Chapter Seven

Discretion: I do not own DP

AN: This was my favorite chapter to write so far! I had this all planned out in my phone after I wrote the first chapter! I tried to keep them all in character, sometimes I feel like Derek in this story isn't as harsh as he is in the books, but I'd like to think that aging has made him more mature… but still blunt.

Anyway, Enjoy!


Previously…

He handed out the bowls and when he came to me he dropped the fabric on my lap along with my bowl— clearly, he still hated me.

I had completely forgotten that I was only in my bra and shorts, and surprisingly Tori hasn't commented on it at all. I quickly pulled the shirt back on and ate my berries in silence. When the hell would our rescue party come? Because I needed off this island, now!


Week Six

I carved another tally mark into the tree and grumbled, we have been here for six whole weeks and not one sign of anyone looking for us! When the fourth week came the tension grew and we were all at each other's throats, even Simon and I were bickering. The longer we were out here the more likely the search party has given up, which meant we were stuck on this island. I tried to stay positive but the negative thoughts were starting to cloud my mind, what was dad doing? Aunt Lauren had to be in hysterics! Six weeks without knowing what happened to her niece, I mean… she wouldn't just give up.

Derek said that if we were here longer than a month then we would start building the other tent, but we still haven't even started on it. In a way, I think we have been putting it off because we all don't want to face the fact that we might never be found. Tori has been nice lately and it's been putting me on edge when Derek would yell at me for doing something stupid she would stand up for me. She has been like this since I came back from the turtle egg nest and I still had no idea what her tactic was.

"Chloe," Simon waved his hand in front of my face pulling me out of my thoughts. "We have to go collect more yucca crap, time to start on your tent." He said as he made his way towards the woods. I looked back at Tori and Derek as they cleared a section of sand close to the other tent. I must have really been out of it. I quickly followed Simon and caught up to him surprisingly fast. He must be out of it too usually it takes me a good five minutes to catch up.

"So, we really are making another tent?" I asked.

"Yes, weren't you listening to Derek?"

"No, I spaced out…what'd he say?"

"That we have to face the facts that we are probably going to be stuck here for a while and it's time to stop pushing shit off. We have to start making long-term plans, we can't keep eating fruit and nuts for the rest of our lives." He let out a frustrated breath and knelt near the yucca plant. I pulled back on the leaves as he cut away at the root, making sure to leave enough space to allow it to grow. I carried half of the heavy leafs while Sion carried the other and we walked back in silence. None of us in the mood to say what's on our minds.

I crushed the yucca this time and handed the strands to Tori, Derek and Simon were collecting sticks and arranging them so it would be big enough for Tori and I. I didn't need much room, but Tori was almost a foot taller than I and she was going to make a fuss if she didn't get what she wanted. I wiped away the sweat that was dripping down my face, it had gotten a lot hotter over the past couple weeks, but at nighttime, it was freezing. Probably because we were near the ocean and in the middle of the Caribbean.

I was still uncomfortable with the idea of sleeping next to Tori, she was already unpredictable during the day, who knows what she'll try when we are alone. I also did;t want to admit it but being in the same tent as Derek —as annoying as he is— gave me some sort of comfort. Hopefully being less than two feet away from the boys would still help, but I had to stop relying on them to keep me safe.

"Are you done the rope?" Derek asked. I looked up and squinted against the blinding sun. Tori sighed and pushed another strand away from her and stood up stretching her legs.

"You could help, Derek! This is the most boring shit I have ever done and we have to do a bunch more!"

"We aren't in a rush for this to be done, if we don't finish tonight you guys can sleep in th—"

"I don't want to sleep near you guys anymore! I'm tired of the snoring and Simon talking in his sleep! I'm pretty sure Chloe is tired of that shit too!" Tori pointed over at me and Derek turned to look down at me, I shrugged and kept twisting the strands together. I didn't feel like getting in between their fight, they were grown up they should deal with it on their own.

"Look, I get that we are trapped her for who knows how long and as much as I hate it, I have to learn to get along with each other! I'm trying to communicate with you, Derek, that I do not want to wait another day for my own tent!" I stared in shock at how calmly Tori explained everything, this is the fifth time she's done this and it still freaks me out! Was she playing us? And then one day when we think she has changed and finally relaxed, she would snap and kill us all. I shook my head, Tori may be crazy, but she wasn't a psychopath. Last week when Derek caught a squirrel for dinner Tori cried for a half hour saying he was an evil human being. I mean we all had to eat something other than berries.

