Tonight is the night we die

Chapter Twelve . PART 1

We reach a spot that seems to be leading straight into the heart of the forest. I am upset to arrive at our destination. It was so nice and liberating to be with Jake, on the road, feeling unstoppable. Coming back to reality after that is difficult. I can tell I am closer to the waterfall than when I was last out there with Alan.

I get off the bike and almost fall, having pins and needles in my legs. I take off my helmet and look at the view. I can't believe my eyes :

" Beautiful, isn't it ? " Jake asks. I turn around to face him and nod. He holds out his hand to grab my helmet.

" You already came here ? " His remark made it sound like he already got to admire that view before.

" Once. A long time ago. " He doesn't say anything more than that. It will have to do to satiate my curiosity. I admire the view one last time. I grab my flashlight out of my bag before walking up to Jake, his hands ferociously looking for something in his backpack. He finally finds what he has been searching for. It appears to be a little packet and he hands it to me. I look at him with a frowned expression :

" What is that ? " I ask, grabbing a little plastic bag. You can tell it is a handmade little package, the plastic probably belonging to something else prior to that. A black elastic band is holding it closed. The whole thing has a weird shape.

" Candies. I've brought you candies. " He says, glancing at the bag in my hands and grimacing " The general appearance is not opening up the appetite, I apologies, but the candies are really good. " He explains and I nod, smiling at him fondly, touched by this little gesture "I did not put any drug in it or... " He stops, squizzes his eyes shut, done with himself " I should have not say that, I did not need to mention it and creep you out. It's just candies, you can throw them away. It's stupid. " He murmurs this last part to himself and shakes his head, looking again in his bag to find his torch. With caution, not wanting to spill everything on the ground, I open his present and grab two pieces of candy :

" I love those ! " I keep one and hand the other to Jake. He closes the zip of his bag and put the straps on his wide shoulders. He grabs it " So if you did put any kind of poison in there, you die too ! " I tease him before bringing the sweet treat to my mouth and he does the same, like it was a way for us to install trust between us. I close back the bag and put in the pocket of my jean jacket.

" They are my favorites ! " He says, chewing on the soft candy as he turns on his flashlight and starts to walk to the entrance of the forest. One more info to add to my almost empty list of things I know about Jake. I imitate him and even trot to catch up.

" I have to say I was not expecting you to drive a motorcycle " I reveal to him as we ventures onto the dirt path. Like I did with Alan, I look behind me one last time, seeing the lights of the city becoming smaller. I turn back around when Jake's voice can be heard :

" It is a more practical vehicle to have than a car. I can go onto smaller roads and hide better and quicker. They are also easier to... Obtain. " I give him a questioning look. I flash my light right in his face :

" You don't have an official license, do you ? " I ask with a raised eyebrow.

" No " Jake's mouth curves into a smile. He pushes my flashlight with his so I stop blinding him " But I demonstrated that I am a good driver. You enjoyed the ride ? " He asks softly, a tone of concern suddenly in his voice.

" I did. Hope we'll do it again one day. " I shrug like it's no big deal despite being thrilled at the idea of having to live that kind of moment again. I see his smile widened from the corner of my eye.

We walk in silence for a while. The noise of an owl or the one coming from a couple of crispy leaves crunching under our feet is keeping us company. I sometimes glance at Jake, who seems to be focused on the ground, furrowing his eyebrows, his lips pursed. I can tell he is looking for something to say. I don't mind the silence at first, but the noises coming from a forest at night are not that relaxing anymore. I can't wait for him to find a way to start the conversation so I help him out :