Adventure Contest

Mystery of the Spring Family

We are happy to receive another submission from our friend Nila Phillips. This time, it's short story. Please enjoy this adventure!

A knock sounded at the door, three soft thuds against the wood. I look outside in surprise, but was unable to see the person knocking.
"One minute!" I shout and attempt to stumble out of bed. "Urgh stop it blankets!" I try to pull myself out of the tangled mess I made but instead fall on the ground....on my face. This is fineee. No way they would've heard that. I got up and rushed putting on some pants and a jacket then quickly brushed back my hair. Once I finally, just a tiny bit, looked presentable I walked out of the room to the front door. The knock sounded again.
"I'm coming, I'm coming" setting my hand on the door knob a sudden wave of worry hits me. No, it couldn't be Them, They knocked differently.

I smooth out my hair once more and open the door, there stood
"Kyle?"
"Hello, Julie" he held his hat in front of him with both his hands, his black t-shirt framed his torso well with his jeans.
"What are you doing here in a Saturday? Did we miss something yesterday?" I tried running down the list of things we studied.
"No, I was hoping I could take you somewhere today"
"I-"
"Before you say anything, you've been cooped up in your house barely leaving for anything since They left you. You have to get out. You can't sit here letting your feelings muster all up ti-"
"Fine"
"Please come on"
"Fine"
"Don't say no to me again"
I grabbed him by the shoulders "Kyle, I said fine"
"Oh, oh!" His smile lit up his face almost instantly. "You might wanna get properly ready"
I hit him in the arm playfully and go inside and change. I really hadn't been out in a while.
Once I step outside, now in a tank top with geans as well Kyle was smiling still.
"I'm so glad you said yes, I've been wanting to show you this place for years" I nod, halfway in my thoughts related to Them.
We get into his mustang and start driving down the roads of Oakridge Valley. It was stunning. I forgot the beauty in this little town, the historic buildings surrounded by trees and sunlight beating down on you with birds singing. I don't see why more people don't live here, besides for the few cases they had back in the day.
"Any idea where I'm taking you?"
"Nope" I say, "it's hard to guess when it's you driving"
"Fair point"

~~~

We pulled up outside the woods, there was a trail in front of us leading through the trees. Kyle got up and walked around and opened my door while I sat there amazed by the pure beauty of outdoors that I've been missing.
"Come on" he said, smiling, leaning over the door. I get out of the car and we start walking down the path, I think something was said about this park, in the news. It sent a thrill up my spine. I moved here after it happened because I'm a journalist and always follow the story. The one of Oakridge Valley with The Spring Family was definitely a unique tale.
I looked up at just took a deep breath, letting all that has been pent up seep out of me.
"You haven't even seen the best part yet" he says. He jogs down the trail, apparently impatient to my slow walking.
"You realize I haven't done much physical activity in a while, yes?" I say once I catch up to him, my breathing heavy.
"Then it's good for you to get some! Come on!" He picks up the pace, forcing me to as well.
We finally stop for a "few minute break" by Kyle's words. I leaned against the tree, confident in it's sturdiness even though it was against the edge of a steep cliff. Kyle stood at the edge of the cliff, his chest moving with each deep breath and his hair moving softly in the wind. I couldn't help but stare at his calmness, it was nice to see him not stressed.
"Let's go down there" I say, pointing down the cliff. Yes, it was steep, but there was a small stream down below that looked promising.
"You know what, let's do it" I grabbed my brother's hand and we slowly made our way down the hill together. He kept my clumsy butt sturdy. Once we made it down to the bottom I could see the small fish swirling around in the stream.
"It's only about another hour hike till we get to the place"

"What place?"

"You'll see"

I take off my shoes and walk in the water, the cold waves lapped over my feet.

~~~

"Almost there" he said, his grin wide and his eyes full of excitement. We picked up the pace when I suddenly heard what sounded like a small waterfall. I start running through the water and sounds get louder and louder. I keep running till I'm suddenly at the edge of a small cliff over the waterhole.
"Wow" I say.
"Isn't it beautiful?" The water was a stunning green-blue, there was a small waterfall on one of the rock walls and there was a tree trunk that ran across about of a third of the way from the left. "Wanna go for a swim?" He said knowingly. I pulled off my tank top and jeans as he took off his t shirt and jeans as well. I walked up to the edge of the cliff again,
"How deep is it?" I ask.
"Only one way to find out" and with that he jumped into the water causing a huge splash. I laughed and waved at him once he came up again. "Come on! It's very deep! You'll be fine!" I took a few steps back then ran up and jumped off into the water, landing next to Kyle.
"Woooooo!" I yelled. We were both laughing, smiling wide and having the time of our life. "Thank you Kyle, I needed this"
"What else are brothers for?" I hugged him and we stayed liked that for a long minute, till I shoved him down in the water. "Hey! Not fair! I wasn't ready!" I try to swim away, unable to stop laughing when he grabs my foot and puts me under the water.

~~~

It was just the adventure I needed.