When Secrets Surface (Book #1)

Chapter 16

Dorothy's POV

I stared at a frustrated Sophie trying to locate Dad's car.

"This stupid laptop is not stupid working! Why the flip is it not flipping working?!" Sophie screamed at her laptop.

"Chill. I don't see why you're so angry, " I told her calmly.

"Teapot calling the kettle black," She said annoyed, "I haven't been able to sleep for more than 3 hours for the past few days! Don't tell me to relax".

"I don't see why you're so crabby," I told her.

The lack of sleep is probably giving her mood swings.

Zach walked by us and gently tapped Sophie on her shoulder.

"Leave me alone!!!" She said and lifted her head and saw Zach.

"Wow, what's with the outburst?" Zach said shaken to the core.

"Sorry Zach, I am just tired. Wait you're good with  computers could you find the location of this car?" Sophie questioned him sounding desperate.

"Sure," He pressed a few buttons and the car's location popped up on the map.

"How did you... I've been suffering to locate that car since yesterday," Sophie asked star-struck.

"You kept pressing upload you should have hit transfer," Zach explained.

"What would I do without you? Thanks" Sophie asked.

"Bye," Zach said leaving us alone.

It was showing a nearby forest close to Theo's house.

"When do we go?"I asked her.

"Now, I'll make an excuse," Sophie explained.

Sophie's POV

I've done it. I have become the master of excuses.

I knocked on the nurse's office and she let me in.

"What brings you here?" The nurse asked me.

"I feel weak. I almost fainted in class. Could I please get a permission slip to go home early," I lied, trying to make my voice sound weak.

"Anyone to vouch for you?" the nurse interrogated me, scanning for lies.

"Theodore Brian," I answered," I'll go call him," I left the nurse's office and pulled Theo out of class.

"Babe..." I grabbed his hand and squeezed it a little.

"Could you please please tell the nurse I am feeling weak? I almost passed out during class," I said trying to convince him.

"Sure anything for you," He replied.

Dorothy's POV

We arrived at the forest and I heard my car's engine stop. I picked up a backpack filled with gloves, plastic bags, torches and other necessary stuff to collect evidence.

We ventured into the forest. We spotted many Californian oak trees, gnarled branches stretched toward the sky, a testament to centuries of resilience.

We continued to wander, the scent of chaparral and damp earth enveloped us. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows.

I could feel the crunching sound of leaves beneath our feet.

"Flip," Sophie mumbled.

"What?" I asked concerned.