The Last Victim #JustWriteIt

CHAPTER FIVE

Or, as Jay thought so.

'Oh! Wait, I'll be right back!' Janice told them and skimmed off to an old pink convertible, parked quite skilfully near the edge of the clearing.

The place seemed surreal and even though, Jay was accustomed to seeing lots of beauty and appreciating nature, this place was nothing like he had or will ever see again. There was a kaleidoscopic variety of flowers around, merging into, what it seemed the bright blue summer sky above. Similar patterns littered the surroundings, blossoming flowers all around with butterflies and different birds flying gaily about the heavenly meadow. A complete and picturesque portrait, God Himself, seemed to have designed. A sweet fresh aroma was lingering in the air. A slight mist had just started to come down, adding to the scene's splendour. This was normal. The descending mist. Almost every night after sundown, an unexplained haze would come down. This would be so dense at times that it would be a problem walking on the street, let alone drive.

Jay saw Janice open up the rear of the car and lift some things from there.

'What is she doing?' Dawn grumped, apparently upset at her weird behaviour. Jay shrugged. He had known this girl for 10 minutes now, how was he supposed to know what she had in mind? As she neared, Jay saw that she held a picnic basket and a sheet. She spread it over a cosy looking spot between two large, shady, beech trees, and sat down cross legged on it. A short pause followed.

Then she looked up and asked, 'What?' reading their lost faces. 'Come, sit.' Jay followed suit, while Dawn sat down on her knees and smiled up at Janice.

'You are one distracted girl'. Janice chuckled and winked. 'You have no idea, mademoiselle!' Jay watched this interesting exchange, smile playing on his lips.

'Okay, what do you guys want to know?' Janice asked, apparently, pretty satisfied now that they were all comfortably settled.

But just as Jay started to speak, she cut across him quickly, opening up her picnic basket and bringing out things.

'Oh and yes. I have something for you. You may have chips, cookies, and I also packed sandwiches, chicken and lettuce, sardines and pickled onions, and yeah I also have soft drinks and.............'

Finally, she realized what was going on and stopped abruptly like she used to.

'Sorry. I am a real bore!' She quickly corrected herself.

Jay grinned up at her and held up thumbs up. 'On the contrary, I find you quite amusing.'

'Aww. That's so nice of you.'

Janice blushed, the rich red colour which flamed up beautifully against her pale, freckled skin. Oh, she did really seem to be as if he knew her. But he didn't think he had ever seen her before. And yet..... The familiarity was uncannily surprising. And then it hit him. He had seen a girl back in his high school, who kept more to herself and always had her nose buried in a book or two. She was the girl that Janice resembled. Seeing her relax under his soothing gaze, Jay proceeded on to the matter.

'Yeah, I wanted to ask you about this place. Like its history and all. And why the hell do people seem so scared to death most of the time?'

Jay inquired, and instantly saw Janice's smile vanish. He looked at her apologetically.

'I am sorry. I didn't mean to be so harsh.'

Dawn raised an eyebrow at Jay and immediately turned to Janice.

'I am so sorry, Janice. Jay is so naïve, he didn't mean to be that rude but he forgot he was being just that way.'

She said sarcastically. Janice managed a small smile but the tensed features around her face made it pretty obvious that she did not feel that well.