SOMETHING HIDING

CHAPTER ONE: THE HEARING

My mom and I always used to dream of going to California together. We always said we'd learn how to surf, and go kayaking. She never did get to go, which is why I'm going for her. I never would have agreed to a camping trip hours from home. But I knew my mom would've wanted me to. So here I am.
A movie plays muted from the front seat, where Theo and Emily are still wide awake. Everyone else is cramped in the backseat, sleeping. Emily's phone clicks as she takes a picture, stifling a laugh. My mom would've done the same thing. She had pictures of us in my backyard, doing all kinds of things. Swimming in our pool, jumping on our trampoline, going down a slip 'n' slide. Every time I see those pictures I can't help but laugh.
The sound of the movie becomes farther away as I get more tired. I finally lay my head on Kegan's shoulder. I fall asleep.

"Rise and shine!" Caster yells through the van. Kegan stirs, waking up slowly. We are parked in a grassy area with a forest not far beyond. This must be the campsite.
Caster's Dad bought this area when he was a kid, so they could go on family camping trips. From what I understand, his family never went on many. His Dad was always busy, traveling for work and running his company.
We unload our bags from the van, and the driver, Rick, gives us a curt nod and smile. "You kids alright?" We nod, then he turns his head to look at Caster. "You sure you want me to leave? You have a phone right?" Caster rolls his eyes, smiling, and holds up a military phone, because his cell phone won't work through the mountains. Rick smiles one last time. "Call me if you need anything." And pulls away.
There's really no turning back. A week straight of camping.
Emily and Kegan struggle with the huge cooler while Caster, Theo and I get the tents. "Whoo!" Theo whistles when he sees the basketball court. "Nice!"
We set up for dinner, Caster and I running the grill while the others play ball. "This is a nice place." I say to him, looking around again.
"Yeah." He flips the burgers. "If only we ever used it." I can hear the frustration in his voice. I put a hand on his shoulder, and open my mouth to speak when Kegan tackles me from behind. "You're purpling!"
"Are you in middle school? Let me go!" I scream. Caster laughs loudly.
"I've got you!" Theo takes Kegan down from behind, and Emily performs a self defense move to get his arm loose.
"Yes! Just another way you can loose to us!" Theo laughs, letting Kegan up.
"Shut up." Kegan says, grinning. Finn ruffles my hair from behind.
"A little late man." Kegan says, brushing himself off.
"Oops." Finn says absently. He sniffs the air, obviously smelling Casters cooking. "Yep, I'm starved. Let's eat."
We yell in agreement, and I completely forget what I was going to say to Caster.

I sit up, alarmed.
Breathing heavily, I wonder what woke me.
Rubbing my eyes, I slip the covers off of myself. I try to quiet my breathing so I don't wake Emily. I hear something.

I listen.

As if the noise knew I was awake, it stopped for a while.
Then, almost knowing I wasn't going to sleep, it started again.
Voices. Whispering voices. I can just faintly hear snores from the boys' tent next to us, so it's not them. My heart beats so loud it echoes in my head.
I reach my shaky hand for the tent flap, and open it so I can just see. Putting my face against the crack in the door, I look around. I see nothing.
The voices get louder, and I shut the tent flap.
I must be having a nightmare. I pinch myself like they do in the movies. It hurts.
The voices retreat to what should be the direction of the forest.
I wait for a moment, panting, thinking of what to do.
I open the tent flap all the way and step outside. Barefoot, I start walking slowly. I can just barely hear them. I start to run as quietly as I can. Faster and faster until I'm full on sprinting toward the forest.
Then I stop. Right at the edge of the trees. I contemplate if I should go in. I see a trace of a shadow running from me. All of the sudden, the voices are louder. Mixed with screams, and wails that make me fall to my knees.
Just a panic attack
Just a panic attack
Shut up!
My hands cover my ears, I can't believe it's happening all over again. My mother's accident. Glass shattering everywhere...blood and screams that make my stomach sick.
A hand clamps my shoulder and I shriek.
"Aster!"
Caster says worriedly. His face has a look of pain on it, but I can't see any injuries. I grab his arm and run until I can hardly hear the screams.
"What were you thinking?" He says, alarmingly angry. I feel like I've been slapped in the face. Caster and I used to be so close. One more thing to think about at night was him.
"There are animals in that forest! You should know you can't go in there alone."
"I just heard voices! And I...oh God Caster." I feel hot tears gathering in my eyes. His expression falters, and he pulls me into a tight hug, like he's holding me together. I can't remember the last time he hugged me.
"My mom," I start.
"I know, I know..."
His voice trails off as he strokes my hair.
Next thing I know I'm awake. Emily snores softly next to me. I sit up, and look around the tent. Everything looks normal, so what happened last night?
I change into shorts, hiking boots, and a swishy tank top that Emily said looked nice on me.
"Em," I shake her shoulders gently. She yawns, stretching her arms. "Good morning." She says sleepily, and then sniffs the air. "Ooh, breakfast!"

The whole morning Caster avoids my eyes. He must think I'm crazy.
"How'd everyone sleep last night?" Theo asked.
"Like a rock, man." Kegan said through a mouthful of food. He swallows, then says, "I never even got a chance to rebelliously sneak out." He winks and smiles in my direction.
Kegan has been one of my best friends for years now. We met through Caster, and all three of us would hang out all the time. Our tiny group always reminded me of the Golden Trio. I remember it took Cas forever to read those books. Kegan never did. He hates reading. All this went on until Caster joined football freshman year and got popular friends, a hot girlfriend, and got too cool for us. We still cheer him on at games, with Em and Theo. He doesn't completely ignore our existence, he just doesn't spend near as much time with us. Finn is the only one of his friends I actually like. He's a jock, but a nice one.
We play basketball for a few hours, Kegan, Em and I winning the championship, which makes us first for lunch. Cas stands on a log as we finish our food, and makes an announcement.
"As the unspoken chairman-"
"Counselor," I correct him.
He glares as me, "Counselor, of this camping trip I declare a hiking trip to Moorman Falls this afternoon."
Cheers and clapping from the campers interrupt him. I laugh.
"So bring your trunks and be here in an hour. I appoint Aster as lunch picker-upper. Ready, break!"
Everyone runs for the tents as I pick up the paper plates and toss them in the fire pit.
This is the only time today I've been able to think of last night.
The doctors' words echo in my head. Hallucinations. Nightmares. And normal in the same sentence. But it wasn't normal. I must be going crazy.
I shake off my thoughts and promise myself it won't happen again.
Now was not a good time to go insane.