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Chapter Eleven - Free Fall

*Trigger warning: This chapter contains substance abuse!*

CHAPTER 11

The day seem to go by pleasantly, with its usual chores and market crafts. It was the first time Hazel had tagged along with Iggy and Claudette to sell their jewelry at the Saturday morning flea market in a nearby town. Obviously, hers hardly sold. Her wire and beaded bracelets weren't up to scratch as yet. It wasn't like reading tissue or blood samples under a microscope in a lab room, but she was determined to perfect the craft. She was desperate to be a contribution.

Hazel sat with her roommates and Iggy at the food hall. She tugged into her cheeseburger with a healthy bite. Most of the people were here digging into their lunch. But there was one person Hazel hadn't seen since the first family gathering.

Emily.

She wasn't in sight. Emily was usually in the corner, never missing her meals. But she wasn't here. Neither was she at supper last night nor breakfast this morning. Hazel was hoping to ask her about the markings today if she didn't avoid her like the plague. She decided to investigate later and instead slipped into the girl's conversation.

"So, what is to be expected at tonight's gathering?" Hazel asked, breaking the topic of how much money they had made during the market.

Claudette smiled. "Just wait and find out." She said as she sipped her bottle of water. "Let's just say you gonna be drinking something and it ain't this." She giggled as she held up her bottle.

Hazel tilted her head and frowned. Iggy shook her head with a smile. "You'll see. We shouldn't spoil the experience for you. You have to take the journey on your own. It affects people differently."

"What experience is this?" Hazel asked. Almost afraid to ask, but intrigued at the same time.

Iggy shook her head adamantly and sealed her lips with an imaginary key. Lunch time was over, and the girls were packing up to leave.

Hazel bit her bottom lip. She didn't like not knowing things and liked to be prepared. "Should I be excited or scared?"

"Scared." Mara blurted out next to her as she stood up and left the table.

"Nah ah." Iggy chuckled. "Be excited, Hazel."

Claudette stood up beside her. "Both." She teased into Hazel's ear.

Hazel sighed and stood up, perplexed. She entered the bright sun as she exited the food hall, breathing in the fresh air. With the rest of the afternoon off, she took a stroll near the lake. She glanced at the people and still couldn't find Emily.

Maybe she was in the forest again, drawing into the trees?

Hazel ventured out into the woods. She strolled to the same spot where she found Emily last. Chills went up her spine at the sight of the familiar huge tree. She was alone. Huge and tall trees surrounded her. She walked slowly up, dreading to see the markings again. Her hands lifted the branches that concealed it and her brows creased.

The markings were gone. Deep and hard lines mingled over the small three crimped lines and oval shape that once were carved. It was clearly wiped out. Someone had scratched it.

Maybe Emily had returned and scraped it out after she realized what she had done? It made Hazel doubt herself slightly. But she shook her head. She saw what she saw!

She returned quickly to the compound and sat with the girls on a picnic blanket. They lazed around under the hot afternoon sun. Dawn relaxed as she laid flat on her back, sun tanning in a bikini top and shorts with sunglasses on. Claudette braided Robyn's red curls into French plaits on each side and offered to braid Hazel's hair next. Iggy sat folded legs on the blanket. Her mind was far away in thought as she chewed on gum. Mara remained in the building, taking a nap for tonight. Emily was nowhere to be seen.