((Sorry for the hold up))
The girl, Stephanie, took her time answering the question, either taking her time to gather her thoughts or just thinking which parts to tell, them. Again Aaron was reminded that for some people the game was already well under way, even if his stint so far had been relatively uneventful. He wondered if maybe people woke up at different times, then he started to wonder what would happen to those who got stumbled upon before they woke up and decided it wasn’t productive to think like that.
As he saw the girl slump against one of the large stone surrounding them he realised that ‘what happened to you’ wasn’t exactly a simple question in a situation like this. Any number of things could have happened at the hands of any number of people. Friends, enemies, people you got on ok with and people you never knew; you couldn’t count on any of the people in these groups still being in those groups when you ran into them here. Hell, Aaron had never even spoke to Jasmine before today and they seemed to be each others allies in this game right now.
Aaron couldn’t help but wonder at the state of his own teammates and friends when he thought of it like that.
"oh you know I thought death valley was supposed to be warm...she isn't leaving me alone,it wasn't my fault:I think it's time to...go".
When the answer finally came it was a mess. The words made no sense themselves and the erratic cadence and rhythm just made it harder to understand. ‘She isn’t leaving me alone, it wasn’t my fault’ stood out as being particularly worrying, but since the girls name hadn’t been called out on the announcement it couldn’t be that bad.
Aaron didn’t know what to make of it and judging by the shrug she threw his way neither did Jasmine. The look on her face said it all. ‘I got nothing’.
"I want to try and find Ashley and Amanda. Aaron do you have any ideas of where we should start looking?"
Now it was his turn to shrug. He had been at the back of the group, behind Jasmine; he had lost track of her even when she was in sight, he had no idea what had happened to the other two. “I didn’t see which way they were going when they got lost. Maybe they kept going north? The cabin is a no-go but maybe they were heading that way and went somewhere else instead?”
With this thought in mind Aaron reaching into his pocket and pulled out his copy of the valley map. It was about time he took a look at it and actually got his bearings. Seeing it for the first time was a shock; the lake and the crag cabin had been so close together. The Stone Circle – he assumed that’s what this was – was so far away by comparison. How the hell had they gotten this lost?
“They could have gone into the pine boundaries or up the mountain track, in which case they probably went south. West to us. Or maybe they went the other way and headed for the shack. Like I said I don’t know which way they were going or how far they got before the announcement turned them back.”
Aimless
Open
The other two droned on, worrying about such inconsequential matters. She didn’t even bother to think whether she knew the mentioned people. Unless they happened to have a plane so they could fly out the valley then it didn’t matter, socialising paled further into insignificance. Everything was just so..inconsequential. She supposed she might as well stay with them, Jaz had been a good friend to her after all. That is if the two let her, and why would they?
She had been sidelined by the other two, a position she deserved. The shrug and resulting look on her best friend’s face pretty much summed up what Steph was feeling too. She felt conflicted, the memories were too painful to share but were overwhelming her. She wanted nothing more than to unburden but she knew, even without the group’s confirmation, that it wouldn’t help. That was even if she could sort out the thoughts in her head.
Steph felt hungry, after all she hadn’t eaten anything all day. In her slumped position she could hardly even be bothered to find the food supply. As she searched in her bag her hand brushed against the rough surface of her weapon. She pulled the brick out her bag before carefully placing it under the central stone of the circle. She then grabbed her bread ripped off a few chunks and offered it to her companions whilst taking a token amount herself.
“Here, save you getting your own out. Besides I have far more than I will possibly need”
She had been sidelined by the other two, a position she deserved. The shrug and resulting look on her best friend’s face pretty much summed up what Steph was feeling too. She felt conflicted, the memories were too painful to share but were overwhelming her. She wanted nothing more than to unburden but she knew, even without the group’s confirmation, that it wouldn’t help. That was even if she could sort out the thoughts in her head.
Steph felt hungry, after all she hadn’t eaten anything all day. In her slumped position she could hardly even be bothered to find the food supply. As she searched in her bag her hand brushed against the rough surface of her weapon. She pulled the brick out her bag before carefully placing it under the central stone of the circle. She then grabbed her bread ripped off a few chunks and offered it to her companions whilst taking a token amount herself.
