Surreptitious

Chapter 47: Hiking 101

It was early morning on the following Friday that the gang of hikers set off from school to their spot in the hills. As predicted, most witches and vampires opted to stay at school for the weekend movie marathon of Harry Potter (go figure). All of the wolves, on the other hand, opted to go as they did not wish to be separated from their pack or their alpha. It made Hope feel a sense of pride.

Along with the wolves a few stray witches and vampires decided to join, Lizzie amongst them, of course. And wherever Lizzie decided to go, MG was sure to follow. Not trusting MG to his own devices, Kaleb was hot on his friend’s heels. Nim had also convinced Jade to join her and Josie was happy to observe what seemed like a budding romance developing between the two girls.

Alaric and Dorian chose to chaperone the group for the camping trip, while Emma stayed behind at school to lead the watchful party that would keep an eye on the rest of the school.

(…)

“Wait, so I have to carry this thing all the way up into the hills? By myself?” Lizzie stared at the hiking backpack that contained everything she would need, second-guessing her decision to join this trip.

“I’ll carry it for you. No problem.” MG gave his most cheerful smile as he offered, but soon felt Kaleb’s heavy hand on his shoulder.

“Your ass is so scrawny, you can barely lift your own.” He took a crack at MG, who was unimpressed.

“I AM a vampire.” He tried to remind Kaleb, who remained unconvinced.

“You eat bunny blood, buddy…” Kaleb continued torturing MG in front of Lizzie, right to the point where she told them both to shut up and that she would carry her own damn pack.

“Why don’t you guys get real blood to drink?” Nim asked Jade in confusion after overhearing the argument and the thought sent a chill down Jade’s spine as she started walking, following the trail of people starting to move ahead of them.

“They’re worried exposing the vamps to real blood would cause more harm than good. It could cause addictions. It could give rise to rippers.” Jade sighed, unable to meet Nim’s gaze where she walked beside her.

“Ripper? I’ve heard of Stefan Salvatore. One of the founders of the school, right?” Nim asked, genuinely and simply curious.

“Not quite.” Josie answered from behind Nim. “The school building itself was once the Salvatore boarding house and home of the Salvatores, especially the Salvatore brothers – Stefan and Damon – after they returned to Mystic Falls as vampires. They were close friends with my father.”

“So, you knew THEE Salvatores?” Nim asked, intrigued.

“Lizzie and I met them as little kids… Our mom was married to Stefan, very briefly. He died. Damon took the cure, he’s still living with Elena and apparently they have a daughter just slightly younger than us.

“Wow, I wonder what it’s like being that close to a ripper. Like… what happens when the craving hits? Everyone’s fair game, right?” Nim mused as she stepped over some rocks, missing the look of dread that crossed Jade’s face as she stretched her legs, walking faster and moving ahead of the conversation as if trying to escape it.

(…)

“OH MY GOD! SPIDER! SPIDER! GET IT OFF! NOOOWWWWW!!!!” Lizzie squealed as she twirled around and around furiously, tripping over her own feet, and planting herself face-first into the dirt.

(…)

“Ninety-three bottles of beer on the wall – ninety-three bottles of beer! Take one down, pass it around – ninety-two bottles of beer on the wall!”