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NINE

ASTER

“Aster?” I snapped out of my hazy train of thought and looked up at Wolfe. “You okay?” He was helping me clean the tables in the cafeteria after breakfast, one of the many punishments Nurse B had assigned me for taking off the night before and missing a plethora of activities and responsibilities.

I nodded and forced a smile I knew he didn’t believe. “I’m fine.” My arm moved in circles and I scrubbed the table with the damp rag. “Just tired. That’s all.”

More like traumatized. My dream was something a bit too real for my taste. And it left me even more frightened. I couldn't get the image of The Redwood out of my head and every time I closed my eyes, I would see it staring back at me through fire and darkness. It made me shiver.

Wolfe fixed his glasses. “I can imagine. I still can’t believe you got lost in those woods so easily.”

“Yeah, me neither.” Only I didn’t. But what was I supposed to tell them?

That I chased some person in a mask around the woods, found a cult, and now they were all going to die?

Sabbath was right. It sounded ridiculous.

But I still needed to find a way to stop him. All of them. I just don’t know how.

Wolfe and I continued to scrub the tables and clean up. He seemed more quiet than usual. Almost melancholy. “Hey Wolfe.” He looked up at me. “How’s Sol doing?”

His cheeks burned at my question. “He’s okay, surprisingly.

Thankfully, between how fast we were able to pull him out, and the fact that the bonfire was such a large structure, he somehow only has first degree burns.

Nurse B was able to treat them and, for the most part, he’s back to normal.

He did knock his head against one of the logs, but it’s a small cut.

He’s moving around like normal, but he’s going to have some gnarly scars, though.

” He wrung the rag out into a small bucket and smiled.

“Truthfully, I think he likes the idea of having a bunch of insane scars.”

“Oh yeah? Why is that?”

Wolfe shook his head. “Something about looking tougher? I’m not sure, but he’s in good spirits.

And Nurse B said he’s good to stay the rest of the summer.

” My smile fell. “I was really worried. I didn’t want him to have to leave.

” He stopped himself and looked down. “You know, because we’re short staffed. ”

The cafeteria doors opened, and Sabbath walked inside.

Wolfe and I exchanged a look as he walked right past us and into the kitchen.

“What the hell is he doing here?” We both stood and quietly followed.

We stood at the edge of the kitchen and peeked around the corner.

Sabbath was whispering to Beatrice, the woman in charge of the kitchen.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it looked serious.

Wolfe tapped my shoulder. “Aster? Why is your brother talking to Beatrice?” he whispered.

I have no idea.

Sabbath and Beatrice hugged, and we ran back to the tables as if we never left. Not a minute later, Sabbath walked out from the kitchen. His eyes met mine, and I held my breath.

What’re you doing?

He smiled, then looked away and left the cafeteria without saying a word.

Anger stirred within me. “I’ll be right back, Wolfe.” I threw the rag down and marched after Sabbath.

He was whistling an all too familiar song as he stood just outside the cafeteria. “I knew you’d follow me.” He grinned over his shoulder. “Sleep well?”

My face burned with frustration. “No, I didn’t. But you already knew that, didn’t you?” He shrugged. “What were you doing in the kitchen?” He simply kicked the dirt with his boot. “Sabbath. Hey!” I whacked his arm. “Why aren’t you talking to me?”

“Because there’s nothing to say.” He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his jeans and lit one between his lips. “Thisbe is looking for you,” he mumbled as he exhaled a large cloud of smoke.

Of course, she is.

He offered me the cigarette, and I took it.

We stood there in silence while I smoked for a bit before passing it back to him.

“I’ll meet her a bit.” I sighed. “I’m still cleaning up the cafeteria with Wolfe.

Any idea why she wants to see me?” He shrugged.

“Yeah, well, I have a feeling it’s another damn chore.

She’s been throwing them at me since I woke up this morning. Punishment for breaking her rules.”

“Don’t keep her waiting too long.” He pulled me close and kissed the top of my head. The gentle expression of affection was completely unexpected. “And for fuck’s sake, please stay out of the way,” he whispered.

“You know I can’t do that.”

He tapped my chin and smiled. “We’ll see.” Sabbath looked past me before he walked away with the cigarette in his mouth.

The cafeteria door opened, and Wolfe walked out next to me. “Everything okay, Aster?” he asked. We both watched Sabbath stroll down the path in the direction of the woodshop until he disappeared from view, leaving behind only the lingering clouds of cigarette smoke.