“Here, save you getting your own out. Besides I have far more than I will possibly need”
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Aaron suggested that Ashley and Amanda could have either gone deeper into the pines and up the mountain track or they actually had ended up heading for the cabin. Whatever the case he was right when he said that the announcement would have turned them back. After all it had declared that the cabin was a danger zone so they would've given up on the plan of going there and from there they could have gone anywhere. It made the task of finding them difficult because they didn't have a set place where they could go where they'd expect to find them.
Jasmine was committed to her choice though, she needed to try and do something. Rolling over wasn't going to do anything, no matter how appealing it seemed at times. When Jasmine thought about it, it seemed likely that Ashley would have gone looking for Marley since she hadn't been able to find Jasmine and Aaron after losing them originally. So maybe if they found Marley they would find Ashley with him. It was a long shot but it was an idea, that and it gave them someone else to look for, which at least meant they had a better chance of finding someone.
The hardest part was just deciding where to look first. If they picked the wrong place it would waste a lot of their time and potentially be dangerous since they could encounter someone who would attack them. It was an important decision. One Jasmine wasn't sure she wanted to make, it was why she had asked Aaron if he had any ideas, but he didn't have anything concrete and Stephanie was in no condition to make a decision so it looked like it was up to her.
Jasmine was distracted from her thoughts by Stephanie speaking up. It was the first time she had spoken without being asked a question so Jasmine assumed it would be important. So she was disappointed when it turned out Stephanie was just offering bread to her and Aaron. Jasmine didn't like the way Stephanie was speaking but didn't mention it. It was probably easy to see on her face anyway. She took the bread with a mumbled thanks and nibbled on it as she thought.
In the end the urge to actually do something and the fact she wanted to leave the Stone Circle won out and Jasmine decided on a plan. She quickly pulled out her own map to check if it would work and a smile flickered across her face when she saw that it would. They could walk straight from the Stone Circle to the clearing and according to the map the town as well. All in one straight line. From the town they could then return to lake to see if either Ashley or Amanda had doubled back on themselves. That was if they didn't find them before then. Then they could either follow the mountain path or the stream depending on what the danger zones were like when they got there.
"Guys I have a plan." Jasmine laid her map down on one of the stones and motioned for the others to come and look. "We can just walk straight from here to the clearing in the pine stands and then from there walk straight to the town. As long as we stick close to each other we shouldn't get lost and all we have to do is keep walking in the same direction so there's no chance of us getting turned around." She traced the line she was talking about with her finger. "Then we can head back to the lake and follow the path that leads up into the mountains or the stream, but that part depends on what the danger zones are like when we get there. So what do you guys think?" Jasmine felt good about coming up with the pane and to actually be taking control of the situation. Now all that was left was hope the others agreed with her plan.
Jasmine was committed to her choice though, she needed to try and do something. Rolling over wasn't going to do anything, no matter how appealing it seemed at times. When Jasmine thought about it, it seemed likely that Ashley would have gone looking for Marley since she hadn't been able to find Jasmine and Aaron after losing them originally. So maybe if they found Marley they would find Ashley with him. It was a long shot but it was an idea, that and it gave them someone else to look for, which at least meant they had a better chance of finding someone.
The hardest part was just deciding where to look first. If they picked the wrong place it would waste a lot of their time and potentially be dangerous since they could encounter someone who would attack them. It was an important decision. One Jasmine wasn't sure she wanted to make, it was why she had asked Aaron if he had any ideas, but he didn't have anything concrete and Stephanie was in no condition to make a decision so it looked like it was up to her.
Jasmine was distracted from her thoughts by Stephanie speaking up. It was the first time she had spoken without being asked a question so Jasmine assumed it would be important. So she was disappointed when it turned out Stephanie was just offering bread to her and Aaron. Jasmine didn't like the way Stephanie was speaking but didn't mention it. It was probably easy to see on her face anyway. She took the bread with a mumbled thanks and nibbled on it as she thought.
In the end the urge to actually do something and the fact she wanted to leave the Stone Circle won out and Jasmine decided on a plan. She quickly pulled out her own map to check if it would work and a smile flickered across her face when she saw that it would. They could walk straight from the Stone Circle to the clearing and according to the map the town as well. All in one straight line. From the town they could then return to lake to see if either Ashley or Amanda had doubled back on themselves. That was if they didn't find them before then. Then they could either follow the mountain path or the stream depending on what the danger zones were like when they got there.
