Chapter 28: Getting Lost

ADDY

I gather my hair into a ponytail and step further into the darkness. A hoot from above has me glancing up to see an owl perched on a branch, watching me.

I flash it a grin, winking.

“Hey there, I’m kind of lost. Any chance you could point me back to the motel?”

I wait, hopeful. The owl blinks back at me, and I let out a groan.

“Bad owl!” I wag my finger at it, and it takes off into the night. I leap up and chase after it.

“Hey! Wait! I didn’t mean it—come back!” My shouts echo through the trees, but the owl is already out of sight.

I smack my forehead in frustration.

~You can do this~, I tell myself, ~even if you’re directionally challenged.~

~“Challenged” is putting it mildly~…

I rub my hands on my cheeks, trying to warm them up, and take another look around. The trees tower over me, making my five-foot-four frame feel even smaller.

“Stop staring at me!” I say out loud, trying to keep the fear of being alone at bay.

~Where is he?~

“Hello?” My voice echoes through the night, and I shiver. ~Why didn’t I wear my cardigan again?~

Right, because I thought Asher would lend me his.

~Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.~

~How can he lend me his if he’s not even here? He hasn’t answered any of my messages or calls.~

I frown, checking my watch. 11:46 p.m.

He was supposed to meet me sixteen minutes ago.

I should have just waited for him at the motel entrance.

I trip over something and stumble forward, crashing into the dirt and scraping my left hand.

~Really?~

~REALLY!!!~

~Ugh!~

“Damn it, Asher King, I’m going to make you pay for this,” I mutter. My words are swallowed by the night, and I huff before getting back up.

~He had the nerve to stand me up!~

He was the one who wanted to meet out here, and now he’s nowhere to be found.

~Did I really sneak out without telling anyone just to get stood up?~

~Just retrace your steps.~

I look around.

Everything looks the same.

Fuck my life. I dial my best friend’s number, pressing the phone to my ear. I wait, hoping to hear her voice, but the call goes straight to voicemail.

“Shit!” I bite my lip to keep from crying.

~Just turn around and walk, you’ll find your way back to the others.~

I repeat the words in my head like a mantra, turning around to head back. I walk quickly, trying not to panic as the darkness closes in around me.

Just as I’m about to call Asher again, my phone dies. I stare at my reflection in the black screen for a moment before letting out a frustrated scream.

“Damn one percent!”

I kick at the ground. “Where the hell is Asher?”

Maybe he ditched me because I stole his cookie earlier. Would he really leave me here for that?

“I’m never stealing cookies again…”

***

Two minutes later, I’m still wandering aimlessly, growing more annoyed by the second. I finally admit to myself that I’m lost.

There’s no point in trying to retrace my steps when everything looks the same.

I have no idea where I am, and no one is answering their phones.

“Just follow the path you came from, Addy. You can do this.”

It’s a stupid mantra, but it’s all I have.

I try to convince myself that I’m brave and not scared, but it’s not working. My fingers are clammy, the air feels heavy, and a sense of dread washes over me.

~Oh, God.~

I look up at the sky, hoping for some kind of comfort.

A rustling sound behind me puts me on high alert.

~Am I going to die tonight?~

~I haven’t even told Asher how I feel and I’m still so young and—~

“Oh, thank God!” A familiar voice cuts through my thoughts. Kaylee’s body slams into mine.

“Jesus, Kaylee!” I hug her back, burying my face in her neck and squeezing her tightly.

“Where the hell did you go? I looked everywhere for you and then Gabe said he saw you leave. So I checked outside and you weren’t there, but then I found your scarf, the one I hate, it’s in my back pocket if you want it. I think I kind of like it now because it made me keep looking for you and…”

Kaylee keeps rambling, and I can’t help but laugh, tears welling up in my eyes.

“I love you!”

“I don’t love you. Who told you it was okay to just leave without telling me? You scared the shit out of me! I almost told the teachers you were missing.”

She pulls away from me, only to hug me again.

“You’re crazy,” I sob, pushing her away after a moment.

“What do you mean, crazy? You wouldn’t answer your phone. Why did you come out here alone?”

“My battery died. You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

She shakes her head, kicking a stone away. Her brown hair is neatly braided into a fishtail, adorned with a few pink flowers.

“Tell me what happened.”

“Who put the flowers in your hair?”

She blushes, momentarily forgetting her question before pointing an accusing finger at me.

“Don’t try to distract me. Why did you come out here so late?”

Her stern tone makes me sigh.

“I was meeting Asher. He wanted to show me something,” I admit, looking away.

“Asher?” Kaylee questions, and I give her a nod. I’m looking at her, and she seems puzzled.

“Why the confused look? Where’s your usual smirk?” She gives my shoulder a playful shove.

“Well, I’d be smirking if it weren’t for the fact that Asher, Blake, and Gabe took off about thirty minutes ago.”

“Wait, what?” I frown, confused. “What do you mean, took off?”

Kaylee grabs my hand and starts walking.

“They went back home. Honestly, I’m just as confused as you are. I was hanging out with Gabe and Blake in their room when Asher just stormed in. All he said was ‘we have to leave now.’ He didn’t say anything else.”

“But we’re supposed to leave tomorrow, and won’t the teachers notice they’re gone?” I ask.

“I think Asher took care of that, but still. They didn’t tell me anything. They just packed up all their stuff and rushed out to catch the next train home.

“When I tried to ask Blake what was going on, he just kissed me and said he’d explain later.” She shrugs as if it’s no big deal.

“What?” she asks when I nudge her side.

“I just think it’s weird how they always seem to disappear at school.”

My eyes widen at her words. Could they have gone off to some fight?

Right now?

“Yeah,” I manage to say.

~Damn it, Asher!~

He could’ve at least told me instead of leaving me in the lurch. But, I guess I should be glad he didn’t ditch me because I stole his cookie.

“I can’t believe he left you. You shouldn’t let him off the hook so easily,” she says, pulling me along with her.

“Who says I will, babe?” I finally manage a smile.

“That’s my girl. Irin is waiting for us. Let’s go have some fun without those ditchers!” Her wild laughter is infectious, and I can’t help but join in as we head back into the motel.

~Asher King, you’ve got some serious groveling to do.~