Hunt of the Night

c h a p t e r t h i r t e e n ( a m b e r )

Previously...

I took a deep breath, readjusting my bag. "So, it should be above us. Let's head away from the water." I scouted the area around us, pulling out a flashlight from my bag. I flipped the light on, before pointing behind us. "Let's go that way."

Charlie slung her bag over her shoulder, tossing a handful of sunflower seeds into her mouth as she stepped into the front of the group. "Oh, great, into the shadowy darkness with no water. Great idea Shakespeare."

Currently...

  9:00 pm on Friday  

"You expect me to climb up there? Do you realize how high up that is?" I nearly shrieked, staring at Charlie and John. They both nodded in unison, eyeing me strangely.

"You are the smallest one of the group, you could get up there and back down in half the amount of time it would take us," Charlie pointed out, tugging at the rope ladder. "Plus, it seems kinda stable."

"Kinda? Is that suppose to make me feel better?"

Charlie nodded her head, pulling her shoulders up into a shrug, "Well...yeah."

I gulped, wiping my sweaty hands on my jeans. I looked up the rope ladder, willing myself not to get sick. I took a deep breath as I stared at the tree house above us. John gave me a thumbs up and a smile while Charlie crossed her arms, exasperated. I closed my eyes, forcing my hands to grip the rope. I slowly opened my eyes, lifting one foot onto the wooden plank. I quickly stepped back down.

"Guys, I-I can't," I whispered, tears welling in my eyes. I looked down, thankful that the darkness covered up my wallowing.

Charlie groaned, throwing her hands up, "I'll just go, but if something happens to me. It's on you Buttercup." She jabbed her finger into my shoulder, shoving me slightly into the tree trunk. I looked away from my group members, ashamed that I couldn't over come this stupid fear. I wiped away the tears with my sleeves, but was pinned against the tree by John's body. I sucked in a sharp breath, watching him as he stared at me. I could hear Charlie scampering around the tree house above us.

I opened my mouth to say something to the tall boy, but he leaned in and placed his lips over mine. The kiss took my breath away, my cheeks turned a deep shade of red. I could feel my hands shake at my sides. When I finally overcame the shock, John was pulling back from me. Air filled my lungs as I watched John shove his hands in his pockets.

"Food! Guys there is food!" Charlie's voice range from above us, cutting the tension between John and me. John cleared his throat, looking up at the girl. I shook my head, taking a deep breath. "Chips and stuff! I'll throw it down. We can put it in my bag." With that, she tossed down the bags of chips, candy, marshmallows, and crackers. I watched the food land in a heap between John and I.

Without saying another word, John reached down and began shoving the food in Charlie's bag as she made her way down the ladder. I was still frozen against the tree, but shook my head to clear my thoughts. John kissed me. Before I could dwell on it too long, Charlie interjected, "Looks like we were the first one's here. I took a picture of the clue with my phone." Charlie pulled out a flip phone before showing us a picture on the small screen.

Northeast from where you are now, you'll find some clear water somehow.

"You have a flip phone?" John snatched the phone from her hands, laughing as he looked over the small device. "Who still has a flip phone? Only serial killers have flip phones."