"Guys I have a plan." Jasmine laid her map down on one of the stones and motioned for the others to come and look. "We can just walk straight from here to the clearing in the pine stands and then from there walk straight to the town. As long as we stick close to each other we shouldn't get lost and all we have to do is keep walking in the same direction so there's no chance of us getting turned around." She traced the line she was talking about with her finger. "Then we can head back to the lake and follow the path that leads up into the mountains or the stream, but that part depends on what the danger zones are like when we get there. So what do you guys think?" Jasmine felt good about coming up with the pane and to actually be taking control of the situation. Now all that was left was hope the others agreed with her plan.
Aaron reached out somewhat reluctantly to take the bread from Stephanie. Not that he wasn’t hungry or felt that he should pass up food in a situation like this; it was just that the more this girl spoke the more worried about her he became. What she had said so far was worrying enough but her last comment only pushed his suspicions further. ‘I have far more than I will possibly need’.
It was said in such a way that he almost didn’t catch it; if he wasn’t already worried and listening carefully to what she was saying he might not have.
‘More than I will possibly need’.
Was that because she didn’t plan on living very long? Or was it because she had more food than most other people in the valley? Maybe she had taken someone else’s share somewhere along the way.
They had met her too soon after the previous announcement, which he name wasn’t on, for her to be a killer, but it was becoming more and more apparent that she had seen someone get killed. Maybe even played a part in it.
He wasn’t left too long to dwell on this new information however before Jasmine spoke up again, apparently having come up with something she wanted to show them. She had perked up quite a bit as a result and seemed almost energetic as she laid the map out and traced a line from one landmark to the next. From the Stone Circle, to the Clearing, to the Town, back to the Lake and then onwards to the Mountain Trail and the Cabin if the Danger Zones permitted. Aaron didn’t see anything all that wrong with the plan, though it was hard to poke holes in a plan that was little more than ‘wander around until we find who we’re looking for’.
Still, this was Jasmine’s show. Aaron didn’t have anyone he particularly wanted to go find and if this was the way that Jasmine wanted to go and search for her friends then he was on board with that.
Maybe he should think about trying to find some of his teammates at some point, but for some reason the idea didn’t sit well with him. He wasn’t all that ingrained in their clique, spending more time in the gym and with his family than with them – not counting practice – and felt he didn’t really know them that well to trust them with his life. He could say the same thing about Jasmine and Stephanie to be honest – especially Stephanie – but at least he felt they wouldn’t turn on him either. If he was around a group of naturally competitive, aggressive, physically strong teammates he couldn’t be so sure of that.
He was more comfortable where he was.
“Sounds good to me.”
It was said in such a way that he almost didn’t catch it; if he wasn’t already worried and listening carefully to what she was saying he might not have.
‘More than I will possibly need’.
Was that because she didn’t plan on living very long? Or was it because she had more food than most other people in the valley? Maybe she had taken someone else’s share somewhere along the way.
They had met her too soon after the previous announcement, which he name wasn’t on, for her to be a killer, but it was becoming more and more apparent that she had seen someone get killed. Maybe even played a part in it.
He wasn’t left too long to dwell on this new information however before Jasmine spoke up again, apparently having come up with something she wanted to show them. She had perked up quite a bit as a result and seemed almost energetic as she laid the map out and traced a line from one landmark to the next. From the Stone Circle, to the Clearing, to the Town, back to the Lake and then onwards to the Mountain Trail and the Cabin if the Danger Zones permitted. Aaron didn’t see anything all that wrong with the plan, though it was hard to poke holes in a plan that was little more than ‘wander around until we find who we’re looking for’.
Still, this was Jasmine’s show. Aaron didn’t have anyone he particularly wanted to go find and if this was the way that Jasmine wanted to go and search for her friends then he was on board with that.
Maybe he should think about trying to find some of his teammates at some point, but for some reason the idea didn’t sit well with him. He wasn’t all that ingrained in their clique, spending more time in the gym and with his family than with them – not counting practice – and felt he didn’t really know them that well to trust them with his life. He could say the same thing about Jasmine and Stephanie to be honest – especially Stephanie – but at least he felt they wouldn’t turn on him either. If he was around a group of naturally competitive, aggressive, physically strong teammates he couldn’t be so sure of that.
He was more comfortable where he was.
“Sounds good to me.”
