Thirty Five

I’ve always been terrified of the water. I’ve had swimming lessons but I never stay afloat. My fear of its just got worse since I fell in since yesterday; the day I saw Spider on top of that ledge covered in his own blood from a gaping wound. I felt immensely guilty for leaving him alone in that cabin all day but I couldn’t afford it if Alex saw him. That would ruin everything.

Okay, back to reality; Shane, Michael, Stephen and Ash were currently coming out of the water towards us; and I was slightly unhinged from the looks on their faces. They might just have forced themselves to forget I was terrified of the water.

Thankfully; when Ash made a grab at me Alizé was by my side in an instant, glaring at him.

“I don’t know whether you’ve noticed but throwing her into the water’s going to do more harm than good. Throw Will instead.” Ash trudged off to help the others, who already had Will pretty much trapped. A splash followed a couple of seconds later and they all began laughing like maniacs.

Alizé and Lilia had crawled out of the water; but from the looks on their faces they wanted to go and join their relevant partners. Feeling like I was holding them back somehow I nodded towards the water.

“It’s ok you know. I don’t need babysitting.” Alizé shot me a thankful smile but Lilia looked hesitant.

“It’s fine Lil. Really.” She still hesitated; and when I opened my mouth to insist she surprised me.

“You know the rumours that were going round about Michael? About him not being a virgin?” Where was this leading?
“Yeah.” Lilia hesitated a second longer before sucking in her breath and continuing.
“I was...considering it. The next level I mean.” That was one of the wackiest things I’ve ever heard. I mean; I should have been expecting it. I knew all about sex and everything, if I didn’t know before my brother had made sure of that during Stepping Stones and whatever else we had scheduled for the day. I also knew none of us were strictly “legal” until we were sixteen. Michael would be walking a dangerous path if he decided it was ok.

“Wow Lil; that seems...so not like you.” She blushed at that statement and excused herself to go back into the water with Michael. I looked at their relationship through a whole new light now. I never realised they were that close. I didn’t even think Will and I were ready for that.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur; a pleasant blur. Ash was the idiot he was born to be; Stephen and Sienna just smiled and joked around a lot; Sienna even apologised for accusing me of stealing Spider’s belongings. I think Ash might have said something to her though even though I had no idea how he’d found out in the first place. He hadn’t even been there.

The others- Will and Alizé and that- were pretty much the best friends they’d always been. Several times I was invited into the water with all sorts of promises but I declined every time. Every five minutes or so someone different would come and sit with me; even though I was perfectly content watching them have fun.

It delighted me to see them so happy.

However the water sports couldn’t last forever; and pretty soon it was getting on for being nine at night. Everyone came out of the water and grabbed a towel each; then, humming with excitement we all took seats on the grass while someone-Ash I suspect-went to collect the bottle someone had thought to pack-once again, I bet that was Ash.

“Okay. Everyone knows the rules of spin the bottle. I’m saying we’re playing the game where the first person it lands on has to kiss the second person it lands on.” Before anyone could ask; he smiled;

“And it doesn’t matter if both are male or if both are female.” I didn’t miss the glance he shot at Will when he said that; and neither did Will.
“No arguments?” Before anyone got the chance to muster up a comment; Ash spun the bottle. It landed on Michael. He spun it again; it landed on Alizé. Both of them were bright red but they kissed briefly and sank back down again. Neither Lilia nor Shane seemed to mind that their respective couple had just kissed the other, for which I was thankful. I’d been scared this would cause rifts between us. I was-however-dreading the one time I’d get paired with Ash. If Will’s jealousy wasn’t bad enough now...plus I remembered my promise from earlier. I’d told Will if I so much as hugged Ash in a romantic way he could chuck me head first into water. Oops. Well, let’s hope a forced kiss wouldn’t fit into the rules. The next couple were Stephen and Lilia. That one was quick as well. Next time it landed on Will and me. That was quite a relief.

That kiss was so long that Ash had to throw his shoe at Will’s head to make him pull away.

Those shoes definitely got their use as weapons I’d give Ash that. First Janko, then me and now Will. Wow.
“Just ‘cause you wanted to do that.” Will said, putting his arm around me protectively as Ash rolled his eyes and spun the bottle again. Will’s statement got thrown right back in his face when it landed on me and Ash. Oopsie. Credit to Will, he didn’t freak out when Ash smirked; he didn’t even kick out when Ash kissed me a hell of a lot longer than “a quick peck.” Whoops on my part I guess.

