Hunt of the Night

c h a p t e r t w e n t y ( w y a t t )

Previously...

I shook my head, not in the mood to argue. Jamey was going to beat me. Me. I couldn't stand it. I was so angry. How did I get so lucky to get paired with the book nerd and the slow kid? Someone was against me, I just had to make the best of this piss poor situation. Jamey probably didn't have group members who questioned her every move. It wasn't fair. This was my chance.

I couldn't lose.

I could not.

Simple as that.

Currently...

11:30 pm on Friday

"This is the third time we have been around the tree house. Kyle, accept it, you are wrong," I ground out, frustrated. We wasted so much time and effort listening to Kyle. He insisted he knew what he was doing, refusing to use the compass. I wanted to just go my own way, but I didn't want to leave Rosie with the other boy. Who knew how much time we were losing? Too much.

"No, we just need to go this way. I'm right."

I sighed again, nudging Rosie, "Please tell him to let me lead the way."

"Maybe Wyatt should lead the way this time, Kyle." Her voice wavered, tapping the redhead on the shoulder.

Kyle groaned, tightening his jaw, "Fine."

I grinned, happy that I finally got it through his thick skull. I turned to the right, hearing Kyle mumble under his breath.

We traveled silently, through the thick tension between Kyle and me. I just didn't understand why we couldn't have listened to me sooner. It wasn't long before we came across what appeared to be a lake. The moonlight reflected over the water, leaving a beautiful image on the surface. A large wooden dock stretched into the water. At the end of the dock, a gazebo like structure shielded the dock from the moonlight. If I wasn't in such a rush, I probably would've let the beauty sink in some more.

"The clue is probably in the gazebo," Rosie pointed out, her finger leading to the wooden structure sitting in the water. Before I could take a step, Kyle was sprinting onto the dock. I waited for Rosie to lead the way, so I could trail behind her. Last thing we needed was someone getting lost out here in the middle of nowhere.

All three of us crowded in front of the next clue.

To find your last prize, you have to be wise and go counter clockwise.

"So, we need to head back to the treehouse?" Kyle looked up at me, like a child asking for a gold star.

"No. We do not have to go back to the dang treehouse!" I snapped, my patience slowly wearing thin. I stepped between the two, but I didn't get too far before I realized that they weren't following me. I looked up at the sky. Lord help me. When I turned around, I found Rosie sitting on the dock with her feet dangling off the edge and Kyle was in the water. They were not in a rush at all, which drove me crazy. How did these two have not a single care in the world?

I forced my legs to move me forward, "What are you doing?"

"Just taking a swim," Kyle shrugged, looking at me.

"All this stress is not good for you Wyatt," Rosie spoke softly, shifting her gaze to me. I glared at the girl.

I clenched my fists at my side, "I have things to do. This isn't just a game. I need to win."

"It's just a scavenger hunt, man," Kyle pulled himself out of the water before plopping down next to Rosie.

"Whatever you say," I mumbled under my breath, pacing behind them. As slow as molasses, Kyle began to dress himself again. Rosie had her nose in the book, enjoying the light from the moon.

"Can I finish the chapter?" Rosie whispered, looking up at me. I stared at the girl in response.

I took a deep breath, "Fine. We are late anyway." I sat down, laying my bag behind me. Using my bag as a pillow, I slowly laid down. Rosie continued reading silently while Kyle entertained himself on his phone, eating a pack of fruit snacks.

I stared at the stars above us, looking at the constellations. I could feel my eyes grow heavy as we sat in silence. Now was not the time to take a nap. I had to stay awake, I just had to.

The longer I laid there, the more the urge to sleep creeped up on me. Soon enough, I was out like a light.

----

I woke up to Kyle shaking me, "Man, man, I heard a scream. Come on, we need to get a move on."

I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, "How long was I asleep?"

"Long enough for me to finish the last few chapters of my book," Rosie raised her book at me before she placed it back in her bag.

I tilted my head, "You heard a scream?"

Rosie nodded, "Yeah, it sounded like it came from the woods."

"Probably just one of the girls freaking out because of a bug or something. We have been hearing them all night. Why are you worried now?"

Both Kyle and Rosie shrugged, picking up their bags. I shook my head, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

"Maybe we should stay closer together?" Rosie suggested timidly. I looked over at her. The poor girl was shaking, trying to be strong even though she was clearly shaken up.

"Fine, but don't get all clingy on me now Rachel," I looked at her, quickly realizing my mistake, "Rosie." With that, she smiled at me before turning to face Kyle who was watching a video on his phone.

"What?" He looked up at us, not pausing his video. "Just a few more minutes. The video is almost over."

I closed my eyes, shaking my head, "I don't know who is worse. You or Rosie over here."

"What are you watching anyway?" Rosie spoke up with the most confident demeanor I had seen all night.

"Madden videos."

I looked at the screen, "You are telling me that you are watching people play video games instead of playing the games yourself?" I raised an eyebrow.

He looked at me with a smile across his face, "Yeah." Rosie and I looked at him. Clearly he didn't see the problem at hand, so instead of arguing, I decided that it was time to get this show on the road. 

-----

QOTC Who do you think screamed?