THE BLAME

Reputations

The sun was painting the clouds in a faint violet hue suggesting a peaceful evening. Maybe, in other places and in the town it would be, but the campers decided to sow havoc that night...

"Asher, after Jessica left the room, Whitney came in. She was in my night walking group," she hushed to him so no curious ears could join the conversation.

"Okay, and? What did she have to say? 'Sorry that we all left you'?" he impersonated a shy, innocent and apologetic voice. He is clearly still upset about the situation. 

"Not quite. Apparently, Jessica gathered the entire group- apart from me- and told them about the sign. Nobody knew how she'd know about it, but she claimed it being an annual prank from the leaders." Asher looked less than convinced. To him, Lucas was the only one truly at fault, yet the source of the problem didn't start with him. Or rather, it did sort of. 

 Jessica continued to instruct them that at the crossroad, they mustn't split up. Instead, they should wait for Mirah to volunteer  to play beacon, knowing her so well from past experiences. And what she had predicted was the truth indeed. 

"But Lucas hid the pointer," Asher argued which at truth, was valid enough to blame him. Lucas would do anything for Jessica, and she also told him to hide the sign. "So who is really at fault here? And should we tell Jamie what we found?" he asked. 

She contemplated about it. Would Jamie ask how she'd know this information, then she'd have to tell him that Lucas and Jessica were both involved. And when word comes out, Jessica surely would spread the truth about Mirah having cheated on Lucas. 

"I don't think so," she concluded. Asher frowned at not knowing the reason for her reluctance of telling the truth, but he did not pry. Later he would regret his impulsive decisions, after being convinced of who is to blame. 

And so, the havoc started as two youngsters wanted to appear blameless in the eyes of many, hiding underneath their true colours.