The next one was tricky. Alizé and Sienna. That was unusually creepy; and that wasn’t even a full on kiss. Eek. Yuck. Lilia and Alizé were up next; then me and Alizé (I won’t repeat some of the comments Shane had made to that) and then it was Shane and me.

“Ok. I think we need to spice it up a bit.” Ash’s voice was excited; like Christmas had come earlier. Did he really get off watching girls kiss each other? It was actually quite yuck in my mind. It felt all weird. I had nothing against bi’s or anything; I respected them. I just didn’t prefer it myself.

Ash’s words were thrown back in his face when it landed on him and Will. The reaction was immediate.

“No way.”

“You’re not scared of me are you Edwards?” Ash laughed at his bad joke. Shane and Michael were laughing their butts off while I was trying my hardest to keep Will from punching the spunky redhead. Ash was asking for it.

“Will...you don’t have to do it.”

“Thank you.” He whispered; relaxing ever so slightly.
“My arse he doesn’t need to do it. Everyone else did.” Sienna complained; “I say we vote. I say yes.”
“I say no.” I told her angrily; any progress we’d made before sank into oblivion. Shane and Michael shared simultaneous looks and burst out laughing. Michael caught himself first.

“Hell yeah.” That was three “yes’s” and one no. There were three people left.

“No.” Stephen and Lilia said at the same time. That left the overall vote up to Alizé; who was looking from me, to Will and to Shane over and over again in confusion.

“I guess the decider’s on me. No competition; sorry Will but I say yes.” Everyone who said yes whooped silently; Sienna did it out loud. Ash had started to look slightly queasy. Even those who had said no seemed to accept that Will and Ash were about to kiss. Will-well, if you’ve ever watched a film where a cute baby animal dies; that was the exact expression that was on Will’s face now- shuffled uncomfortably; which left Ash to come closer- which he did after some prompting from Sienna and Stephen.

Will was almost purple with anger; and seconds before Ash reached him, I leaned over to his ear and whispered in my quietest voice;

“It was never specified that it had to be on the lips.” He seemed surprised for a moment; but he frowned as he shot back;
“That doesn’t exactly help.”
“Hey, it’s better than having to kiss him on the lips.” Will didn’t get a chance to reply because Ash had crossed over. Will had gone all “impromptu” and he’d stood up as well. When Ash leaned in; exclaiming that it was better to get it over with; Will turned to the left so their lips would touch. Instead Ash’s lips caught Will’s cheek before he turned away in disgust. Which one did first I wasn’t sure.

“NEVER doing that again.” Will grunted as he sank back onto the floor. Everyone looked shocked; and when Shane-noticing the cocky look on his face-opened his mouth to comment on the “kiss” I glared at him.

“It was never specified in the rules that you had to kiss the other person on the lips. You just had to kiss someone somewhere.”

“That opens up a lot of potential comments.” Alizé pointed out; looking like she’d missed out on something good. The dangerous glint in her eyes was back and I hated its presence. Didn’t I already have enough reasons to be looking over my shoulder?

“Anyway; we’re wrapping up now.” Ash frowned; Sienna had spoken, and here I was thinking she was a drama queen who drank and smoked cigarettes for fun. I guess she wasn’t as hard as she let us to believe. Jumping on me yesterday was probably the worst thing she’d done. Stephen and Ash nodded in agreement to her statement and obediently started packing up the picnic baskets and sports equipment. Everyone else started to take a fair share of the equipment as well.

Will gave me a funny look when I didn’t follow them as they began to spread out and walk away. Ash stopped walking as well. Talk about intense drama.

“I’m going to stay here for a while. I’ve got a lot to think about.” Both boys hesitated; but between Alizé and Sienna both were unceremoniously dragged away kicking and screaming. Lilia shot me a “are you sure you want to be left here on your own” look which I returned with an “I’m sure but thanks for the concern” look and I was left alone.

At first the atmosphere was eerie. I was so used to company of some sort. Standing out here I was almost certain someone was watching me from the bowl of trees but I didn’t think about it. I forced all negative thoughts from my head. I’d made a promise to myself long ago; something I haven’t mentioned to anyone that when I’m scared of something I’d try and face it.

Now was the time to try and stick to that promise.

That was the first mistake I made.

