A Game of Ordeal

Chapter four

"Damn it!" Melissa cursed angrily, watching the sky grow more aggressive. Dark clouds began to cover the bright sun, and the cold wind enveloped everyone in an icy embrace. Elizabeth started to shiver slightly from the cold, but nestled in Robert's warm embrace, she felt better. Terry had perked up his ears, watching the change in the weather, resting his head on Alexander's legs, who gently petted him. The little animal hated this gloomy weather—hated rain and thunderstorms. At home, it would hide and sometimes bark here and there. Feeling the touch of his owner, he was calmer but still on alert.

"A storm is going to hit us," Courtney remarked, taking a sip of cold water. Her sea-blue eyes followed the angry clouds, predicting the seriousness. They were furrowed and serious, and thunderclaps were already heard in the distance. Constantine instantly got to his feet, and along with a few others from the group, began packing everything up. They had to act quickly because the storm was very close, and the distance to the cars was not short at all.

"Come on, Liz" Robert kissed the top of his younger sister's head, and the two of them got up from the soft blanket.

Melissa, on her part, grabbed the blue cooler bag and slung it over her shoulder. Courtney began packing the blankets into the backpacks, while Chloe started collecting the leftover trash. The boys shouldered the heavy backpacks onto their backs. Robert cautiously approached the blonde-haired Melissa and said:

 "Give me the bag."

A warm smile appeared on the girl's face—Robert had been taught never to let a woman carry something when he was around. He slung the cooler bag over his shoulder, and with his other free hand, he took the hand of the younger Elizabeth. The curly-haired girl obediently stood behind him, feeling protected. The group was ready with packing up. Constantine and Alexander, accompanied by Terry, were at the front, leading the others. The dark-haired man spoke up: 

"Come on, idiots! It's time for more fun!"

The hint of obvious sarcasm caused the entire group to burst into loud, contagious laughter. The friends walked together toward the gorge, silently praying that the storm would show some mercy, hold off for just a bit. However, that wasn't the case—a heavy, icy rain began pouring down on the unsuspecting group. Mother Nature had her sad days too—not everything was perfect, just like in life. The rain came down with full force on the majestic mountains, and the thunderclaps drew closer and closer to the group. Courtney started to lag behind more and more—when she was cold, she almost always slowed her pace. Colin, who was also at the back, suddenly turned to see where she was—seeing her shivering, fragile figure in the distance, he began to walk towards her. Just as he was about to reach Courtney and try to warm her up, as much as that was possible, a loud whistle was heard. Everyone turned toward the sound—Constantine had decided to joke with the group again, sensing everyone's darkening mood.

"Colin the Romantic!" his loud voice echoed through everyone's ears. "We all know you've liked Courtney since the eleventh grade, but come on! There's a storm!"

The entire group burst into contagious laughter, defying the terrible, relentless rain and the frightening thunder. Courtney's cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson, and she buried her face in the boy's chest. He, in turn, raised his middle finger high in the air, smiling broadly. Somehow, the two had gotten used to the jokes and the group's attempts to set them up and now responded with a sense of mockery.

"That finger...you know where—"

Terry started barking irritably, staring into Constantine's dark eyes. He wasn't one of the most patient dogs in the world and wanted to find a warm shelter as soon as possible or not waste time reaching the gorge. Constantine, in turn, began making barking sounds to mimic the little dog and tease him.