Page 13 of Vindicate

I smile at Jensen, who gives me a little nod before turning to catch up to his friends. I turn around to head toward Alli who is now further down the path and chatting to some people she must know.

But something pulls my attention before I can take my first steps her way.

Afeeling.

My skin lights like the flame of a torch, heat creeping along the surface of my arms. I've only ever known one thing that can make me feel like I’m about to combust, like I’m being swallowed by fire.

Is he here?

If he is, I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that I’m looking for him, that I feel his presence. That I even care. But if I’m being honest with myself, he’s one of the reasons I decided to come. I can’t remember much about that night, but I have one memory I haven’t been able to erase. And If I can recall that moment, I wonder if he can help bring out anymore.

But the truth of the matter is, I didn't just lose Declan and Seren in the Pines that night…

I losthimtoo.

Thriller Nights Weekend Festivities

Friday:

Noon-5pm - Arrival

5pm - Bonfire

7pm - Paper Lantern Memorial

9pm - Movie and a Maze

Saturday:

8am - Halloween Pancake Breakfast

11am - Truth or Dare

8pm - Haunted House (where a costume)

Sunday:

9am - Goodbye Waffle Breakfast

11am-3pm Clean Up and Departure

"Looks like we're off to the . . . to the bonfire," Alli exclaims as she slides her finger over the schedule tofind the right time for the next event. It was taped to our door when we got into the cabin a few hours ago, and honestly I didn’t care to look at it.

But she tosses it onto my bed after she figures out what our plans entail for the next hour and I force myself to look at it.

“I can’t wait for the truth or dare, honestly. I know it’s a little juvenile, but I’ve heard it gets pretty steamy,” she says playfully as I read over the intended itinerary.

I can’t say I’m too excited about these activities. Mainly because I’m not sure how beneficial they’ll be to me this weekend. But if I want any chance at remembering anything from that night four years ago, or any chance at finding closure, I have to try.

"What if I just want to stay here for the rest of the night?” I ask as I toss the flyer onto my bed, throwing myself onto my back in a dramatic show. “I’m kind of tired anyways." I feign a yawn, stretching myself. But Alli doesn't buy it. Instead, she reaches over to her own bed to snatch up a pillow and tosses it at me.

I don’t even budge as it lands right over my stomach.

"Don’t be a party pooper." She tosses another pillow at me but this time I sit to catch it. "Besides, they’re making food and roasting marshmallows and I really don't think you want to be all by yourself out here this deep in the-"

"Okay, okay. I'll come, just . . . stop talking." I hold my hands up in surrender, causing her to chuckle at her supposed job well done.

I stand from the bed to put my socks and shoes back on before walking over to the mirror to analyze myself. I changed about an hour ago after Alli and I unpacked our bags, swapping my ripped jeans for askirt because the bottoms were wet and muddy from the melted snow that sank into the soil. I mess with my hair a bit while Alli attempts to perfect her winged eyeliner in the bathroom, rambling about how she can’t believe that we’re here together. But my mind is elsewhere, admittedly, and I tune her out. Instead, I wonder what will happen if I seehimthis weekend.