Beyond the Reasons || JUSTIN FOLEY

Nine

PRESENT TIME
BURNHAM WOODS
IMOGEN'S POV

"Everyone gets a sheet of clues and a GPS device, which I hope you know how to operate. We've collected all of your phones, and if anyone has a second phone, then you're disqualified." My mom was explaining the rules of the next activity we were about to do. A scavenger hunt apparently.

"And also your parents are too rich," Diego said.

"Hidden around this camp are canvas bags with treasure inside, like this one..." My mom said as Mr. Standall held up the empty bag as an example.

"So, all these clues have been designed to keep you in safe places, but, this is the wild. We're out here alone, and we need to look out for each other. So stick with your partner, please. And if you should encounter some wildlife, try to remain calm and back away slowly." Mr. Standall said.

"Then come back to camp and change your underwear," Diego said which of course made his football boys laugh, but I just rolled my eyes. He's lucky he's cute, because every time he opens his mouth, I just want him to shut it.

"Yes, thank you, Diego. Alright, stay safe, have fun." Mr. Standall said and then I looked at Jessica and Alex.

"Let's go, partners."

―

WOODS

As Alex, Jessica, and I were all walking together, we could hear someone shouting in the distance, but we couldn't make out what they were saying. Honestly, it sounded like Clay, but I don't know if it was Clay, or if it was just my subconscious imagining my brother shouting.

"Shit, was that Clay?" Alex asked. So I guess it wasn't my subconscious since Alex heard him too.

"I told Diego that we would be over if they kept fucking with Clay, and he said they wouldn't, so I don't think it was him," I said while shaking my head.

"And what? You just believe whatever Diego tells you? You heard how much he misses Monty." Alex said and I rolled my eyes.

"I think you guys are forgetting that Monty was my best friend for years too. Diego isn't the only one who misses him. And anyway, I have him on the hook, I'm in complete control of the situation." I said.

"Yeah, but what if he's the one that has you on the hook, MiMo?" Jessica asked.

"He doesn't... and even if he did, I'm not dumb enough to actually let him get close to me. I know what I'm doing. Is this why you guys wanted to be partners? To criticize me?" I asked.

"No, I'm not... we're not... no," Alex said and I shrugged.

"Then why aren't you with your new best friend? The new kid?" I asked.

"We're not even friends, really..." Alex said. Well, they had to be something because, for these last couple weeks, I didn't see Alex without that kid by his side.

"You guys are bunking together," Jessica said.

"Not anymore," Alex responded.

"Why? What happened?" I asked. We were following the clues and looking around, but we weren't finding anything. Is there really something to even find?

"Why do you care?" Alex asked.

"Because you're my fr...-" I was cut off by Jessica.

"Oh, wait, wait, wait! Look!" Jessica exclaimed. Apparently, she found something, but when she pulled her hand back up, it was covered in larvae and I immediately backed up as she started screaming. "Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck! Ew!" Jessica exclaimed as she shook them off her hands. Alex backed away to a tree and threw up and I was completely over this exercise.