Steph listened impassively to the plan. The end result would be the same irrespective of what she did. She had hoped the good luck of finding her best friend would cheer her up. However she still felt powerless. She was a walking disaster and still felt fear that her own failings would impact disastrously on her friends. The feeling of repetition and hopelessness felt oppressive to her and she needed to leave.
She had to sort herself out, sort her head out. Turn her conflict into serenity and she felt she could only do this alone. She was not ready to explain herself to Jas, wasn’t sure she could even if she tried. Her head was a mess she needed to think, sleep and sort herself out. She waited for Jas to finish before speaking.
“I need to be alone, will see you..later mate, good luck”
She had to sort herself out, sort her head out. Turn her conflict into serenity and she felt she could only do this alone. She was not ready to explain herself to Jas, wasn’t sure she could even if she tried. Her head was a mess she needed to think, sleep and sort herself out. She waited for Jas to finish before speaking.
“I need to be alone, will see you..later mate, good luck”
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Aaron was on board with the plan, which was good because despite the fact she had actually taken control of the situation she wasn't entirely sure how the other two would take it. All things considered she probably should have expected that from Aaron since he had been happy to stick with the girls and hadn't had a problem with any of their decisions before. Although that hadn't exactly been the best decision he'd ever made since they'd all gotten separated extremely fast. Then again he hardly had a choice in the matter unless he wanted to go through the Program alone.
Stephanie on the other hand said she needed to be alone. She even went as far as to say goodbye to Jasmine. Jasmine had been getting more irritated by the way Stephanie was speaking and this was the point where she snapped.
"Stop talking like that! You can't leave; we only just found each other!"
Jasmine couldn't believe it, Stephanie already wanted to leave. They had barely been in contact with each other for more than an hour and she already wanted to cut and run. It made no sense to Jasmine, why would she want to leave, was whatever happened that bad? If it was that than surely it would've been better for her to be around a friend instead of on her own.
Any confidence Jasmine had managed to build up through taking control of the situation was slowly seeping away.
Did Stephanie not trust her judgement?
The truth was that Stephanie's presence had just made things worse for Jasmine as far as her mental and emotional state was concerned. Maybe Stephanie leaving wasn't such a bad idea. It would've made the group more positive that was for sure. But Jasmine didn't want to lose her only other friend in the game. She just hoped Stephanie would reconsider.
Stephanie on the other hand said she needed to be alone. She even went as far as to say goodbye to Jasmine. Jasmine had been getting more irritated by the way Stephanie was speaking and this was the point where she snapped.
"Stop talking like that! You can't leave; we only just found each other!"
Jasmine couldn't believe it, Stephanie already wanted to leave. They had barely been in contact with each other for more than an hour and she already wanted to cut and run. It made no sense to Jasmine, why would she want to leave, was whatever happened that bad? If it was that than surely it would've been better for her to be around a friend instead of on her own.
Any confidence Jasmine had managed to build up through taking control of the situation was slowly seeping away.
Did Stephanie not trust her judgement?
The truth was that Stephanie's presence had just made things worse for Jasmine as far as her mental and emotional state was concerned. Maybe Stephanie leaving wasn't such a bad idea. It would've made the group more positive that was for sure. But Jasmine didn't want to lose her only other friend in the game. She just hoped Stephanie would reconsider.
Whatever relationship Jasmine and Stephanie had before this game, it didn’t seem to be doing the pair too much good right now. Stephanie wanted to be left alone and Jasmine was becoming increasingly distressed with the way her friend was acting. So was Aaron for that matter, but probably in a different way. Concerned of her, rather than concerned for her.
He couldn’t help but notice the slight pause between ‘see you’ and ‘later’. It was suspicious, even if Aaron was in a state to read too much into anything the girl said right now. When people paused like that it was generally because they were taking time to think of what to say next. Or what lie to tell next. Whatever Stephanie was planning to do once on her own it was apparent she didn’t intend meeting up with Jasmine again to be part of that plan.
This didn’t bother Aaron all that much, he got a bad vibe from the girl. Except that it did bother him. As much as he was concerned what would happen if he kept hanging around this girl, he was also concerned what would happen to her if she was left alone. That said, there wasn’t much he could do; he didn’t know her, before the game or now, and he wasn’t exactly equipped to play psychiatrist in any case. Even Jasmine, her friend, couldn’t snap her out of whatever effect she was under right now.
Speaking of which. Aaron stepped forward till he was just behind Jasmine and put a hand on her shoulder. The action made him uneasy; he couldn’t but feel he was overstepping his bounds and acting more familiar than he should be. It made the next part harder as well.