"Fine. I'll help once I am done with the sticks," Derek turned and headed back to Simon. I turned back to the yucca plant and crushed more strands, it proved to be a good way to take out your frustrations.

"I miss my boyfriend," I looked up in surprise as Tori looked longingly towards the water. "He was supposed to come to the wedding, but at the last minute, a client just happened to call… I'm pretty sure he was cheating." She looked back at me and gave me a sad smile. "Simon is the only one who had the perfect girlfriend, who was my best friend. I mean C'mon, there are a million other people on earth and my best friend happens to be his soul mate?" She rolled her eyes as she finished another rope. I wasn't sure on what to say, I'm not used to talking to her unless you included bitching at each other.

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

"Uhh no," I uncomfortably crushed another strand and looked anywhere except in Tori's direction.

"Why?"

"I—I just don't." I wanted to yell at her, she spent weeks bickering at me about how boyish my body looked, but now she was surprised that I never had a boyfriend?

"I'm sorry about what I said about your body, Simon yelled at me a lot. I've just never seen such a …. childish body." I sighed and pushed away from the plants and stood up, Tori gave me a shocked look. "Where are you going?"

"Look, I can't help how my body looks or the fact that I was too sick for guys to take priority in my life!" I argued and stormed into the woods, I knew she hasn't changed she was just putting on a front! I walked blindly in the woods with no particular destination in mind, I just need to get away from her before I did something I would really regret. Instead of going left which would bring me to the river, I went right and walked to the other side of the hill. As the trees started to thin it was clear that this path was a dead end unless I wanted to jump fifty plus feet to my death. I doubt anyone has been up here yet so finding me would take some time.

I walked to the edge of the cliff and peeked over, the bottom consisted of dark green choppy waters that even the best swimmer couldn't conquer. But the rest of the view was astounding, I could see miles from where I was standing. This would be a good place to look for ships instead of the shoreline.

I sat down with my feet dangling over the edge, and took it all in. I missed the city so much, but this view could never be beaten not in a million years. I watched in the distance as a bird swooped down and plucked something out of the water, which made me think of Finding Nemo. His dad searches miles and miles for his son, and he was a goddamn fish! Where is my dad? He had tons of money to use for more than one rescue party, we should have been found by now!

I would say that he probably hasn't even noticed I'm missing, but I was supposed to meet him in San Juan! He would be beyond stupid to not notice by now, especially with Aunt Lauren going crazy! I sighed and slumped forward just a tiny bit I didn't want to accidentally fall off the cliff. I just wanted to be home.

"You planning on jumping?" A deep voice called out, I nearly jumped out of my skin which almost made me fall off the damn cliff! I quickly turned to face Derek and glared at him, he shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"You've been up here for hours and Simon insisted on having me tell you that the other shelter is done, and we are going swimming in the lake if you want to join." I frowned, I hadn't realized that I had been up here for that long.

"Why couldn't he tell me this?"

"Beats me." He grumbled and started walking away, even if I wanted to go swimming I had nothing to go in! Sure, I could go in my underwear, but, um, hello! Baby blue underwear is not a good substitute for a bikini bottom—everything can be seen once it's wet!

After sitting there for awhile I decided to follow, it didn't necessarily mean I had to go swimming I could just hang out with them. It beats being all alone. I could hear Tori's squeals before I even saw her, when I got to the clearing Tori was over Derek's shoulder begging to be put down. Derek let out a deep, rich chuckle that tugged at the sides of my mouth. I've been with them for almost two months and I have never heard him laugh, not even once! I watched as he flipped Tori over and sent her sailing into the water when she came up for air I expected more bitching, but instead, she was laughing.

I guess having siblings wasn't that bad, yeah they argue and push your buttons, but they can become one of your closest best friends. I sat on the rock beside the lake watching all three of them goof around, it was like seeing three totally different people.

Simon seemed to notice me and started swimming in my direction, once he reached the rock he climbed out and sat next to me. He was in just his boxers and I'm guessing that that was what Derek was wearing too.

"Why aren't you coming in?"