A heavy sigh brushed past my lips. “Yeah. Apparently, Nurse B wants to see me.” I ground my teeth in anger. “Seems my list of punishments just keeps growing.”

Wolfe laughed faintly. “I wonder if this is what Doug feels like, considering he’s always in trouble.” A breathless laugh jumped from my mouth at his remark. “You go on ahead. I’ll take care of this.”

I rubbed my neck. “You sure?”

“Yeah, I need to talk to Solomon about something anyways. Hey, good luck.” I waved him off with a smile and trekked down to the administrative cabin.

The summer sky was cloudier than usual and had me wondering if it was going to rain. Ominous clouds were slowly creeping in from the north, which happened to be the same direction of The Ancient One. Something about the timing of the storm left me feeling a bit uneasy. It was too coincidental.

As I approached the administrative cabin, I heard faint noises coming from within. My pace slowed, and I cautiously stepped onto the porch as I listened. “Yes!” a voice cried out. “Yes!” I recognized it immediately and knew exactly what was happening on the other side of the door.

My hand twisted the cabin door knob, and I stepped inside to find Sandy bouncing on Willie’s lap as the two were loudly fucking in the arm chair.

She was riding his dick and moaning while his hands played with her nipples and he kissed her neck.

Willie looked up and noticed me first. He freaked out and raised his hands, as if that would convince me that he was just tasting her skin.

Sandy’s head snapped back and she cussed.

They both stared at me and started to panic.

Sandy desperately tried to cover herself, and Willie sat there, pale as a ghost. I simply turned my head and looked away with crossed arms as the two hurried about and scrambled to compose themselves.

“Shit. I guess Kaila was right about you two,” I teased. “But maybe next time try locking the door. Imagine how traumatizing it would be for one of the campers to walk in and see that .” I motioned my hand in their directions while stifling my laughs.

“I thought you said you locked it!” Sandy shouted. It sounded like she whacked Willie because he groaned loudly. Must’ve hurt.

“Is it safe to look?”

“Yes,” Sandy hissed. My eyes dared to look back.

Sure enough, the two were dressed and standing all awkward and out of breath.

They were flustered and acting like they’d just been caught by their parents.

It was comical. “Please don’t tell anyone, Aster,” Sandy begged.

She looked at Willie as if waiting for him to say something, but he just stared down at the floor.

My arms rose in a defensive pose. “Trust me, that’s the last thing I want to talk about. Although, I’m pretty sure everyone already knows. You two haven’t exactly been subtle.” Their faces burned red.

Willie cleared his throat and raised his eyes. “What’re you doing here, Aster?”

Oh, yeah. I’d almost forgotten the whole reason I came down here.

“I was told Nurse B was looking for me. I assumed she’d be here, but by the looks of it, I was highly mistaken.” He made a face. “Any idea where she is?”

Willie rubbed the back of his head. “She left a good twenty minutes ago or so to handle something. We figured she’d be gone for awhile so we?—”

Sandy interrupted him. “You know what? It doesn’t even matter!” She shot him a death glare. “I’m going to bounce. I’m sure Kaila could use some help down at the lake.” Sandy looked at Willie before she opened the cabin door. “Oh! Nurse B!”

We all stiffened at the name, and our eyes shot to the door. Nurse B was standing there all elegant and as poised as she always was. “Sandy.” She looked past her at me, then Willie. “Aster. Willie. Is there a reason you three are just standing around here instead of doing your jobs?”

Sandy made a face. “Yes! I was just heading out to meet up with Kaila!” She carefully stepped around Nurse B and nearly tripped down the porch. “I’ll catch you guys later!” Sandy wasted no time before sprinting off in the direction of the lake.

Nurse B looked back over at me and then Willie again.

I noticed her eyes fall below the belt. “Your fly’s undone, Willie.

” Her voice was cold and low. Willie frantically fixed his jeans, and I noticed he was sweating.

I just wasn’t sure if it was from fucking Sandy or the intense stare he was getting from Nurse B.

Willie cleared his throat. “Right, well, I have stuff to do.” He nodded. “So, yeah.” He made a face and quickly exited the cabin.

Nurse B shook her head and sighed. “Tell me, Aster.” Her dark eyes raised to mine, and I felt a little uneasy.

“Did you find them together?” My face dropped, and I tried to keep my mouth shut.

Nurse B scoffed with a smile. “I see. Follow me.” She gracefully walked past me.

“I have another task for you. This way.”