Is this Rare?

Chapter 28

"That's the signal from my mum, back at our cabin." She informs me, "Pack your stuff. We're going to my home. Now."

I pull on my boots and toss my bag over my shoulder. We leave our little cave and go back into the woods. After walking, well hobbling though the woods for fifteen minutes, Andrea turns and says, whispering, "Ok, Chelsea? We'll have to be quiet now. We are getting closer to my house."

I give her a nod and we keep moving forward. Two minutes later, her cabin is lit. It looks absolutely homey and comforting. Nothing like it did when Jennifer and I first arrived the day we got here. And, it's not what I expected at all. In my mind, I expected it to still be dark and cold as it was previously. We step up to the nearest window.

Andrea peeks inside from a window and ducks down quickly. She pulls me back into the woods and we fade into the dark shadows of the forest. We stay hidden behind two large trees and some scraggly bushes. I hear the creak of hinges complaining about being opened. From behind the tree it looks as if a couple of people come out of the building. I'm not quite sure though. I can only see their shadows. The two walk towards us. They are definitely not men, I can tell by their quick light tread. They step quietly and softly through the fallen leaves and scattered sticks.

When they are close enough their conversation becomes easy to hear. When they begin speaking, I know who they are. Instantly. They voices are too familiar. Sounds and expressions I hear constantly. My two best friends. Jennifer and Maggie. They walk past the large trees, which Andrea and I are hidden behind, slowly. Then, their emotional conversation unfolds. I eavesdrop along with Andrea: both of us hidden behind the trees.

"I'm sorry, but we have to find the others. And soon! I mean, they could be dying and Chelsea....." After she says my name she trails off. Picking up again in a sad depressed tone, "She's a total mess right now. I don't even think I can handle seeing her again. You should have seen her, Maggie. You should have seen how pale she was. So lost. I couldn't handle see her in that state. And Ann. I heard her screaming back in the cabin. She kept screaming my name and I called for her, but she just kept saying my name 'Jennifer! Jennifer, please help me!' I couldn't find her. I was too late because she just stopped calling for me. I don't want to even imagine what happened to her or Chelsea. I mean, I just can't-- " Sobs cut off Jennifer's words.

There are quiet for a minute and I risk a look around the tree. Maggie has pull Jenn into an embrace, patting her back soothingly. Quickly, I pull myself back behind the tree. I stifle sob and block out the rest of their conversation. I've become very good at both tasks lately.

I can't believe myself. I physically betrayed my best friends. And, all because I was afraid. I'm not brave at all, I'm weak. I'm a coward. Now, I don't know if we will all be like we used to ever again. Because of me. It's my fault. All my fault.

As soon as the girls walk away in silence, Andrea gestures for me to follow her into the house. When we enter a women, who I suppose is her mother, is sitting near the table. Andrea walks over, pulls out a chair, and slumps down in it. I do to. But, I sit up straight. The woman introduces herself with a strong British accent, "Hello, Chelsea, I am Joan, Andrea's mum. Thank you for helping Andrea and myself."

She already knows my name. But, somehow, that doesn't surprise me. Not when I know how much Andrea has sneaked in and out of our cabin. I just nod. Then, she turns her attention to Andrea.

Joan give Andrea some instructions, "Andrea? What I need you to do now is, take Chelsea and go to the old barn house. I placed our old cow there two days ago. You guys are going to bury it in that stall that is filled with hay. And, hurry back here. When you get back, we're going to town."