"I don't have anything to wear…"

"Well neither do we," he gestured to Derek and Tori who were wrestling to push each other underwater. Derek was clearly not using his full strength because Tori actually looked like she could win. "Come on! Relax and cool off, the water is warmer than the ocean." He nudged me and then jumped back in and quickly swam back to his siblings, I stopped paying attention as I started braiding three vines together, it could be a cute homemade flower crown. I'd have to add the flowers on later, I think pink and white would be-

Suddenly I was being thrown over someone's shoulder and carried into the water. I screamed and hit whoever's back it was, judging by how high up I was it must have been Derek. Before I could think of anything to do I was flying through the air and soon underwater. I was sinking too fast to swim back up and because I was screaming when I was flying, I had no chance to hold my breath. My lungs were burning and the surface seemed to be impossible to reach, I paddled my hardest and finally, I could see the light. As I broke to the surface I gasped for air and moved to the shallow area, my lungs burnt like crazy every time I took a breath. Once I had my breathing under control I glanced back at Simon and Derek, but they were no longer in the water. I couldn't find them anywhere. Tori sat on the rock I was earlier drying off, she too was only in her undergarments.

"Ready?" Simon shouted from behind me, I frowned and looked up to see the guys standing at the edge of the waterfall.

"Be careful!" Tori shouted and giggled as we watched both of them jump one at a time. I don't know how they could do that without dying, it was a fifteen-foot drop! Okay, maybe it was a death risk, but they could still get really hurt and then Tori and I would be stuck doing all the work around here! I shivered as a gust of wind blew through the trees, this is why I didn't want to go swimming, and the fact that I can't swim!

I started walking back to the campsite after sitting there for another five minutes shivering my ass off. At least I could go into the tent and block the wind, I didn't even get five feet before I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Where you headed?" Simon asked. I sighed and turned back to face the wind, my teeth just wouldn't stop chattering.

"I'm c-cold. I'm going b-back to the t-tent," I stuttered out and held onto my arms tighter. Derek and Tori walked up beside us both holding dry clothes to wear later. I wanted to scream and maybe cry, but instead, I walked back in silence. I would just have to endure the freezing night with wet clothes.

"Why are you so quiet, Chloe?" Simon asked once again on the short walk back to the campsite.

"I'm f-freezing! I didn't want to go swimming for a reason!" I hissed as another blast of cold air came from out back. Is it me or did it just now get cold when I have no way to get warm? I sat down on a log near the fire pit and huddled against my legs.

"Will you quit your belly-aching?" Derek grunted as he threw his shirt at me, I looked at the faded white shirt and rolled my eyes. I wasn't belly-aching, Simon asked me why I was quiet! I took the shirt and headed into the girl's tent, which was the same as the guys just not as tall. As I stripped off my shirt Tori walked in and stopped dead in her tracks.

"That is disgusting!" She shouted. Frowning, I covered my body with my wet shirt not sure what she was saying was gross. I mean, small boobs aren't gag-worthy…

"What?"

"That scar! I didn't see it before," she pointed to dark purple scar that started at my belly button and disappeared under my shorts.

"It's always been there, it's just dark because I am cold! Can you leave so I can get dressed?"

"Jeez, I was just getting my shirt! No need to be bitchy!" She grabbed her shirt and quickly left the tent, I could hear hushed voices outside—Tori was probably gossiping about my scar. Did they forget that the walls are literally leafs? I stripped out of everything else wet except my underwear and when I slipped the shirt on it nearly reached my knees. I could go without underwear, but I didn't want to risk anything especially with how windy it has been out.

I grabbed my wet clothes and walked out of the tent, it was just Derek and me left at the campsite. He was kneeling by the fire trying to get one started, I walked past him and hung my wet clothes up onto the lowest branch available. Which was far from low to me, I had to go up on my tippy toes to just be able to throw the clothes onto the branch. I looked at my bra and frowned, how would I know my clothes would be safe up there? What if Tori took them? I would be stuck in Derek's shirt and underwear… Stop being so paranoid, Chloe! I tossed up the bra and it landed perfectly beside my other clothes, now let's hope I can actually reach them later.

"Heigh-ho, heigh-ho it's home for work we go," Simon came out of the woods holding three rat looking creatures and singing incredibly off tune. "I got a bottle of rum and a need for fun!…uh something, something, heigh-ho!" Simon set down the creatures and took an exaggerated bow and looked back at us.

"The trap worked! We go the meats!" His voice deepened as he pointed to dead animals.

"Where's Tori?" Derek asked, inspecting the dead squirrels.

