouding her vision. Her mirror was already down, though, so she'd have to manage.

Only ten more minutes.

On another note, this was better than the dark. If it was a weekday, she'd have the wait until after work.

The experience wouldn't have been the same.

Nighttime would only take away from the beauty of the woodlands. And all its dark secrets.

-

Lottie set it to 'park'. After peering over, hoodie down, she made out another vehicle. It was a grey Coupe parked a few feet away, its back to hers.

When she stepped out, backpack over shoulders, the chill air bit at her.

She stiffened, then straightened. As she began upward, slow but steady, the sand crinkled beneath her feet.

The figure behind the wheel, looking forward, grew more clear.

Then, when she stopped a foot from the door, she called out, "Hey."

They shook their head, delayed.

"What is it?"

There was a huff. After creeping the door open, the figure paused, then peeped out. Hair in disarray, brown and shoulder-length, their grey eyes narrowed.

"Eliott, come on. There's something I want to show you."

Her brother looked past her, then met her gaze. His was heavy; sunken. "Yeah, and what's that?"

Lottie walked aside. "You need to know." With a hand, she waved him over. "You need to see my reality. My truth."

Eliott paused, his eyes unreadable. "Your reality?" Then, face still on hers, he drew his keys from the ignition and stepped out.

"Yeah."

The man nodded, slipping a smirk. It never reached his gaze. "Alright, you lead the way. I'll follow."

Lottie leaned in. "Your eyes - they're red."

Her brother remained quiet.

She cocked her head but began for the railing. Then, with a firm grasp, she held onto them. "You know, these weren't always here." She looked out past the edge, into the woodlands. "This is fairly new."

Eliott joined in beside her. "Must have been enough fatalities."

Lottie glanced his way. "Yes..." Then she scoffed. "But I know a way to get down. A safe way."

He remained quiet.

"I was never one to follow the rules."

"No, you weren't..."

Lottie snickered, dry, and stepped a few feet down. For a moment, she just stared past the edge. "This looks familiar."

He stayed put. "Does, huh?"

"Yeah..." A beat passed. "Come with me. We're close."

"I'm sure we are." His words were muttered. "Why not round the mountain? We can go to the very bottom. Much safer, that way."