Omnis Bestia

Chapter Five: Sollicitus

The next morning I got up and packed for my field trip. Mom hadn't even questioned where it would be, and only asked that I stay with Ms. Hornwell the entire time. Which meant she'd already spoken to my teacher and knew all the details of the trip. I agreed and headed out the door, not even saying goodbye. I was so hurt by how she could seem so open and honest when I knew that she wasn't even truthful to her own daughter.

I was still wearing the ring around my neck, not even taking it off when I slept. And although the pain had stopped, the mark from whatever had bitten me still remained, but I just covered it in a bandage and ignored it. I hadn't dreamed of anything in awhile, and I was wondering if it would ever happen again. I wanted to meet with that boy again, but on the other hand, I didn't want to run into whatever had injured me, so I let those thoughts kind of float to the back of my mind.

The night before Adi had texted me, and said that he wanted us to meet up early so that we could make sure we had all our items. I tried to call Malik to let him know that I was heading out early but was sent straight to voicemail. The same thing happened when I tried reaching Nik so I ended up heading out and leaving a voicemail, hoping they'd either hear it and text or call me back. I arrived at school ten minutes early and ended up just reading horror novels on my phone. I spotted Adi and waved at him, and he looked up from his book and walked over. He had a flashlight, a small notebook and two different colored pens, which were the objects Hornwell had asked for. I handed him his lunch and showed him the camera and research book, which told about all the native plant life and also included some old folklore nearby.

"So this is going to sound really stupid, but I don't actually know where we're going. Can you please help me out?" I cringed as soon as I said it. Who goes on a field trip not knowing the location?

"No problem, things have been kinda hectic in the classroom and I honestly didn't know either until I'd asked Ms. Hornwell yesterday. We're going to the forest, the one I think you pass on the way to school." Adi explained, but I was slightly shocked. My Mom almost freaks when I just want to take a quick peek in the woods, but when I'm going without her on a field trip right into the middle of it she's suddenly okay? Then again she knew Ms. Hornwell and expected me to stay close to her, and they were both involved in whatever important secret everyone was intent on keeping from me. Speaking of secret keepers, I hadn't seen either of my friends walk into the courtyard yet.

"Hey, have you seen Malik and Nik anywhere? We're supposed to meet Ms. Hornwell at the buses in five minutes, and I don't see them anywhere." I was getting worried, Malik hated to be late to anything and if he was with Nik he would try to keep them both on schedule.

"Maybe they texted you or called you, have you checked your phone?" Adi asked helpfully. He was right, maybe they had called me about being sick or something. But when I picked up my phone it looked as if they hadn't tried to contact me since yesterday, the last text I had being from Nik which was just a political meme. "Nothing, I'm getting a little concerned. Maybe I should head back and see if they're okay."

"No! I mean... They should be okay, right? And besides, what if they're having one of those secret discussions again? Do you really want to see that again?" Adi said, and there was truth lining his tone and words. "Let's just head to the buses, if we're early then who knows? We might get the best seats on the bus."

I nodded and let Adi guide me towards the bus stop, with Ms. Hornwell and a few other kids in the class already there. I looked around but still couldn't spot either of my friends. Before I could go through the hypotheticals of what might have happened Ms. Hornwell started talking.

"Alright everyone, start getting on the bus, single file. There are a few people running behind so we're going to wait for them. Now I know most of you have already been to the forest before, but for anyone that's never been I would encourage you to stay close to me." Then Hornwell paused and looked at me. Her eyes lingered for a few seconds before they fell onto Adi, and then she addressed us, "Mr. Raymond and Ms. Nnadi, would the two of you mind sitting in the front?"