Is This Smart? (Under editing and revising)

Chapter 23

Half frightened, I peer out into the thickly wooded area surrounding the cave. We had pulled the curtain of vines to the side and tied them back earlier to let the outside light in. I survey they forest, looking for whatever could have made that shuffling noise. It could have been anything, anything at all. A squirrel, a falling rock or branch. A person.

Oh no! Now I'm thinking that it could be Mary. I mean, she was at the hotel a few days ago. But, how could that even be possible? Last we saw or heard her was all the way back in Washington, not Canada. It's not her, it can't be. I catch a glimpse of a reddish color just behind a big tree. Mary has always wore a red dress or apron. Ever time we've seen her. Always had something red. Always.

Just then, I remember something else that's a reddish color. Jennifer's beautiful long hair. It's not completely red, just slightly tinted that color. At first, I'm not convinced. But then, my curiosity grows. "Jennifer?" I whisper under my breath. Could it really be Jenn? Oh, how I hope it is!

I turn around and find that Maggie and Ann stand right behind me, also observing the forest. Clearly, they haven't seen anything, well, that, or they just aren't showing it. Slowly, I move a few steps more out of the cave. The flash is gone and hasn't made another appearance. None of us talk, what if it really is Mary? Who knows how much grief that would cause us? As if we're not in enough trouble, as of late.

Cautiously, I call out, "Jennifer??" For a short second, the color reappears, but now it's behind a thick shrubby bush, so it's much more faint. "Jennifer?" I call out, louder this time, while moving close to, what I hope, isn't a trap. More shuffling occurs. Then the shape of a person appears around the corner of the bush.

I jump up and hobble as fast as I can manage towards the person, "Jennifer!" I shriek while trying to run, stumbling and tripping over the forest floor and my own two feet. Momentarily, Maggie and Ann follow after me, well, they pass me quickly, but I'm not surprised. I'm slow, with or without an injury.

Jennifer fully revels herself from behind the shrubbery. I can visibly see her brace herself, lest she get knocked over by Maggie or Ann. I make my way to them and Jennifer pulls me into the biggest hug I've ever received.

I've only been apart from her for one day. But, I've missed her so much, it nearly overwhelmed me like a plague. I didn't help that we had no clue what was happening to her. Let alone, why Samantha told us it wasn't safe anymore. If it wasn't safe for us, why was Jennifer left behind?

After we've all been reunited, Jennifer follows us back to the cave, helping me along the way. We all settle down inside the cave.

"So, what actually happened?" Ann asks, inquisitively.

Jennifer just smiles and sighs, "Well... That's a long story. But, I can try and summarize it." She begins to explain everything that happened from the she left to explore Samantha's house to how she arrived here, with us. She briefly notes that Joan had helped her. again. Apparently, she had seen, or heard, Mary again. I'm 100% baffled and confused. How is it possible? We are in Canada, not Washington! She explains how Samantha acquired that old house and who lived in it perviously. How Samantha shares a family tree with Joan's. About how Joan's father, the man called Jessie from the album with found, was drunk, violent, and, eventually, insane. After she's explained everything, we all just stare at her in silence. "Well? What do you think?" She asks.

I sigh and wait for someone to answer. Neither Maggie nor Ann does, so I decide to, "Well, I think we should go home. Anyone know how to get back to the city?" Somehow, this makes everyone smile. I can tell they all agree. We collect our few various belongings and head back. Back to a really safe place. Home. Together.

Before we leave, we show Jennifer everything we've found. When she sees Mary's doll, she reacts just as I had. A blank look on her face, but eyes opened wide. Careful not to break it this time, she gently places it back in its spot on the shelf. Quickly, we leave the cave and its contents and memories behind. It's just afternoon when we leave the cave

We trek back through the trees, mountains, and valleys, back to the park. The journey is long and tiring, especially after what a long few days we've had. Eventually, we arrive at a familiar place. Somehow, we stumble upon a lake. I know it, I know it very well. This is the lake where I wrecked that boat. Where Jordan saved my life. Where he gave me my beautiful necklace. The lake where my heart fell in love before I had a chance to realize. The lake where I learned what love actually means. This is the lake where Ann and Jennifer first left us. This is where I found someone who actually sincerely loved me. Someone who love me for who I am.

We walk around the lake, and back towards the park. As we maneuver around the body of water, I instantly recognize this place where we are standing. This is where Jordan took care of me after I passed out. I stop. This causes everyone to stop as well. I'm shocked when I feel myself fighting back the tears. For no apparent reason, tear try to flow past my eyelids. Somehow, I'm able to contain them.

"Chelsea?" Maggie cautions, "Are you okay?"

I look up at her, give a weak, but convincing smile, and just nod. Then, I begin hobbling along again. When we make it to the entrance to the park, marked by the black, iron gateway, I slump down onto a bench while the others call for a taxi. While we wait for the taxi, I pull out my phone. Honestly, I'm baffled that I still have battery. The first thing I do, is reply to the messages I have. From the past day and a half, I've received at least twenty messages from one person. Jordan. The messages are all completely repetitive. "Where are you? Are you okay? Chelsea, please come back! Okay, Chelsea, please? Answer me. I love you. Chels? Please, what can I do to get you back to me? I love you, beautiful." Over and over again. It's like he messaged me every hour of our absence. It seems he really does care about me. I'm reassured when he instantly replies to my message. I told him that I'm at the park. And we are all together. And that he shouldn't worry.

He must have been watching for a reply because just as my message sends, I've received another from him.

To: Chelsea
From: Jordan
Oh my gosh! You are okay! Thank God! I was so worried!
I didn't sleep at all.
I'm going to meet you somewhere.
How about the hotel? They've opened it again.

I smile down at my phone, and message him back, when I get the feeling someone, or multiple someones, are watching me. I look up to see three pairs of eyes starting at me.

Maggie, Jennifer, and Ann are giving me their special looks.

Innocently, I shrug my shoulders and ask, "What?"

"Well, someone just seems really happy." Jennifer chuckles, "Why? Or do you want us to guess?"

Giggles burst out of my mouth and a quick, "Guess."

Simultaneously, they all laugh and shout, "Jordan!!!"

Another round of giggles erupts just as a cab pulls up. We pile in once again and are on the road. Hopefully the road to safety.