Where Is Araminta Green? (ONC 2024)

Chapter 14: Lost

Before even being consciously awake, Jordan grabbed his phone. This wasn't the first time he'd checked his notifications during the night but at this hour, he had greater hope to find what he desired.

Nothing. No koalas. No exuberant messages of encouragement. Not even any feedback on the latest episode of the podcast, which Jordan had dropped the night before.

Since their intimate moment in the car, they hadn't been in touch. Jordan had delved into editing, forgetting everything else until he had a finished episode ready. But now, he could no longer ignore how he had fumbled away a precious connection. His spiraling thoughts had tangled him in a sticky web and Jordan didn't know how to break free.

Foolishly, he had hoped everything would be alright once he released the episode with Jane's interview. He'd convinced himself that Derek would comment as usual, building a bridge toward reconnection in the process. He'd counted on Derek taking that first step because he always had in the past, but this time, it seemed to be Jordan's turn to act. It was his turn to call, text, or koala. But he wasn't sure what to say. How did you talk to someone you had just kissed? It wasn't like the intimate encounter had been bad. On the contrary, it had been rather delightful. But it inevitably changed things between them, which meant Jordan wasn't sure how to proceed. Any attempt at contact felt fraught. What if Derek felt the same as him? What if he didn't? Both options felt equally terrifying because differing wishes on how to move forward could break the tenuous relationship they had built in a short time. Jordan didn't know if he wanted to take that risk, seeing that Derek was the best friend he'd ever had. Not even for a chance at something more. Although it may be too late to take a step back now anyway. The border was crossed irrevocably.

Checking his notifications again, assuring himself he hadn't missed anything, Jordan sat up, rubbing stiff hips from days of barely leaving his desk chair for days while in full editing mode. His intense focus had served as a distraction from the responsibility put on his shoulders and his own ineptitude to handle the task. Not until the mystery was solved could he allow himself to tackle the Derek situation, even if the lack of resolution was constantly present in the back of his mind.

But now, he needed to do something. He needed to find Araminta. And to do that, he needed to go back to the woods. Because if there was one thing that was clear from Jane's message, it was that the woods were filled with secrets. Hopefully, going there would help him find his way.

An hour later, Jordan was more lost than ever.

Moss and pine needles lay beneath his feet. Wispy branches willowed above, shading the bright spring sun.

Standing among miles upon miles of identical trees, he had no clue where to go. His optimistic plan upon walking into the woods had been to find Esme's cottage again. Maybe she had answers to all the confusing questions whirling in his mind. Maybe she had the mysterious cards that Jane had talked about, the ones that had once belonged to Esme's mother Benedicta. Maybe she could guide him toward his next step.

But apparently, Jordan wasn't lost enough. Because Esme had said only the ones who were lost could find the cottage. And while Jordan felt pretty damn lost, the forest wouldn't give up its secrets to him.

Trying to find some kind of landmark, Jordan spun around. There were only trees. High and mighty they isolated him from the world outside. He was alone.

If only Derek had been there. With his endless optimism and ability to find solutions, he would have been able to get them out of this pickle. But Derek wasn't around because Jordan had screwed everything up. He'd backed off when he'd wanted to dive deeper.

Jordan was as lost in love as he was in the woods.

Sitting down on a tree stump that formed a natural chair, Jordan checked the reception on his phone again. Still no bars. So he couldn't use the map app to navigate his way back nor could he alert anyone of his predicament. He supposed his family would miss him once they got home, but that was still a few hours away as he'd left before noon, and they wouldn't know where he had gone and considering that Jordan was an adult, him not being at home shouldn't cause immediate concern anyway.