Unraveled

Chapter Three

The camp her mother brought them to was more of a few pitched tents and a dying fire in the middle than a research center. Books and maps were strewn across a large table with a large notepad flung open with notes scribbled everywhere. The campsite resembled her personality-chaotic and disorganized.

The sweltering sun had begun to lower and most of the students were groaning with hunger and not wanting to put up their tents. Her mother allowed them to stay only a few nights in the camp and then we were off to the next country. They were expected to aide her in discovering more about the entrance to Atlantis, but they would be more like lackeys.

She sat close to the flames, trying to feel the heat on her stiff fingers since the night was cold. The ocean breeze was freezing and it clung to her bones like an unwelcome parasite. Lena was on her left, while John was on her right with his nose in a book.

She used to look at him with admiration, but ever since they have landed on this stupid island with her mother he is been more of a fan girl than a lover. They agreed to keep it professional on the trip, but they have hardly spoken from the moment they stepped off the plane to the second he was wrapped up in her mother's presence.

 "What has you thinking so hard, love? Frankly, your mood is killing my mood," said Lena, bumping her shoulder with hers smiling.

Lena always made it her mission to make either Amara smile or hit her in the head," it's just being here with her is a bit difficult, but I'll get over it." Spending lengthy times with her mother outside of her work or art auctions tended to make Amara grab a drink in frustration.

Or not.

Amara's mother was sitting at the table that was covered in books with a lamp reading a large book with yellowing frayed edges. Her hair had begun to fall out of the disheveled bun she had thrown it in and there was a bit of ink on her face.

Some of the students would look back to her every so often with sighs. Amara could tell they wanted to ask about the research, but were too intimidated by her dominating personality. John was the worse of them. He did not try to hide his appreciated glances toward her mother and she could see his eyes flicker to her often with an admiring glint.

Amara flicked his shoulder and glared at him as he kept gazing after her mother like a little puppy who was staring at food they wanted to eat, but were not allowed. His eyes flew to hers while his cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

Good, she thought. He needs to keep his eyes to himself unless he wants a black eye.

"Dr. Walker," he began running a hand through his hair," Please, tell us about your research."

She could feel him lean into her shoulder a bit, showing he was paying attention to her as well. The warmth from his body was welcomed on the cold night, despite her anger at him for blatantly checking out her mom.

Vivian looked up from her book wrinkling her nose and looked at John with distaste. Amara could tell this was the last thing she wanted to do, as she slammed the book close and pushed back her chair and walked towards the group huddled by the fire for warmth.

Students scooted away in hopes that she would sit beside them, but Vivian chose to stand in front of the fire with her arms crossed against her chest.

"There is a pool of water located in the middle of this island that we have been researching," she said, pointing towards some overgrown trees with a her mouth tight.

The students leaned forward in anticipation.

"I believe that this could be the entrance of Atlantis. If someone was able to dive down into the pool and follow the underwater tunnels, then they would encounter the first obstacles that lead to the city," she said deadpan, as if it was common knowledge.