As soon as I’d consciously made myself admit that my only fear at the moment was of water; I knew what I had to do. I couldn’t let irrational fear conquer me every time I lost faith in something. No, life was much bigger and a lot more important.

The water seemed tame beside Alex and the danger he presented; yet I was more scared of the water than of Alex. It didn’t make sense.

“You know...in the olden days; witches used to be bobbed in the water to prove their guilt.” The voice came from the bowl of trees; deep inside them. It was horrible and familiar enough to make chills run thoroughly up and down my spine. What was he doing out here? How long had he been out here in the first place?

Alex stepped out from the shadows; beaming like the Cheshire cat. I never liked Alice in Wonderland.

“What do you want Alex?”
“Would a ticket to the show be a welcome proposition?” It was obviously one of his crazy days. First witches in the olden days and now spying on me? He normally wasn’t this disjointed.
“I came to search you out actually. Don’t forget you made a deal. The meeting’s been bumped. It’s tonight not tomorrow.” Damn, that ruined everything. His words were obviously meant to sidetrack me because he managed to nudge his way right next to me.

As I examined him closer I rebounded. He smelt strongly of cigarettes. His eyes were bloodshot and sweat was beading on his forehead and falling by the gallons. He hadn’t been in any of the camp lessons for the past few days-as far as I knew-and I was wondering momentarily what he’d been up to.

“Are you listening to me?” He demanded, his voice snapping at me like a whip. Shocked at his controlive tone I nodded.

“Yeah, I heard you.”

“Good. We can go now then.” Alex was clad out in leather and black jeans. His shirt was black and dirty. His leather jacket was black and slimy. How had I ever found this guy attractive in the slightest? Everything I’d ever seen in him had been false. A mask he’d put on to fool me and hurt my friends.

I’ve never hated anyone more than I hated him in that moment. His beady eyes scanned my expression, probably wondering why I wasn’t answering his questions in the way he wanted me too. Damn it, I usually did.
“Can I change first?” If everything was messed up; I was still determined to get the evidence I needed; which meant going back to the cabin Spider and I now shared and grabbing the video camera. Our plan wasn’t refined enough though; there was a major chance Alex would find out my plan in a second. He’d bust me and hurt the others.

This would all be over.

Well...I bucked up my ideas; it can’t afford to be weak and unrefined. I need to get my act together. Trying to act strong-even though I was far from it inside-I puffed out my chest and glared down at Alex; or up because he was a hell of a lot taller than me and pretending to be stronger than him would probably sign my own death certificate.

“Fine. But make it quick; I’m already late. Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you! I didn’t think you were one to “break the rules.” His voice was a sneer; one that annoyed me very much. What gave him the right to judge me when he was a drug dealer intent on hurting those around him? If anything he should be locked away. I’d personally burn the key and eat the ashes. Or maybe I’d just flush it down the toilet. The less effort it took the better. Alex wasn’t worth it.

“Sorry if I didn’t stick to your plans.” Alex shrugged off my sentimentally rude statement and started slinking away, expecting me to follow. Reluctantly I did. Pretty soon we’d stopped outside my new sleeping arrangements and Alex was lounging outside, having led the way there. At the time I didn’t think anything of it. A lot of people had to know that I’d broken away from the punishment cabin and moved back into my original one. Spider was the secret in this whole messed up situation.

Moving quickly in case Spider chose that moment to make an inconvenient noise or something I unlocked the cabin door and slipped inside. I needn’t have bothered with the stealth; Alex didn’t even bother to straighten up. I was completely in private.

Well, completely in private except for Spider, who was staring at the back of Alex’s head in something resembling more than brute rage. The big guy was probably a second away from killing Alex with a major hit to the head. I’d like that- a simple answer to this problem-but I didn’t want Spider to get judged on murder charges. It wasn’t worth it when we could do this through the law.

While I located the camera and balanced it on the Chester drawers Spider’s attention shifted to me, yet he kept glancing at through the window every second or so. His attention however-was diverted when I slotted the curtains across on my way into the bathroom to change into the black jeans and t-shirt I’d dug out from my suitcase. The black t-shirt was one of my favourite ones. It was completely black, except for the sleeves and neckline, which were lined in something that felt like satin. It was stretchy and it was impossible to sweat inside it even though it was black.

Once I’d dressed all up-out of my bikini for a start-I was ready to face Alex and the whole situation again. I hadn’t realised that I’d been in my bikini and quarter lengths when Alex had seen me and he hadn’t mentioned it. Weird.

