Slash Her

Chapter 4

Walking into the mineshaft a large amount of ash engulfed the area around us. Although it had been renovated it was evident it was once a mineshaft. A lot of the flooring had been replaced with a new hardwood. The elevator nearly stripped out. Still remained was the fastening for the elevator on the roof and the walling.

Following Alex towards the back of the shaft, I felt an uneasy feeling. The floor felt hollow as it began to creak when we passed the middle of the floor. This must have been where the elevator was.

"There it is." Said Alex reaching into one of the containers of helmets.

"Good, let's get out of here, I don't have a great feeling about this place." Replied Jesiah.

Alex let out a scoff but I definitely felt the same way. I may have a trauma with this place but it wasn't just that, I felt the presence of someone, something in here.

As we began to walk out I fell, hitting the ground with a loud thud.

"Are you alright Naomi?" Jesiah asked while Alex reached out for me.

"Yeah I am, just wasn't paying attention." I replied.

Alex pulled me up. When I met his eyes I could see a worried look in his eyes, the thought of me being hurt scared him.

I looked down from where I just fell and saw a trap door. I'm guessing the larger equipment is kept in a lower part of the once mineshaft.

"Where does this lead?" I asked the two guys.

"Probably to a basement, there's no way they wouldn't maximize off of the space down there." Replied Alex.

Rather than stress over it, we continued to make way. As we walked out I looked back at the trap door. A pit filled my stomach.

On our way back to the main lodge, we bumped into Arnold carrying a large crate of basic camping supplies, a potato sack, and an array of vegetables.

"Howdy y'all." He said acknowledging us.

"Hey Arnold, is my mom settling in well?" I asked.

"Yes she's doing just peachy, preparing the freezers and fridges for the campers. Had me get the last bit she needed." He said.

I'm glad mom's fitting in nicely. At her last job the stress weighed down on her so much that she often shut down.

"We're heading back to the lodge now, did you need for us to take anything back with us?" Asked Jesiah.

"Well if y'all could take these camping supplies that'd be awfully kind. I was going to take them back to the athletics cabin but I figure y'all will get some more use out of them tonight." He replied with a wink.

We began making our way back once again. The sun already setting behind us.

By the time we reached the lodge George, Priya, and Zara were already setting up near the outdoor fire pit.

"Took y'all long enough." George said with a stern look, pointed towards me.

"Naomi fell pretty hard and we bumped into Arnold, calm down George." Replied Jesiah.

George rolled his eyes in reply. Priya then walked over to me with a worried expression.

"Let me take a quick look at you Naomi." She said. Before I could protest she rolled up my sleeve, seeing the scrape. "Nothing some bandages and cleaning won't fix."

Time passed by quickly with the six of us preparing for the night to come. Although I fit the normal loner trope I could see myself being friends with each of these other camp workers. Before we knew it, night had reached.

"Let's get this party started!" Zara said excitedly. George and Alex cheered to this, and began preparing the fire. Priya and Jesiah both stood to the side with an uneasy look on their faces.

"I know you guys are really set on this but I think we should just call it a night. We're all tired." Suggested Jesiah.

"Jesiah is right, Priscilla would be disappointed." Agreed Priya.

"It's just going to be a few hours by the fire, relax." Alex replied.

Although I could see the disagreement on both of their faces, both Jesiah and Priya nodded acknowledging that they wouldn't change the boys mind.

George finally lit a spark that caught flame, forming a fire for our festivities.

"Gather round everyone, I think we should have some ice breakers." Suggested George.

"What do you suggest?" Asked Zara with a wink and a playful nudge. From a distance I could see Jesiah let out a breath, clearly jealous.

"Why don't we play a game of truth or drink. We can all go around asking each other personal questions, or simple ice breakers. If you don't wanna answer, take a drink." Suggested George, looking towards Jesiah acknowledging his jealousy.

"Sounds fine with me I just want booze!" Said Alex.

"Since you suggested the game, you should start." I said challenging George in defense of Jesiah.

He scoffed at this, looking towards Jesiah then me. "Alright, I'll entertain this. Alex, who do you find most attractive in this group?" He asked looking towards Alex.

He looked towards me but then quickly took a shot. I could see he wanted to answer but stopped himself.

"Woo that was good, needed that after today! Now, Priya, what's up with the goody two shoes act?" He asked.

"Um... what do you mean? This is just me." She replied.

"Ohh cmon that's a weak answer." Said George.

"Let her be." Replied Jesiah shooting daggers with his eyes towards George's direction. George raised his hands in defeat quickly.

"Well I guess you have my answer, um, Zara... what's your biggest regret?" Asked Priya.

"Well, I don't really have any..." she said clear discomfort on her face.

"We all know that's a lie." Said George. "Just take the shot."

Clear embarrassment was on her face at this point. She took the shot making a face at George.

"Jesiah... whats your biggest pet peeve?" Asked Zara.

"People that treat others like shit." He replied staring at George who at this point was smirking.

"George, what the fuck is your problem?" Asked Jesiah.

At this point, George stood up and pointed directly at me.

"She's my fucking problem, ever since she got here you've acted differently Jesiah." Replied George.

The two both looked frustrated. This was the tipping point for the both, I could tell. Jesiah quickly stormed off, tired of this situation.

"Wait Jesiah, I didn't mean it" yelled George who followed behind. I quickly followed behind George, a distance between him and Jesiah, then him and I.

We dashed through the woods, the distance only growing greater. The shadows made it hard for us to see anything in front of us. Before we could catch up to Jesiah, a blood curdling scream could be heard, followed by someone sliding through leaves.. George and I quickly picked up speed. Seeing a bloody streak down a large hill and Jesiahs motionless body at the bottom of the hill.