Into The Forest

Chapter 10: Behind The Mask, Lies A Mastermind

        An hour or two on the bus and it felt like eternity had just gone by. I woke up startled by a little dip in the road and the bus falling in and out of it. “Ughh…what the?!” I exclaimed. Cayden looked at me and laughed, “You alright there Kass? The road’s kinda bumpy so now ain’t the best time for a nap I suppose.” I guess he’s right. I get up to stretch and notice the old man and woman was gone. “Hey, where did they go?” I ask curiously as I point to their empty spots. Jack sprang up from the seat in front of us, “They go off a couple stops back, but we have like five more to go, so they long gone now!” They still seemed fishy, if you ask me… I look over and see Rinji holding his necklace. There were markings on it, like a dog tag you’d see on army people. Where would a guy like him get that? He looked distant, like he was somewhere other than here once he touched that necklace. I went up and tapped his shoulder, “Hey, what’s that?” His face turned a deep shade of red as he stuffed it back into his shirt and quickly replied, “None of your business.” Jerk. “This is our stop guys!” One of the Lost Boys pointed out. It was dark outside by the time we arrived, but I could tell we were by the beach because the instant I stepped out of the bus, the rush of salt water and fish almost choked me. “It’s only about half a mile to the place, it ain’t a long way.” Jack said with a huge smile on his face. I hope he’s right…I don’t want to find any crazies out here. We walked along the shore, where there were joggers, moms with their kids in strollers, and a deep dark sun just setting in the distance. I felt my hands going numb, so I stuffed them in my pockets to only find another note. I stopped dead in my tracks. Ryker noticed my hesitation to move, “Hey Kassidy, let’s go, we’ve got to get there before it gets to dark. It’s not much farther.” I look at him, then back down at my note, “Open it.” I hand the note to him and he slowly opens it up. It read: You think it’s safe there? Try again. It’s a trap. “Cayden! Jack! Hey guys! Stop! They know where we are going you have to find another place!” I run up to them in a panic, hoping to change their minds. “What?” Jack looks at me as puzzled as can be. I handed them the note. “Look.” Cayden spoke up, “We can’t just not go and risk being out here because of a stupid note. You aren’t the only one in danger!” His voice became angry, a side I admit to have never seen before. Rinji stepped in, “I get your point, but even we can’t risk a bluff like that, so I say we find a different place to stay tonight. Can we all just agree on that?” Cayden’s eyes lit up in fury, “How come we can’t just go there! I planned it all out, I put in effort to saving this girl and stupid jock, I freaking saved all of you ungrateful bastards?! Remember that? Huh? Or do you guys think you know better?” Silence. What just happened…and when did he save these guys?! He’s a great guy, but not the saving type to me. Ryker became pissed at the “stupid jock” comment, “Well you know what? I didn’t ask to be saved by you! I’m sticking with them and finding another place to be, you can do as you like!” Think woman, they’re gunna split up! “Guys, calm down, okay? Let’s just go with Cayden and if there’s anyone there, we’ll deal with them, alright?” Cayden smiled and caught me in a side hug, “Well I’m glad someone appreciates me!” Ryker glared at him, “Fine, but call me that again and I swear…”

“You’ll what?” Cayden interrupted, “Kill me?”

        His words cut the healing atmosphere with a dagger. I let out a heavy sigh, “You guys…we are going to be fine. Let’s just go with him and worry about those stupid threats later. Agreed?”  Jack let up and agreed along with the other Lost Boys, all but Ryker and Rinji. Cayden glared at them, like he had been betrayed. “You two can do as you wish, I’m heading off.” Why are those two being so stubborn? Just come with us! Well…maybe it’s better to spit us up and then my parents will have a harder time looking for the both of us…if they still are looking anyways. “Hey.” A hand shook my shoulder and I looked to see Cayden staring at me, motioning me to go with him. I glanced back at the two and walked off with the rest of them. It was silent the whole walk there except for the occasional drooling over the delicious smell of food stands. “Welcome home!” Jack said as he stood at the door of an apartment building. “Long time no see…” One of the boys said as he placed his hand on the wall. I’m guessing this place has some sentimental value or these guys are just downright weird ha ha. We walked up two flights of stairs and down the hallway to the farthest door in the back. Jack handed me the key to do the “honors” and once I did, I opened up what looked like a human butcher shop.  Are you freaking kidding me?! I can never escape! The room was full with severed Lost Boys flung everywhere, with their blood soaking the entire room. I found myself shaking in the front of the door, blocking the view for some of the guys, “What’s taking so long Kass?!” Cayden said as he moved to the front of the doorway. “How…” His face crumbled as the rest of him did, falling to the floor in pain. A note was nailed to the back wall, it said, “See what happens? Stupid girl, when will you learn? I am among you, but can you guess who I am? Let’s play a game and see how smart you really are. First one to die loses. Hop to see you soon.” I hid the note as quickly as possible; among us…it’s one of the Boys, but who?! Who knew my name in the beginning and who would be able to do all of this?! Cayden noticed me stuffing my pockets and hurried over, “What’s that?” Question is…who can I trust? “Uhmm..it’s nothing really, just a scrap I found lying around here…” You are an idiot Kassidy! “You suck at lying,” He exclaimed as he pulled the note out of my pocket and his eyes widened. “So…it’s one of us ehh?” He stroked his chin, going into a trance of thinking. His eyes perked up and starred right at me.

“Rinji.”