"Picking berries… She asked for your help, Chloe." I gave him a stern look and resisted to move, last time I fell for that I was almost eaten by a snake! "Unless you want to switch places and you can skin the squirrels?" Simon raised a brow and motioned for the woods, I wanted to resist, but then that would just cause more drama. Besides, I had no desire to skin any kind of animal.

I found Tori deep in the woods squatting in front of what must be a blueberry bush, three bowls were already full with kale and mixed berries. There was no reason for me to be here, I'm sure she can handle this on her own.

"You rang?" I said. I watched in delight as Tori fell over in shock, she looked over at me and glared.

"Don't sneak up on people like that!" She brushed off her legs and handed me the empty bowl. "I wanted to talk to you, away from the boys," she said, too busy picking berries to look in my direction.

"About what?"

"Your scar," she looked up at me and scoffed as if I was already supposed to know that information. "How'd did you get it?"

"Surgery…" I paused and really looked at her, why did she care about what's on my body?

"Did you have a baby?" I burst out laughing, how could I not? Tori thought I had a kid? Just a couple weeks ago she thought I was twelve! Imagine, me, having a kid? That'd be the day. Tori gave me a look that took all the humor out of the moment, I cleared my throat and wiped away the tears.

"No, it was from removing a tumor," I said as I started picking my share of the berries and hopefully if we finished this quickly I could leave and not have to deal with this conversation.

"Can you have kids?" she finished with her last bowl and scooted closer to me to help with mine, I was still mystified on why she was being nice.

"No, the chemo and radiation messed up my reproductive organs, and the surgery sure didn't help at all."

"Good!" She turned towards me and gave me a toothy grin and then turned right back to picking the berries.

"Why is that good?"

"Umm, well, duh! Derek doesn't want kids so you guys would be perfect for each other!" She giggled.

"D-Derek? What? Ew, no! He's engaged and I'm not—" I stood up and glared at her, what was she trying to do. She looked genuinely shocked as I started to walk away.

"Well, you can't have Simon! He's taken, so the only other person on this Island is Derek!" I stopped in my tracks and turned back to her.

"Derek is taken too!" I said, which must have been hilarious to Tori because she started giggling unit tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"Silly, Chloe." She stood up and tilted her head to the right, her long black hair falling into her face. I started backing up faster, what the hell was wrong with this bitch? She stood up straight and shook her head and looked back at me, she frowned, bent down to grab the bowls and walked towards me. She handed me two of the bowls and headed towards the campsite. What was that all about?

"Why are you staring at me?" She snapped.

"You were saying weird things… about Derek and me—"

A harsh laugh, "Derek would never settle for someone like you, even if you two were the last people on this island!" I stopped in my tracks and just stared after her, did I image everything that just happened? Her harsh laughs were audible from all the way back here, I looked down at the bowls in my hands, D and C—how ironic.


I didn't eat much of my dinner, considering how nervous I was about sleeping next to Tori earlier, I was terrified of it now! She went full crazy and two seconds later couldn't remember anything! I watched her now as she remorselessly ate her part of the squirrel and laughed along to Simons jokes. Maybe I was wrong earlier, maybe she was so crazy that she had us all fooled into thinking she was sane…

"Why aren't you eating?" Simon whispered. I shrugged and forced more meat into my mouth, it tasted like undercooked chicken, but we didn't really have anymore cooking options other than a stick and a fire. Yeah, we had to cook squirrels as if we were doing s'mores. Simon seemed satisfied with my answer because he turned back to his bowl continued eating. I ate a couple more bites, but once my stomach threatened to bring up what I just forced down, I knew it was time to stop eating. It seemed to be that I was the only one who couldn't stomach their dinner as everyone else piled their empty bowls but the log.

"You know what is good after a satisfactory squirrel s'mores? Ghosts stories!" Simon said rubbing his hands together mischievously. I rolled my eyes and placed my bowl next to the others, I did not need any more scary shit tonight or my nerves would fry.

"I'm good," I said as I sat back down on my log, I rubbed my arms together to try and keep some heat on me. The sun had set a while ago and the only heat source was the fire, I have no idea how Derek was staying warm with only being in shorts.

"Well too bad, we are! You can't just joke about ghost stories and not tell them! It's one of the worst crimes out there!" Tori commented. I was never going to win here so I just gave in, they'd probably be lame stories anyway. "Simon, you go first since you brought the topic up!"

