Kids in the Dark

Chapter 38

Theo's P.O.V

It was my turn to lie awake late into the night listening to the sounds of nature mingled with Ryder's steady breathing and Marc's occasional snore. Midnight came and went but try as I might I could not drift off. Around 3:30 I found myself getting to my feet, blanket around my shoulders, and quietly slipped outside. The embers of the fire were still glowing under the moonlight as I moved past it towards my log.

I found myself gazing out over the lake the moon reflecting off its surface as if it were a mirror. As the word 'mirror' surfaced in my mind my eyes flitted down to my right fist. The bruises and cuts had since faded leaving behind nothing but faint white scars. My eyes continued over to the left and down my arm; I soon began to trace the fresh scars. I let out a long sigh my hand, as it usually did when I was stressed, jumped up to my head messing my hair up.

I was fed up; sick to death of the constant fear that was never far from my thoughts. I could feel my emotions bubbling closer to the surface as the days went by; I felt as if I couldn't let it show on account of the two younger boys with me. Sure they were both 16 but if they saw how much of an emotional toll the current situation was putting on me might knock their confidence. I couldn't help but feel as if the entire situation was my fault. If only I had been my cautious when driving...

A raven cawed somewhere off in the distance and it was soon followed by the chirps and tweets of birds, their song signaling daybreak. I stretched out my legs pushing back my thoughts before getting up, letting the blanket fall away from my shoulders. I walked over to the edge of the clearing and to a small pile of logs stacked off to one side. Selecting some of the larger logs I gathered them in my arms and set them on the glowing embers fire pit. I blew lightly giving the embers a little extra oxygen to kick start the fire. It took me several minutes for me to bring the fire back to life but it was soon crackling softly, a pan of beans slowly cooking on the makeshift stove.

The first signs of awakening from the others was muffled conversation coming from the tent. Ryder Marc and Tank soon emerged dressed and eager for food. Before anyone even said anything the clearing was filled with the sound of Ryder's stomach growling. Marc and I exchanged a glance and erupted in laughter while Ryder openly shared what his stomach had already told us.

"Quite laughing you morons I want food. I'm starving." He moaned, sitting down as the soft clatter of kibble being poured into a bowl filled the air.

"I'm doing the best I can. Why don't you make yourself useful and grab some plates?" I said huffily, stoking the fire. "Oh and turn the radio on while you're at it would you?" I asked as Ryder got to his feet.

"Fine," Ryder said exasperatedly as he unlocked the car and wound down the window, before switching the radio onto the local news station. Soon our little clearing was full of the sound of the top hits of the week. Over the course of the 10 minutes between 7:50 and 8 the 3 of us sang and ate, the beans and bread finally silencing Ryder's growling stomach. Marc and I were in the middle of a tense debate about which Robin was the best when Ryder quickly silenced us.

"Shut up, would you? I want to hear the news." He hissed getting to his feet to turn up the volume.

"- Police have informed us that an employee at Out and About phoned in a sighting of the 2 Hunt boys along with a third boy believed to be Marcus Rodgers-"

"I told you guys she was dodgy," Marc commented but I silenced him with a glare.

"- Ms. Liley informed the authorities of what they bought and it has lead officials to believe they are camping in the forest surrounding Lake Kalduhr-"

"Well you guys are doomed," Marc spoke over the reporter leaning back slightly so his shoulders were resting against his log. "I mean I hate to put a negative spin on things but you guys don't seriously think you can keep this up forever do you? They'll find you eventually."

"Yes thank you captain obvious." I snapped wanting to silence him.

"Anytime sergeant sarcastic." Marc gave a mock salute to accompany his comeback.

"You're pushing your luck commander comeback," I replied, my words tinged with a note of warning. Marc held his hands up in surrender and I smirked at him. We all sat there, no one speaking but Tank who occasionally barked, for quite some time. I used this opportunity to think, formulating a plan. "Marc does have a point," I said blurting it out without much thought. "We can't run forever but there's one last place we can try." I glanced at Ryder to see if he'd caught on.

"No, absolutely not. Never going to happen." He stuttered, eyes wide with a kind of panicked fear.

"It's our best bet. Why'd the cops ever look there? Parker knows what happened." I reasoned trying to show him my logic.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Ryder's words came out as a cry.

"Maybe, but that's beside the point. The man's not been there for years, what reason would he have to return there now? He's most likely forgotten about the place." I was almost pleading with my brother, the fear of arrest looming over me making my thoughts irrational out of desperation.

"Hold up guys. I love the pronoun game as much as the next guy but what the hell are you talking about?" Marc interjected.

"The idiot wants us to go to our dad's place," Ryder explained shooting a glare in my direction. Marc raised his eyebrows, questioning why this was a problem.

"The man's an abusive alcoholic," I said matter of factly, putting it as simply as possible.

"It's suicide going there. What if he shows up? What if the neighbors call the cops? It's stupid. We might as well stay here." My brother let out a frustrated sort of scream.

"Ryder, calm down," I got to my feet to comfort him. "If that bastard shows up I won't let him near you. I know you hate the idea of going back and that it brings up memories you'd rather forget but please see reason. It's our best shot." I half begged hands on his shoulders making him look me in the eyes. "When have I ever-"

"Let him hurt me?" Ryder finished my sentence. "I understand. You think it's for the best but are you sure?" Ryder's eyes looked searching as he asked yet another question.

"I can't think of a better alternative." I sighed, turning away from him to face the fire. I could see Marc, eyebrows still raised, clearly in search for some answers. I opened my mouth to give him a reply but Ryder stepped forwards, lifting his shirt to show his scars. Marc let out a small 'oh', his blue eyes widening in understanding and he asked no more questions. He did, however, start speaking and the words he had to say gave me quite a shock.

"I completely get it you know. I mean not quite in the same way but similarly..."

Sorry for not updating in so long I've just been so busy. I hope you enjoy the chapter, there are more on the way. The support for this story so far has been amazing which means so much to me. Thanks to everyone who's read it so far. Please let me know what you think by leaving a comment or hitting that vote button. - Flo