The Last Summer Apart

Chapter Twelve (Lucas's Perspective)

I grinned widely. "I can't wait!" I said. I kissed Audrey's forehead and ran to catch up with Roger. 

Roger greeted me with a nod. "When were you two planning on telling the group?" 

I froze. "Uh, tell the group what?" 

"About you two. As a couple? You've always had a thing for her, mate. Things changed the night of that barbecue. Then the next morning, you two were acting different. The chemistry changed." Roger replied. 

"You were pretty hung over dude. You're just making something out of nothing!" I tried to cover up. 

"I may have been hung over, but I know something changed. Don't worry I won't tell, but when are you going to let everyone else know?" 

I was flabbergasted. Then, I remembered something. "I'll tell everyone about Audrey and I when you tell everyone about you and Mahira!" 

Roger stopped in his tracks. "What are you talking about mate? Mahira? And me? We're polar opposites..." 

"Why don't you explain the kiss you guys had during the barbecue then?" I said, seeing Roger's nervousness. 

"Alright, alright mate. You caught us, but keep your voice down. We're in the same boat here. Mahira won't let me tell anyone either..." Roger said, grabbing my forearm and pulling me to the side of the trail. 

"Don't worry dude, I won't tell either. We respect your privacy, right Audrey?" I said over my shoulder to her walking behind us. No response. I looked over my shoulder. She wasn't there. "Audrey?" I called out. Still no response. 

"Where did she go? She was right behind us." Roger said, looking around. "Audrey!"

Ethan, Lauren and Mahira caught up with us. "What's the matter guys?" Lauren asked. 

"We can't find Audrey. She was walking right behind us, and now she's gone." I said, getting panicked. "What if she hurt herself? What if she got lost? What if-"

Roger grabbed my shoulders. "Mate, this is no time to panic. We'll find her. She can't have gone far. Everybody spread out! Don't go out of earshot. If you find her, call out until the rest of us find you." 

I ran to where I last saw her. "Audrey! Audrey! Where are you?" I called out. I looked in the trees beside the path on either side. Where could she have gone? "Audrey! Audrey can you hear me?" 

I went back to to the path, I almost tripped on a tree root. Ow, god damn tree root. Someone could seriously hurt themselves tripping on that thing. Just then, I heard Ethan calling out to us. 

"I found her guys! I found her!"

I ran in the direction he was calling. He was kneeling beside her. She had a massive gash on her cheek. 

"Oh my god! What the hell happened?" I said frantically. 

"I don't know! I think she tripped or something. Look at her ankle!" Ethan pointed. It was covered in blood, Skin was scraped off to the bone. It was bent at a disgusting angle. Mahira, Lauren and Roger joined us. Lauren gagged. Mahira threw up. Roger commandeered the situation. 

"Ethan, I need you to call 911. Tell them we on a small trail off the roadway to the Hillspring Summer Cabins off of Highway 226. Lucas, please stay with me mate I'm going to need your help administering first aid. Are you ready?" He directed his question at me. 

I stared blankly into his face. I whispered, "Roger, the love of my life is severely injured. I will do anything to make sure she survives. Please tell me what to do."