The Game

Panic

Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic. I think to myself repeatedly, but of course, all I can do right now is panic.

Sydney and J.T. will be setting out on their next mission soon while I am left here with my thoughts. Tom would keep me company but I don't want to be around him for a while. Especially not now. With how tightly wound I am, the littlest thing would make me snap at him, and although I am still mad at him, he wouldn't deserve that.

"What are your plans for today?" Matt says, jolting me out of my thoughts.

"Why?" I ask after I take a second to regain my composure. 

"You look like you've got something on your mind?" Matt pushes.

"Actually, yes," I say. "And I need to talk to you about it."

"Uh-oh, should I be worried?" Matt chuckles but he comes to sit beside me on the couch. He stays a safe distance away, just in case.

"Maybe," I admit and Matt gives me a look. "It doesn't have anything to do with us, you and me," I clarify, and Matt nods, looking at me to continue.

"Okay, then what does it have something to do with?" Matt asks when I offer nothing further. His phrasing is odd but I understand his question. I hesitate before I bring him into the fold. We need extra help for this unsanctioned mission and so far, Matt seems like the best option.

"I need your help with something tomorrow," I say and again Matt waits for me to continue giving out information but I'm not sure what I should share.

"Need my help with what?" Matt presses, starting to look a little annoyed and even slightly bored. I snap my fingers in front of his face and he narrows his eyes at me. "I'm paying attention but so far nothing is enticing."

"Tomorrow, we are going on an unsanctioned mission," I say and wait for his response. He pauses and looks like he's pondering the idea.

"Just you and me?" Matt asks when he finally speaks.

"You and I will be the only ones actually going out and investigating but we won't be entirely alone," I give him more information and he nods, thinking it over.

"Your friends, I assume?" Matt says and I nod. "Tom, Sydney, and J.T.?" I nod in acknowledgment again.

"Yes, Tom and Sydney will set up shop off campus. J.T. will accompany you and me to our next destination then it will just be the two of us moving forward after that. We will meet J.T. after and then back to Tom and Sydney,"  I lay out the basics of the plan for getting to the cabin in the woods and Matt seems to be on board. 

"What are we actually going out there for?" Matt sits back and looks at me. I let out a breath then sit back too, eyeing him as well.

"We have to search the cabin for any clues," I say and Matt narrows his eyes at me. I hesitate once again.

"Natalie, if you don't tell me what exactly we're looking for, how am I supposed to know the difference between a clue and a piece of wood?" Matt looks at me like I'm stupid and he has a point.

"Okay, please don't tell anyone," I say and lean forward, closer to him. Matt looks at me and then leans in as well.

"Okay? What's going on?" Matt questions me.

"J.T.'s brother was undercover and the last message J.T. got from his brother, had a signal near some cabins. There was also another signal there as well," I say and take a breath before admitting the rest. "The second signal helped us narrow the search radius a bit but we still have some ground to cover."