The Where House

Ricky

Grace is walking in front, we're following her now. But it doesn't matter. We're just hopelessly wondering, waiting for the lanterns to arrive and finish off what they've forgotten. As we're walking, the bag on my back starts to shake, it scares me and I throw it off my back. The group stops and glares at me, then my bag.unzip my bag and flip it upside down. I start to shake it and some clothes fall out, and then my phone. I see Spencer's face on the screen and my heart jumps out of my chest landing on my toes. My hands are shaking,  I pick up the phone and answer the call.

"Hello" I say timidly

"Ricky?" Spencer can barley get my name through the phone before her tears start fall and drown her phone.

"Where are you" She says through sobs.

That's a good question, I haven't bothered to look for any kind of landmark we've just been walking.

"Ricky?" she says concerned

"I don't know"

I hear her breathing stop, i try to think of something to make it start again. But there's nothing remotely positive i could say at this point. We're sitting ducks. Waiting for them to come.

"But, its almost dark" she says as if i wasn't aware

"I know Spence" i tell her

Her name holds more weight then ever before. I haven't said it in forever. 

I begin to look around, for her sake, there's nothing but trees, climbing towards the clouds, involuntarily trapping us in. They sway ever so slightly, you'll only notice if you listen to the sound of their leaves tickling the wind. The sound is faint, but constant, which may be why i'm only now noticing it. So much has happened behind me, that its blinded me to all that's in front of me. I listen closer now, focused. The sound of the trees dance is interrupted by a low hum, its faint but its there. The hum's pitch grows higher and gets louder. The rest of my group looks towards the sound, they hear it too. Its get even louder, and then, its gone. 

"Go" Spencer says, I wasn't even aware she was still listening.

Without hesitation I put my stuff back in bag and through it over my back. I walk towards the sound without saying anything to the group. Grace speeds up and walks next to me, the rest follow behind us.     

                                            ----------------------------------------------------

We don't have to walk for long before we find a road, it was just a matter of walking in a new direction. We stay hidden behind the trees in efforts to not be spotted, but still able to see  the cars. We walk in the same direction as them, hoping it'll lead us to town. Spencer is still on the phone, asking a million questions. But there isn't much to tell her, we're just walking. Gwen, who has hasn't said a word since I picked up the phone starts to laugh.

"What kind of name is Grunsville" she says pointing 

I look at where she's pointing and see a town sign that does indeed say Grunsville. It's not exactly a sign i'd want to take a picture in front of.

"Stay right there!" Spencer says

"What?" i look at the phone confused as if she can see me

She's already ended the call