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Chapter Four - Rocky Peaks

CHAPTER 4

"Who's The General?" Hazel asked. A curious frown on her face.

"His name is Mykel." Iggy replied excitedly. "We call him The General because he's the leader at Rocky Peaks."

Leader? Hazel thought. What sort of place was this? But Hazel was more intrigued than afraid.

One hour became two as they drove into what seemed like the middle of nowhere. Hazel watched outside the window. There were no houses. No restaurants or shops. Not a building in sight. Just the old pick-up truck on the open road surrounded by beautiful nature. The drive was filled with pleasant chatter about Rocky Peaks. Hazel nodded and tried to absorb all the information given by Gabe and Iggy. But there were so many questions yet to be answered.

Asher turned left, and the truck hit the dirt road, passing into a forest. The wet ground was padded with trees, thick and tall. It was a bumpy ride as they journeyed further and deeper into the forest. Hazel strained her neck forward, trying to see anything ahead. The sky was bright with stagnant clouds. No rain had come, but it didn't help. Hazel didn't know where the hell she was. At last, she glimpsed of civilization. Small buildings came into view.

Restlessness sprouted in her stomach. She was heading into the unknown. This might have been a dumb decision, but a risk she will take. Iggy held her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze.

"We're here." She smiled, that emulated in her bright green eyes. "Home, sweet home. You'll love it here."

Gabe chuckled and glanced back at Hazel from the passenger seat. "Welcome to Rocky Peaks!" he cheered.

Hazel smiled. She felt giddy. Anticipation set in. The truck moved through a steel gate that was opened by a man with camouflage trousers that matched his cap. A steel fence enclosed the compound, scattered with people and small buildings. Hazel looked behind and saw the man closing and locking the gate.

Asher trailed further into the compound and came to a stop. Iggy, Asher, and Gabe climbed out and Hazel clambered out slowly after them, grabbing her backpack. She was still cautious about meeting new people. Since she wasn't very good at it. As soon as Hazel's feet hit the dirt ground. She surveyed her new surroundings.

Rocky Peaks was in a clearing in the middle of the woods. The grounds were spacious and clean. Several bricked small houses were dispersed closed together. A large greenhouse settled on the side, with a building that looked like a mini hall occupied the center. In a short distance stood a tiny shed.

The compound was enclosed with a thin fence. As if to keep its people safe and secured inside it. But Hazel didn't realize just how secured it would be. Rocky Peaks looked like a serene retreat near a lake that relaxed opposite. It was isolated, like an island separate from the world. Maybe that's what its intentions were? To be private. To be a secret? People walked about doing their chores or labor, like Iggy and the guys had said. Nobody sat idle. Everybody pitched in.

A group of women dashed over to them, with warm and friendly faces. Stunning Hazel. She fiddled with her long black hair. Feeling slightly bashful as they approached her with wide, eager smiles. Hazel's light brown eyes drifted to the man that stood at the wayside, the one with the camouflaged cap. He studied her, alongside the girls, with an inquisitive nature.

"Hi!" A blonde woman reached for Hazel's hand. "I'm Dawn."

"Hi, I'm Hazel." Hazel replied and shook her hand.

"It's so nice to meet you." A slender, tall woman chimed in with two dark pigtails that hung low. "I'm Claudette."

"Hello." A nervous Hazel replied.