Keepsake

Chapter 4

Marcus Evers

"What is the scariest thing you've ever done? I'm talking about adrenaline rushing through your veins, eyes popping out of your skull, hands trembling type of thing," I ask Alysia.

"Yikes," she says to herself. "I guess it would have to be getting on a rollercoaster. I didn't like it at all, but my mom and dad convinced me to get on it. I was so scared just being in line for it."

I nod my head. "Not bad."

We were at the mall and passing some stores without giving much attention to them. We just walked slow and enjoyed the time together. Having her there was so good enough for me that everything else blurred out of view.

"That's not fair," Alysia said when we didn't speak for a few minutes. "You have to tell me what was the scariest thing you've ever done."

I thought I could escape having to answer my own question, but she caught me. "Alright, I'll tell you. Not too long ago I went on a camping trip up north. I got separated and lost, but I remembered that there was a place that the group was going to meet up at, so naturally I decided to find the trail and get there fast so I could rejoin the group. When I arrived at the place, the group didn't show up. I waited and waited, but nothing happened. So I decided to stay on the trail and trek my way back to safety, which I did."

"What happened to the group? Did they go looking for you?" she asks.

"No. They decided that staying out late was a bad idea and a risk to the whole team, so they headed back for the cabin. But when I got back to the cabin by myself, no one was there. No team. Not a single soul. The team never made it to the cabin because, due to unforeseen circumstances, they needed to be airlifted out of the woods. I was left behind."

"Oh my God, Marcus." She cringed.

I held in a smile at her reaction. "I stayed at the cabin for two nights before a search party came along knocking on the door."

Her eyes moved around my face in fear. "What was it like?"

"There was food, so I ate. I slept. But mostly I worried about the team. I didn't know if they had gotten lost in the woods while searching for me. I thought about going back on the trail and looking for them. Then I thought to myself 'Don't worry, the team leader is smart. If there is trouble he'd know what to do.' As for me, I planned on walking my way back to the main campsite. The group would definitely be there. That was the plan, but the search team found me first."

We didn't make anymore comments about scary stories. Instead we get to the food court and get something to eat and some dessert.

"My parents are starting to ask when I'm going to bring you over for them to meet you. I've been telling them that I promise I'll invite you when the time is right," Alysia said with an obvious tone. Her eyes never looked at mine.

I had finished my food and was waiting for Alysia to finish and see what she wanted to do. The mall was full of shoppers and had plenty to do, but there was still time to go to other places.

I said low and subtle. "Is this the right time? Are you asking me now to come to your house and meet your parents?"

She took the final scoop of ice cream with pleasure, savoring its sweetness and trying to hide what emotion my question was bringing up. "Yeah, I think so."

"Okay," I said with laughter. "Ask me."

She made a face that showed she was terrified of asking the question and then put the empty cup aside and spoke the words, "Would you like to . . ."