“Maybe we should just go; give her some time to herself.” In a lower voice he added. “I don’t think you can get through to her the way she is now. She needs to process.” The words sounded hollow, probably because Aaron didn’t even know what the hell they were supposed to mean. Just something people said in these situations he guessed. Louder again he addressed Stephanie as well. “We’ll find Ashley and Amanda and be waiting for you at the Lake, ok? Make sure you catch up when you’re done here.”
He couldn’t help but notice the slight pause between ‘see you’ and ‘later’. It was suspicious, even if Aaron was in a state to read too much into anything the girl said right now. When people paused like that it was generally because they were taking time to think of what to say next. Or what lie to tell next. Whatever Stephanie was planning to do once on her own it was apparent she didn’t intend meeting up with Jasmine again to be part of that plan.
This didn’t bother Aaron all that much, he got a bad vibe from the girl. Except that it did bother him. As much as he was concerned what would happen if he kept hanging around this girl, he was also concerned what would happen to her if she was left alone. That said, there wasn’t much he could do; he didn’t know her, before the game or now, and he wasn’t exactly equipped to play psychiatrist in any case. Even Jasmine, her friend, couldn’t snap her out of whatever effect she was under right now.
Speaking of which. Aaron stepped forward till he was just behind Jasmine and put a hand on her shoulder. The action made him uneasy; he couldn’t but feel he was overstepping his bounds and acting more familiar than he should be. It made the next part harder as well.
“Maybe we should just go; give her some time to herself.” In a lower voice he added. “I don’t think you can get through to her the way she is now. She needs to process.” The words sounded hollow, probably because Aaron didn’t even know what the hell they were supposed to mean. Just something people said in these situations he guessed. Louder again he addressed Stephanie as well. “We’ll find Ashley and Amanda and be waiting for you at the Lake, ok? Make sure you catch up when you’re done here.”
Steph felt a stab of guilt as she saw her friend’s reaction to her statement. She had really fucked up that was for sure. She never really wanted anyone to get hurt, but it was far too late for that now. She desperately wanted to reconsider and just hang around with her best friend, just like old times. However, she knew that wouldn’t help her. If anything it would make everything worse, besides she couldn’t risk her own bad karma killing someone else close to her. She already could hardly forgive herself but that would be the final straw.
She blinked back tears, upset at the situation she had found herself in. She suspected if she didn’t leave now she never would. Her friend’s plea made her feel awful but she was resolved to her decision, she wanted to give Jaz some profound advice but couldn’t think of anything beyond don’t get killed. She moved forward to hug Jaz before changing her mind and saluting the girl instead.
She then slowly turned her back to her friend, oblivious to the conversation around her. She set off at a run, knowing if she turned around she would change her mind. She didn’t really know where she was going she just knew she needed some peace and quiet.
(Steph Moon continued in The Murky Depths)
She blinked back tears, upset at the situation she had found herself in. She suspected if she didn’t leave now she never would. Her friend’s plea made her feel awful but she was resolved to her decision, she wanted to give Jaz some profound advice but couldn’t think of anything beyond don’t get killed. She moved forward to hug Jaz before changing her mind and saluting the girl instead.
She then slowly turned her back to her friend, oblivious to the conversation around her. She set off at a run, knowing if she turned around she would change her mind. She didn’t really know where she was going she just knew she needed some peace and quiet.
(Steph Moon continued in The Murky Depths)
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Jasmine felt a hand on her shoulder. Aaron. She didn't push him off, she didn't react. She would be able to appreciate the gesture later. For the time being though her focus was on Stephanie. Aaron was talking, saying that they should give Stephanie time to herself, that she wouldn't be able to get through to her. Jasmine knew he was right, but she didn't want to lose another friend. It seemed that every time things were looking up something went wrong. They lost someone. This time it was Stephanie. Aaron was suggesting that they let Stephanie go and then meet up with her again at the lake. In truth Jasmine didn't hold out much hope of seeing Stephanie again. If her luck so far was anything to go by.
Then Stephanie was gone, running away. Jasmine never even got a chance to say goodbye. She watched her friend go, silently wishing her good luck and saying goodbye.