However, because I wasn’t prepared I didn’t have a jacket big enough to hide the camera. Spider sensed my panic. His voice was barely above a whisper as he kicked himself off the bed and came up behind me.
“I need a jacket big enough to hide this.”
“Why? I thought nothing was going down until tomorrow.”

“So did I, but apparently not, because here I am, preparing to go into the lion’s den.” While I rambled on Spider disappeared for a second into the bathroom and re-emerged with something black. His leather jacket.

“Here. The pocket’s big on it. There’s even a hole in the pocket which will make getting face recognition easier.” Thankful for the help, I nodded and leaned upwards to kiss him on the cheek. Even the great Spider blushed when my lips came in contact with his cheek but I refused to be ashamed of saying thank you in my own little way. So what if I was proving Will right? I didn’t think of Spider or Ash romantically, so being close to them shouldn’t be a problem right?

Here I was, about to do one of the most dangerous things of my life no doubt and I was worried about boyfriend trouble. Typical teenager I guess.

“Charli...it’s not too late to pull out. Something’s wrong, Alex never moves his meetings.”

“I have to do this Spider.” He contemplated that for a moment while I adjusted the camera and did some alignment to make sure everything was set. Satisfied; I switched it on and began to record everything; making sure to switch of the blinking light which was what had given it away to me and Will when we’d been tied to that tree what seemed like ages ago.

Trying to build up my courage, I edged towards the doorway, my strides becoming more confident until I had my fingers clutched on the brass.

“Spider...everything’s changed. You need to tell Will and the others to call the police earlier. To change our plan to today. Can you do that?”

“Charli, I have to be there. In that alley, what if something goes wrong?” Determination shone brightly in his eyes but I was stubborn as well. For once, Spider would do what I told him to do whether it killed him or me. I didn’t care for once.

“Listen to me Spider. You won’t be in that alley. You’ll be finding my friends and sorting out the help before things go even more pear-shaped than they already are. Do you understand?” He opened his mouth to protest but I practically put all the force I could muster behind my repeat of the statement.
“Do you understand? It is not a question you’re meant to fight with. It’s an order you’re meant to follow.”

“You don’t order me around Charli.” Spider’s voice was dangerously low, like he was considering something no one would approve of.

“Tonight I do. Sam...” I used his real name to show him I was deadly serious; “Go to Will’s cabin and do what I told you to do. There’s more danger if you don’t. Now...I have a job to do.” Before he could make a single move, I unlatched the door and slid outside, taking in huge gulps of laboured breath. Everything I’d said, it was true. In more than one way. It was more dangerous if Spider didn’t get help, but it was deadly if he didn’t. I don’t think he understood that though. This idea suddenly wasn’t as appealing anymore. It was too late anyway, Alex had descended.
“About time. Come on.” In his dark clothing-which I’d copied in my own style to blend in with the shadows and hopefully remain undetected- Alex almost became a figment of my imagination. I really wished he was, I’d rather be crazy than about to do something this reckless. Honestly, what had happened to my everyday life back in Boston? I realised quickly that I didn’t even know where this camp was, what the towns nearby were called. Everything had been laid out for me and I hadn’t even bothered researching practical ways out. Ways that no doubt might have worked.

I wondered briefly why I hadn’t used the common sense I was meant to have if I spent so much time being anti-social? Had I secretly wanted to be at this camp? Had I seriously wanted to become someone more outgoing and confident? I think that was true.

Glad that I had once again sorted another one of my problems out solo I jogged to catch up with Alex, who was making fast progress. Everything about his posture seemed suspicious, like somehow he already knew what I was planning and he was figuring out the best line of offence.

No; I scolded my brain. Don’t make things worse by imagining the worst outcome. It won’t happen, it can’t. Think positive thoughts. Imagine Alex locked away in prison not being able to hurt anyone. Imagine Dimitri coming back to the camp because his foot’s healed. Alex did that, he’d originally tried to attack me but I’d narrowly escaped thanks to Spider. He’d sent distractions because he hadn’t been able to tell me directly. Of course, I’d then blamed Spider for putting Dimitri’s life at risk. I’d rather I’d have been injured than someone else.

