alters

05

THE air in the car is eerily silent as Luke cruises down the dim highway, dotted with the reds and off-whites of vehicle lights that accompany us on the road. I awkwardly adjust myself in the front seat, guiding my legs to cross underneath me as I fish in my bag for a book. Iʼm definitely not an avid book worm like Alex, but I do enjoy the occasional read. Currently in my hands I hold the latest release of Psychopathy and the City, some cheesy knock off of Sex and the City. But way better and with psychopaths who favor fire a tad too much.

Iʼve never really dug to the roots of my lust for the horror genre; I suppose the thrill of suspense just harmonizes with me unlike Nicholas Sparks or Jane Austen. I guess Iʼm different.

I scan over the page, humming an old song to myself quietly. The absence of conversation exchanged between the two of us is so suffocating I might drown along with the character in my book. I sigh and glance up to observe Lucasʼ frustrated stare as his hands clutch the wheel too tightly. It took millenniums of convincing and begging to have him meet Harry with me at this hour. The sky is a soft blue fading to black, itʼs the divine in between of day and night,

Lucas looks at me. ʻʻYou owe me big time.ʼʼ He informs me rather matter-of-factly.

I agree, returning to staring at my book. ʻʻHarry was just very persistent that we come.ʼʼ

ʻʻWhere exactly is it that weʼre going again? The paper you gave me wasnʼt even an address, it was just literal directions to a field near the middle of the highway.ʼʼ

I shrug nonchalantly. My fingers graze over the radio controls and I finally decide that music would lessen the intense grip of uncomfortableness between us. I play the alternative station, glad that Peaches by In The Valley Below is playing from the beginning. The song is so soft and melancholy, one of my favorites too. I smile to myself and rest my head against the window. The cloudy sky forecasts rain and just that makes me smile wider. After the first chorus has ended Luke is groaning and switching the station. I gaze at him and he responds with ʻʻI canʼt stand your music.ʼʼ

I just nod and continue reading, replaying Peaches in my head. Pop music floats through the car; I donʼt know this song but they keep saying something about how they are so fancy. I donʼt know if I like this song.

Approximately twenty minutes later Lucas is pulling his 2007 Camero into a grassy field. The dim atmosphere blesses it with a nostalgic taste. I exit the car, stuffing my novel back into my black leather bag, deciding last minute to just leave it in the front seat. The air is chilly so I wrap my jacket tighter around my chest, digging my chin closer into my neck.

ʻʻWant to wear my coat?ʼʼ Lucas asks warmly.

I decline politely. ʻʻIʼm fine, thank you.ʼʼ

ʻʻSo where is this guy, anyways? Is he going to meet us here, or...?ʼʼ Luke starts, gazing around him.

I shrug and bite my lip. It really is cold. I urge a strand of dark hair to fasten behind my ear, as the Autumn breeze sweeps at my clothing, making the fabric dance. I meet the forestʼs gaze; a dark and almost sinister one. But throughout the obviously significant offs about the dark wooden trees, a somewhat alluring feeling grasps at me. Like the forest is beckoning me to enter.

Luke and I turn heads to the sound of a car pulling in. Harry is driving, and almost instantly jumps from the car when he parks. He leaves the ignition running. I perk my brow questionably and ask, ʻʻShouldnʼt you turn it off?ʼʼ

ʻʻWe wonʼt be here long,ʼʼ he explains and takes a drag of his cigarette. He wears his trademark black stitched pants with matte Doc Martins. His black leather jacket is unzipped giving access to his visible black button down. Smoke weaves from his lips as he motions his hand towards the dense city of trees. ʻʻShall we?ʼʼ

I stare out at them. Lucas is the first to audibly object. ʻʻUm, no we shallnʼt.ʼʼ

ʻʻItʼs shanʼt, sweetie.ʼʼ Harry corrects and smirks. ʻʻGlad you could come by the way. Wouldnʼt be the same without you.ʼʼ

ʻʻWhat exactly are we doing?ʼʼ Lucas interrogates, still standing firm by his disapproval of entering the ominous woods.

ʻʻItʼs a surprise.ʼʼ Harry smiles eerily and puffs out smoke.

ʻʻOf course it is.ʼʼ Luke scowls and throws his fists deep within his pockets.

Harry starts forward, the darkness of the shadows casted by the tall trees starting to engulf him in black. I hesitantly look back before trudging slowly behind him. With the commencement of my departure Lucas trails behind me, muttering curses.

I crane my neck back to observe the looming towers of nature, darkened by the now prominent night. Harry stops at gazes at me. ʻʻDoes this frighten you?ʼʼ

I gulp down saliva and bravely shake my head. ʻʻYes.ʼʼ I contradict myself which makes him chuckle.

ʻʻThe only thing to fear is fear itself, Alice.ʼʼ He quotes. I canʼt remember where exactly itʼs from but somehow it comforts me.

ʻʻWell that and crazed rapists and psychopaths living in the woods waiting for teenagers to come so they can kill them.ʼʼ Lucas adds from next to me. I lower down and try to let the fear dissolve. Damn you, Luke.

Harry laughs melodious and smiles at me. ʻʻDonʼt worry.ʼʼ He assures me. ʻʻI highly doubt they will be the problem.ʼʼ

And with that we begin our travel into the forest.

✄ ✄ ✄

I am putting the song Peaches on the side bc I love it. Harry is starting to creep me out like bish wait

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