For the second time since she'd woken up Jasmine felt empty. She had managed to meet up with, and lose her two best friends. She didn't even know if she would see either of them again, but it didn't look likely. She rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. Nothing had gone right for her. Her life had been going perfectly up until Announcement Day, and then it had just been on a downward spiral. A spiral that didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. Jasmine took a deep breath and busied herself with rolling up her map and packing it away, blinking every so often. Aaron's hand was still on her shoulder. It was comforting in its own way. Jasmine could tell it made him uncomfortable, but the fact he still did it to provide support still meant something and she appreciated it.
"Thanks Aaron." She said her voice shaky. She put her own hand onto his and squeezed it before taking it off her shoulder. She didn't look at him. With her voice still shaking she spoke again. "Let's go. I don't want to stay here." With that she lifted her bag up over her shoulder and started walking to the first location she had mapped out in her plan. The clearing, then onto the town, and whatever waited for her and Aaron there.
((Jasmine Stone continued in In Hindsight, This Was A Terrible Idea))
Then Stephanie was gone, running away. Jasmine never even got a chance to say goodbye. She watched her friend go, silently wishing her good luck and saying goodbye.
For the second time since she'd woken up Jasmine felt empty. She had managed to meet up with, and lose her two best friends. She didn't even know if she would see either of them again, but it didn't look likely. She rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. Nothing had gone right for her. Her life had been going perfectly up until Announcement Day, and then it had just been on a downward spiral. A spiral that didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. Jasmine took a deep breath and busied herself with rolling up her map and packing it away, blinking every so often. Aaron's hand was still on her shoulder. It was comforting in its own way. Jasmine could tell it made him uncomfortable, but the fact he still did it to provide support still meant something and she appreciated it.
"Thanks Aaron." She said her voice shaky. She put her own hand onto his and squeezed it before taking it off her shoulder. She didn't look at him. With her voice still shaking she spoke again. "Let's go. I don't want to stay here." With that she lifted her bag up over her shoulder and started walking to the first location she had mapped out in her plan. The clearing, then onto the town, and whatever waited for her and Aaron there.
((Jasmine Stone continued in In Hindsight, This Was A Terrible Idea))
Stephanie was gone almost before Aaron realised she had even begun moving, taking off at a run into the surrounding forest without even a backwards word. As he watched her disappear from sight he couldn’t help but feel that he wouldn’t be seeing her again, at the lake or otherwise. Whether it was something about the girl herself that inspired such thoughts or just paranoia from the situation he couldn’t tell.
Jasmine seemed to be calmed somewhat by his hand on her shoulder and he found himself glad he took the risk in being so familiar. She said thanks and squeezed his hand and she removed it from her person and he let it drop calmly. Nevertheless she still seemed shaken and it was evident in her voice that seeing a friend disappear for the second time was hard on her.
She wasn’t content to just dwell on it though; she seemed to want to push the thoughts aside with action and carry on with her plan to search half the valley for her other missing friends. Aaron was grateful for this; inaction didn’t suit him and if Jasmine had reacted worse to the situation he doubted to could do more to help her through it.
Aaron followed Jasmine out of the Stone Circle, content to let her lead the way and let her drive the pace. He flung his bag up onto his shoulder, his lasso still wrapped around the other, and kept the girl within a certain distance as they made their way to the Clearing. He had learned from their previous mistakes and it wouldn’t do to lose her again. He had been lucky enough to find her again the first time.
((Aaron Chalmers continue in In Hindsight, This Was A Terrible Idea))
Jasmine seemed to be calmed somewhat by his hand on her shoulder and he found himself glad he took the risk in being so familiar. She said thanks and squeezed his hand and she removed it from her person and he let it drop calmly. Nevertheless she still seemed shaken and it was evident in her voice that seeing a friend disappear for the second time was hard on her.
She wasn’t content to just dwell on it though; she seemed to want to push the thoughts aside with action and carry on with her plan to search half the valley for her other missing friends. Aaron was grateful for this; inaction didn’t suit him and if Jasmine had reacted worse to the situation he doubted to could do more to help her through it.
Aaron followed Jasmine out of the Stone Circle, content to let her lead the way and let her drive the pace. He flung his bag up onto his shoulder, his lasso still wrapped around the other, and kept the girl within a certain distance as they made their way to the Clearing. He had learned from their previous mistakes and it wouldn’t do to lose her again. He had been lucky enough to find her again the first time.
((Aaron Chalmers continue in In Hindsight, This Was A Terrible Idea))