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Chapter Twelve - The Initiation

CHAPTER 12

"Where is Emily?"

A few days had passed, and Hazel finally got an answer out of Iggy after she actively avoided the question.

"Why don't I see her around any longer?" Hazel asked, concerned.

Iggy sighed as they both dried the plates clean in the kitchen. "I didn't want to tell you this," she said in a low tone. "I didn't want to scare you and think that Rocky Peaks is unsafe or something."

"What happened?" Hazel urged.

Iggy stopped drying her plate and looked at her. "You remember the strange man that was caught a week ago, and you came face to face with him?"

Hazel nodded. "Yes. The bloody man."

"Emily was the woman he assaulted." Iggy said.

"What?" Hazel said, disbelieving.

But Iggy seemed serious. She nodded her head, tight-lipped. She wanted to leave Rocky Peaks after that."

Hazel stared into the distance. Her mind was skeptical as she tried to digest Iggy's words.

"I saw you guys late one night with the same man." Hazel admitted.

Iggy frowned her eyes and Hazel continued. "You, Dawn, and Robyn came home with him once."

Iggy nodded slowly and grabbed another plate to dry. "Yeah. I know. Mykel told me you saw that." She said. "We went to a bar and grabbed a few drinks. We met him at a bar and Dawn wanted a good time, I guess. But he went home the next day."

Hazel listened with apprehension.

"It looks like he came back for more. I feel guilty about it." Iggy sighed.

Iggy's explanation seemed true. But something else gnawed at her. Hazel decided not to delve into it.

"Mykel didn't want the women to know what really happened to Emily. The women would've felt unsafe." Iggy explained.

She touched Hazel's arm, bringing her back from her wondering thoughts. "But hey... they caught the bastard and his dealt with. Something like that won't happen again and Emily is probably safe at home, okay?"

Hazel nodded her head. "Yeah. Okay. Thanks for telling me."

Iggy smiled. "Sure. Just don't let the others know."

After a while, the girls finished their chores in the kitchen. Hazel and Iggy walked out through the back door of the food hall. Hazel returned to the cabin to freshen up, while Iggy watched after her as she vanished through the front door. There was something familiar about her. Iggy didn't expect Hazel to ask her so many questions. Was it a good thing? She had to talk to Mykel to find out what he thinks about her. Could she officially join Rocky Peaks with all its secrets?

Iggy placed her hands in her dungaree dress pockets and walked briskly to Mykel's cabin. Her brown hair bouncing around her shoulders. She walked past The Webster's, entering their doctor's room that they spent most of their time in. The Elders' contribution was an asset to Rocky Peaks, and they were doing a damn good job, she thought. She helped Mykel run a tight ship around here and was proud to be his right-hand women. It was only fair since she was with him, since it all began. Since before, he had become The General.

She reached Mykel's cabin and knocked on his door three times.

"Come in." Boomed a deep voice from inside.

Iggy opened the door and stepped into the medium-sized space. Mykel's cabin was the best out of all the cabins and buildings at Rocky Peaks. He had his own bathroom with a bath and shower. A small kitchenette, a small living area with two couches and a king-sized bed in his bedroom. Iggy spotted him seated at his wooden desk in the corner. He leaned back in his seat, overlooking his people about their business through a large window. It was the best view.