“It’s a nice night don’t you think?” Alex said suddenly, right out of the blue from beside me. After that tiny jog about a minute ago we were now walking at a level pace towards the canteen, or the little side alley beside it where Alex had led me once before about a week and a half ago. I couldn’t remember exactly. It had been before my accident on the last camping expedition. Last Tuesday I think.

The moon was nothing but a slit in the rapidly darkening sky. That probably meant more to someone else than it did to me. All it signified right now was that I wouldn’t have that much light to see by when it became fully dark. That was alright though, it meant no one else would have an advantage on finding me either. Sometimes the darkness was the best hiding place. You could be a foot in front of someone in pitch blackness and they no doubt wouldn’t notice you straight away. It was how most serial killers got their victims. Well, ones with common sense anyway. I wouldn’t know from reality, I was judging from my books and writing.

“It’s boring. I prefer the full moon.” I said dryly, deciding to instead analyse the feral look in Alex’s eyes, like he somehow wanted to stand up and gobble up the moon. That’s how crazy he appeared now. Pretty soon the canteen building reared up, hostile and ugly. Alex strode right past it and through the narrow slip in the side alley down to the right. Feeling slightly more unsure-Alex had been confident in his actions-my legs carried me after him, shaking all the while from fear I refused to acknowledge right at this moment.

Why had Alex decided to do everything earlier? Why not tomorrow when the whole camp wasn’t here? When most of them would be missing on the camping expedition? I had no idea. For once in a long time Alex didn’t try to start a conversation, not when he was loping down the crumbling path or when he was sliding under the fence to pass out the camp. Somehow I’d missed it before when he’d brought me this way before; the first time I’d almost been stabbed. Damn, looking at it now I’d been thrown right in the deep end with no life raft. I never thought I’d relate the words “stabbing” and “me” together ever. I wasn’t the sort of person who got into that sort of trouble, not normally anyway. I wanted out of this.

I was deep in doo-doo and I didn’t have a shovel.

The druggie alley was the same as I remembered. The only difference this time was that the lumbering figure of Spider wasn’t here to help me out of dangerous situations. The shadow guy I completely hated (Janko) was hanging round, and when he noticed me lumbering behind Alex he gave me a stubby smile and raised a hand in a dodgy greeting. My memory was still fresh. He’d almost stabbed me both times. That guy could have been my murderer by now if sheer luck hadn’t been on my side.

“Charli?” Alex must have said something I missed. Everything seemed to have boiled down to Janko now. Alex even paled in comparison to his henchman. Alex had this silent threat thing going on while Janko screamed dangerous. The guy terrified me to hell and back again without even lifting a finger or cracking a grin like he was now.

“I said...the guy I got in touch with-your supplier from now on-is standing over there.”

“Not that I want him to be my supplier. Alex...” I hadn’t realised but I’d been about to beg him to change his mind. Even though this was a set-up, I wasn’t ready to sell myself into anything. In that second I didn’t care who it saved, they all disappeared from my mind. The only thing that rotated round and round was the danger. The potential addiction. The conviction charges. I would never survive in prison; no way in hell.

From the look in Alex’s eyes he knew what I’d been about to say as well.

“I hooked him up. He’s legit. I owe you that much. Only strikes out when you don’t pay, doesn’t push. Great as far as dealers go.” Then-slightly too tightly for my liking, I must have looked like I was about to bolt-Alex gripped my shivering forearm, his sweaty fingertips were like burning coals even though the leather jacket and the black shirt.

“You made me a deal. There’s no way you’re backing out of it.” After that I shut up and quit shivering. What was I trying to do? Run away screaming while not getting what I’d come here for? No, I had to focus right now. It was vital.

Alex dragged me to a stop after travelling a couple of metres. The crowds had thinned out now, in fact, there were only three of us present. Me, Alex and the guy who’d apparently been set up as my drug dealer. Janko had even disappeared.

“Charli, this is Richard Anchorage. Rick among his...customers. I’ve known him for three years; he’s two years older than me, eighteen, just.” Alex’s short description was lost on me yet caught on camera. The guy in front of me was turned around, not facing us. I heard a murmured voice. Was he on the phone? Why on Earth would a drug dealer about to meet a new customer be on the phone to a strange person at the predicted time I’d arrive?

Just as I was thinking these thoughts, the strange guy turned around...and ran straight into me. He hovered for a second, confused and then he pulled away, acting like he hadn’t just walked into someone who’d soon be below him.

What I saw actually startled me when he met my eyes.