"Gladly," Simon cleared his throat and stood up straighter. "March 24, 1978, on route from Bermuda to Portsmouth a naval ship called HSM Eurydice was caught in one of the most unbelievable snow storms known to man. The ship capsized and quickly sank, killing all but four out of the three-hundred-and-nineteen remembered crew. There have been numerous reports made about seeing the ship afloat just where it supposedly sunk… but what about those four survivors? What happened to them? Where did they go? Well, the story has it that a women swam up to them when they were trapped under the frozen water, desperate for air they agreed to do anything for the lady. Once the women brought them to land they took note on how odd she looked, her nose was snubbed and her fingers were webbed, and her feet! Well, she didn't have any, in their place was a long, beautiful green tail—almost like whales. But once the women were dry her tail turned into feet!"

"She taught the men how to cook, hunt and build a shelter and in return, all the men had to do was be loyal to the women and she would keep them safe and alive. It seemed easy enough, that is until another mysterious creature washed ashore begging for help, the men being dazed by how prettier this one compared to the other did as they were told. Three of the four men fell for the other women charm, they couldn't help it, she was so beautiful and lustful… well, word got back to the ugly mermaid and boy was she pissed! She stormed onto shore and slaughter everyone who was unfaithful.—including the prettier mermaid! Only one served the brutal massacre and he was left to stay on the island until he proved that he was loyal to the mermaid! No one knows where the exact island is, but some have heard the screams of the men being slaughtered and the evil laughter of the women." Simon wigged his eyebrows and smiled, I couldn't help but rub my hands down my arms once again—not because I was scared, I'm cold! Jeez, mermaids aren't even real!

"Okay, that was über lame, I have a better one!" Tori exclaimed and scooted to the edge of her log. I peeked a quick look at Derek who had his arms crossed and was intently looking into the fire—he looked as bored as I felt. "Okay, this takes place like thirty years ago, so not as old but still old. So, a guy drove his date to a dark and deserted lovers' lane for a make-out session,"

"Like that time dad caught you and Brady fucking in his car!" Simon interrupted while laughing his ass off. I couldn't imagine how embarrassing that must have been, not just for Tori or the guy, but for their dad! "I mean it would make sense to leave the driveway!"

"Says the Nineteen-year-old virgin!"

"Hey, I waited for Liz to be ready… at least I wasn't the last one in the family." Tori and Simon both looked at Derek who seemed to be…blushing? I couldn't blame him, I haven't even told Lauren that I was still a virgin… at Twenty-three. Damn.

"That's what you think, now get back to the stories!" Derek mumbled. Tori and Simon shared a look and did that weird twin mind thing, and then both nodded.

"Who was it?" Tori asked.

"None of your business." He grunted.

"Okay, how old were you?" Simon quizzed.

"Younger than you were and older than Tori, now can we move on?"

"So, between fifteen and eighteen… that doesn't help!"

"Too bad."

"Just finish the story, Tori," Simon said as he slumped back into the wood, his face sketched in confusion.

"Fine, so the boy went to lovers' lane and turned on the radio for mood music, he leaned over to whisper in the girl's ear and began kissing her. Minutes later, the mood was broken when the music suddenly stopped mid-song. After a moment of silence an announcer's voice came on, warning in an ominous tone that a convicted murderer had just escaped from the state insane asylum— which happened to be located within a half-mile of where they were parked—and urging that anyone who notices a man wearing a stainless steel hook in place f his missing right hand should immediately report his whereabouts to the police. The girl became frightened and asked to be taken him. The guy, feeling bold, locked all the doors instead and, assuring his date they would be safe, attempted to kiss her again. She became frantic and pushed him away, insisting that they leave. Relenting, the boy peevishly jerked the car into gear and spun its wheels as he pulled out of the parking space. When they arrived at the girl's house she got out of the car, and, reaching to close the door, began to scream uncontrollably. The boy ran to her side to see what was wrong and there, dangling from the door handle, was a bloody hook!"

"That was is so old and overused!" Simon complained and crossed his arms, I could have laughed at how young he looked doing that, but I was still feeling unsettled. "Derek, it's your turn!"

"I don't have any," he uncrossed his arms and shrugged.

"Bullshit, you always have a ton of stories to tell when we went camping with dad!" Tori exclaimed. Derek looked down at the fire and let out a deep sigh as if Tori was forcing him to tell a story.

