Dead Nor Alive

#29

                   As the destination neared Sarah started getting antsy. She had been surprisingly normal and cheery through out the trip, blending perfectly into her camp instructor role. Trisha silently held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, the gesture saying tons. Sharan had constantly been around the two helping them out and keeping them calm as well as possible. Aditya observed the meaningful exchanges between the three kids, his own mind running at thousand miles a second. 

                   When all of it started Aditya had been irritated, lost and down right flustered. His life had already been spiraling down at an alarming speed and being in a semi-existent state could never possibly be an ideal situation. However the past month had allowed him to gain much composure and calm. He was way past the stage of torturing himself and had been able to put the entire situation into perspective. He had come to adore the two girls and couldn't help but find Sharan agreeable. Now all that he could think of was a game plan for his return. A month is a long time and he had to recover much to get back where he belonged. 

                      The bus reached the camp site and the instructors hopped out first leading the kids in single file into their tents. It was almost sundown and the golden light filtering through the thick foliage gave it all a surreal feeling. The decisive moment was nearing and everyone was on their toes. 

                    The plan was anything but easy yet pretty straight forward. After all the campers went to sleep Sharan was going to make up a reason of forgetting a medicine from the first aid kit and ask the driver to take them to the nearest market place which was a little further from the campsite. Trisha and Sarah would tag along they would make up a reason of night finding the medicine an wander off a little further where they had successfully located the previous hotel from their school trip. They would sneak into the store room just like last time assuming they still wouldn't bother to lock and finish what they came here for.  Pretty clear but complicated as hell. They knew that the only thing that could get them through this was sheer luck. And that they weren't so confident about.  

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                     "Ah well", Sharan sighed a they waited for the driver to get the jeep, "Can you tell him that this was fun and I'll be waiting for the invitation for his next premiere?" They knew full well that this was simply an attempt at lightening the mood.  But none of them objected. Aditya let out a soft chuckle and said, "Tell him only if he promises to bug Trisha with every available opportunity."

                    "Yes definitely what I want after a month of dealing with you..." Trisha deadpanned. She gave Aditya a sardonic look and Sharan simply followed her gaze and beamed. "Whatever he said I agree!"

                    'Sarah, we'll meet again you know. I'm not gonna forget any of you once I return to my old life. We'll keep in touch.' But Sarah was awfully quiet. Trisha patted her shoulder and they looked up at the jeep that just pulled up right in front of them. As they filed into it on by one, there was only pure determination on their faces. What was right had to be done.