Kids in the Dark

Chapter 35

Ryder's P.O.V

I woke up under a mass of gray and white fur, my eyes heavy with sleep. I sat up and gave Tank a light shove yawning widely in the process. I inhaled deeply as I stood up and stretched, my back making a satisfying click in the process. My dreary eyes flew open the moment one smell, in particular, reached my nose.

"Is that bacon?" I asked loudly ducking out from under my makeshift shelter. I made my way over to the fire, tugging a hoodie over my head, not bothering with putting any jeans on.

"Yeah," Marc replied as I sat down beside him, watching as he stoked the fire slightly. "But don't worry. I won't burn it like the master-chef that is Theo." I chuckled standing back up again heading over to the car. I scooped the car keys up from where they lay behind the rear wheel and promptly popped open the trunk. My hand vanished into the large bag of dog food and I felt around inside for a minute. Finally, my hand connected with a round cup and I took out a large scoop of the dry food.

"Here you g-" but just as I was about tip the cup out into Tanks bowl I noticed something sat in it. Upon crouching down for a closer look I realized it was a small newt. "Hey, there little guy," I said removing the little newt from the bowl and placing it in my palm. I topped up the bowl and shut the boot, pocketing the keys, all one-handed, before slowly making my way down towards the lake edge. I made my way carefully past the fire, picking my way over roots and stones.

"You all right there Ryder?" Marc called and it occurred to me that walking along staring intently at my hands must have looked rather odd.

"Yeah," I crouched down beside the edge of the lake. "I found a little newt in Tank's bowl," I explained dipping my hands in the water letting the critter swim off. I got back up with a little huff and wandered back over to Marc who was now holding out a plate of bacon which was still steaming. "Thanks, Marc-y," I said in a baby voice, accepting my plate of food.

"Anything for my Rydeykins." Marc replied unable to hold in a slight snort of laughter.

"Hey um, where's my brother?" I asked taking my first bite of bacon.

"You inquired about me young one?" Theo made a grand gesture, appearing from behind a cluster of trees. I nodded in reply. "I was washing." Theo gestured to the towel he had slung over his shoulder.

"Here's your breakfast." Marc smiled holding out a plate of blackened bacon.

"Tha- Hey why's mine burnt." Theo complained.

"I assumed you liked it that way after you cooked it for us last week." Marc explained, a cheeky grin sliding across his face.

"The joke's on you I love burnt bacon." Theo shot back, drowning the flaking black meat in ketchup. He began to wolf it down without a complaint, getting the red sauce splattered all over his face. I watched him closely, absentmindedly picking at the remnants of my breakfast trying to work out what was different about Theo.

"You found your eyebrow stud." I said finally putting my finger on what was off about his appearance.

"I know. It was in these jeans all along. Luckily I noticed it as it fell out." Theo smiled patting the pocket in which he'd found the little simple black stud in.

"Yeah well, luck's over." Marc said glumly pointing out the gray clouds rolling out over the sky. "The radio said a huge storm was gonna hit around now. We're going to have to fix our living situations. I'm not sharing a car with you guys if this storm lasts more than a day."

"Agreed totally," Theo said licking his lips, wiping the ketchup off with the back of his hand. "Now get in the car. We've got supplies to buy." We all jumped to our feet and scrambled into action. I went straight over to my little sleeping area and snatched a pair of faded jeans from where they lay on top of my bag. I did a little wiggle to pull them on but didn't bother with putting a proper shirt on under my hoodie before I clambered into my seat of the Challenger.

The drive to the small strip of shops only took about a 10-minute drive and once we were inside the expansive we split up, quickly locating the things we required. Regrouping by the checkout we moved forwards to pay. The cashier scanned several lengths of paracord, 3 new large tarps to add to the 2 we had, and around 10 rolls of duct tape, and as each barcode was scanned she got more and more suspicious.

"What's all this for?" She asked scanning the last bundle of rope.

"Science project." I said coolly. Handing over the money.

"Not all 3 of you surely?" She asked getting nosier by the minute.

"Mom and Dad are out so they bribed me into driving these two around." Theo explained taking the bags of stuff from the checkout. The cashier muttered for us to have a good day as we left.

"God she was nosey." Marc huffed as we loaded the trunk and reentered the car. Tank woofed slightly at our reappearance, running a tongue up Marc's cheek as he joined him in the back.

"Let's get started on this as soon as we get back. Hopefully, we can beat the worst of the rain." Theo said pulling out the parking lot and back onto the road, retracing the route we had come.

                                                                                              *

Back at the campsite, we set to work. The mood was relaxed as we let Theo live out his architect dreams, the radio turned up in the background. With reference to Theo's hand drawn a diagram and after 2 hours hard work, we had all of the 5 tarps taped together. We were now making loops to tie the paracord through. With that done we fixed them in their respective places, our final job was to string it up. Theo grabbed the cord attached to what would be the roof and climbed up a nearby tree, tying the rope around a branch hoisting the 'tent' off the ground. With a laugh, Theo jumped out of the tree and landed with a thud by side.

"Alright show off, back to work." I rolled my eyes and shoved him playfully. Theo pushed me back which resulted in me tripping over Marc who was crouched behind me tying down one of the corners. I wobbled as I backed into him and I toppled backward landing in his lap bashing the back of my head. Theo stood back laughing and, slightly dazed, I looked up at Marc.

"Hello, honey." I smiled up at him with a slight giggle.

"Nice of you to drop in." Marc grinned down trying to move me off him legs.

"Noooo." I whined wrapping my arms around his waist. Marc glanced up at Theo for help.

"Someone's hit their head a little too hard." Said Theo hauling me to my feet. "Come on buddy." He chuckled leading me into the Tent and settling me down where I'd dumped my stuff. "How's about you deal out some cards while Marc and I bring in the rest of our stuff." I giggled and nodded taking a sip of the water Theo was holding out for me. I took the pack of cards out and dealt 3 piles whilst Marc and Theo busied themselves around me bringing in our belongings from outside as the rain began to fall.

"Right we have snacks, food, and entertainment. Let's begin." Marc clapped his hands together eagerly as he Theo and Tank joined me on the ground. 

Thanks for everyone who's read this. From now on I've been making an effort to produce longer chapters which may take longer to type out. I hope that you are still enjoying the story. I can promise that things will be heating up pretty soon! Keep reading voting and commenting - Flo