"Fine, but I'm only telling one so don't beg when I am done." He gave Tori a stern look who nodded eagerly, she'd probably beg for more knowing her attitude. "Back in '75 a young couple, both eighteen, decided to get married right after high school. The father of the bride lived in Palm Beach in a mansion and was able to afford a big wedding. To make a long story short, they got married, and the wedding was beautiful, blah, blah, blah. After the wedding, they had a big reception in an old building, and everyone got pretty shit faced. When there were only twenty people left, the groom decided that they should play hide-and-seek. Everyone agreed, because who doesn't play hide-and-seek at a damn wedding," Derek rolled his eyes and shook his head, listening to him talk was kind of soothing, his New Yorker accent coming in here and there. It reminded me of home and I missed it dearly.

"Anyway, everyone agrees and the groom was 'it.' They all went and hid, and the game went on. After about twenty minutes everyone had been found except for the bride. Everyone looked everywhere and tore the whole place apart looking for her. After a few hours, the groom was furious, thinking the bride was playing some shitty trick. Eventually, everyone went home. A few weeks later the groom, having placed a missing person report, gave up looking for her. Heartbroken, he tried to go on with his life. Three years later a little old lady was clean the place up. She happened to be in the attic and saw an old trunk. She cleaned it off, and, out of curiosity, opened it. She screamed at the top of her lung sad ran out of the building calling the police. Apparently, the bride had decided to hide in the trunk of the game of hide-and-seek. When she sat down, the lid fell, knocking her unconscious and locking her inside. She suffocated after days or so. When the women found her, she was rotting, her mouth in the shape of a scream."

"Ha! Kinda like you with your wedding, except the groom is missing, and probably won't be found until we are dead! " Tori commented, pushing her hair out of her face. I swallowed and looked down at my dirty sneakers, I don't know why we never talked about the fact that we may not get rescued and we actually might fucking die here! What was the point? We have been here for almost two months and not even one sign of anyone else being here. We were as good as dead.

"Chloe—considering you're such a movie fanatic— do you have any scary stories to tell?" Simon asked. I could tell he was desperately trying to lift the mood, but I was already creeped out about the other stories and the fact that I might die here. And a virgin too! I must have messed up pretty bad in my past life for God to hate me this much!

"Yeah, but I'm tired. I'm going to go for a bathroom break.." I stood up and held down the oversized shirt—just in case the wind decides it was a perfect time to blow it up— as I walked into the woods. I wonder what life would be like right now if I never got on that plane, would I have connected with my dad a different way? Would I still be working at the same dinner? Would I have a boyfriend yet? I wonder what he would look like, blonde, blue eyes? Too bland for me.

After I finished my business and headed back to the campsite I heard a weird noise. I've been in these woods alone and in the dark plenty of times for over the past couple weeks, but I've never heard that before! It sounded like an animal crying for help, I paused and even held my breath to try and hear it better. When it happened again blood ran cold throughout my body and I quickly turned back to the campsite. It sounded like a human being crying out for help! How? Everyone was back at the fire, I would have heard them walk past me!

I froze when I heard a chilling laugh coming from the right of me, I didn't know what to do. I felt that if I ran whoever was out there could easily find me, but if I stood her then they'd be able to find me too! I panicked and did the only thing I could think of—walk slowly and try not to make any sound. As I came around the corner I could see the beach just a couple hundred more feet and I'd be safe, but relief seemed to fuel my fear. It made me want to run and never look back, but I knew better.

I looked behind me real quick to make sure no one was there, but all I heard was more cackling and some more crying. When I turned around I saw a dark figure standing in the middle of the path, I screamed bloody murder and if I hadn't already gone to the bathroom I would have pissed myself from fear. Instead of running away or fighting off this stranger like a normal person would do. I fell to my knees and started sobbing, the fear and the crying made breathing difficult.

I heard familiar laughing coming from in front of me, when I looked up I saw those stupid, bright green eyes. Derek was the person standing in the path, I would bet my trust fund that Simon and Tori were in on this too! I wiped away my tear and stood up, I was too pissed to say anything at all. I glared as I passed Derek and made my way back to the tents.

I went to my clothes and tried to grab them so I could take this stupid shirt off, but they were too high and still looked wet. I could just sleep in my underwear, but who the hell knows what kind of prank they would play on me! I gave up and stomped back to my tent.

"Where'd you go?" Simon asked and he came to a screeching halt when he saw my tear-stained face. I didn't say anything and just glared at him, he probably thought it was funny to mess around with people like that. Well, it wasn't.

"You should have seen your face, Chloe! It was pure fear, I almost pissed myself laughing!" Tori said as she came out of the forest line walking beside Derek. I felt my face flush and my breathing becoming shallow and faster. Was this how they go their kicks? Harass the outsider until she goes crazy?

"Fuck you." I hissed. And with that I went into my tent and forced myself to sleep.


"Oh my, don't you look magnificent!" Aunt Lauren exclaimed as she examined my long, lace, wedding dress. I looked in the mirror I was standing in front of and smiled, I looked just like my mom in her wedding pictures.

"I'm nervous!"

"Oh, don't be! Simon is a very nice fellow! I can't wait to see all the little kids you raise! By the way, what will your last name be?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, are you changing it? Or keeping it? And if you do change it what will it be?" Lauren asked as she handed me my bouquet. I frowned and thought back, Simon never did tell me his last name. How odd. I turned at the sound of a knock on the door, in walked Tori in a long blue dress, her dark hair pulled up into a bun.

"Look at my new sister-in-law!" She came in and hugged me quick and hard then turned to my aunt. "May I have a moment?"

"Of course! I'll see you at the ceremony!" Tori walked Lauren out with a big, fake smile on her face, and once the door was shut it was gone. "Listen here, bitch, you will not be marrying Simon! He is my brother, so I get to pick whom he dates and marries!" She pushed me off my little stool and punch me in the nose.

"What the hell?" I clutched my cheek and glared at her. It seemed like slow motion as I watched her hand come flying towards me, but instead of just her fist, there was a brick! Where the hell did she get that?

"Nighty, night, bitch!" She yelled and then everything was black.

When I woke up everything was still dark, I could barely move my hands an inch without them coming in contact with something. Where was I?

"Hello?" I screamed and it bounced right back. I was in something small, my legs were scrunched together and my neck was ore from bending it at an annoying angle. I felt my body jolt and my stomach go into my throat as if I were on a rollercoaster. What was going on? The air wasn't coming fast enough for me to properly breath and I couldn't move an inch without my whole body complaining. I heard a click and footsteps coming towards me and some voices, but they were too low for me to recognize.

"Where's Chloe?" A guy asked.

"I have no idea! She was here when I left, did you check all the bathrooms?" This time I recognized the voice—Tori. She was the one who hurt me! I screamed as loud as I could and banged my hands against the walls, why couldn't they hear me? The footstep retreated and I was left alone…or so I thought. There were another click and a couple of grunts, I was blinded by the light to see who had opened the door. The person blocked the light and I blinked a couple times to adjust my eyes. Dark hair and bright green eyes became visible and I almost wept with joy, I noticed how much older he looked. His hair was graying at the sides and he had laugh lines around his mouth.

"Chloe…" Derek whispered and shook his head. He pulled out a cell phone no longer looking at me. No matter how hard I tried I could not move it was as if my body froze in this position. "I found her and it looks like she's been dead the whole time," Derek grumbled into the phone, I couldn't understand what he was talking about. I wasn't dead!

I bolted up and screamed, I felt around my face and body making sure everything was alright. I grabbed my legs and frowned when I couldn't find my shorts, where were they? It was too dark to see anything in the tent, but I could hear Tori's light snores and a couple of grumbles.

I wiped my tear stain face and took a shaky breath, that dream was crazy and I blamed the obnoxious scary stories. If Derek hadn't told a story then maybe I'd be dead to the world right now, having dreams of being home. I laid back down and tried to calm myself and go back to sleep, but nothing was working. Every time I closed my eyes I pictured Tori hitting me in the face with a brick or being trapped in a trunk. Eventually, I just gave up, if I ever did fall asleep tonight it would be chalk full of nightmares of homicidal mermaids and creepy dead brides.

I walked down to the water and tried to clear my mind. The moon was shining so bright tonight that it felt so close, and maybe if I held out my hand I could touch it. I sat down and took a deep breath in, I missed everything from home. I missed the city sounds and the lights at night, I missed my dad and his awkward hugs. I missed Aunt Lauren even if she was a helicopter aunt, she was trying her best to take care of her sister's kid. I even missed my stuffed koala bear, even though he's been shoved into my closet since I was ten. I just wanted to be home already and away from this crap.

I wonder how terrified Lauren is, was he up all night hoping that she'd get a call saying they found me? Where was my dad? Was he still working or was he trying to find me? Would I ever see them again?

AN: Okay! That was 12 pages long, the longest chapter I have ever written! (So far)

I hope you enjoyed!