The year of the nightmare
Chapter VII: Three… Four… Better lock your door…
The sun was gleaming through the windows of the car. The night had been short, the first one up was Jason and at about 7 in the morning, he prepared the car. The others were awake at about 9 in the morning. Shane hadn't sleep much, as he was anxiously eyeing the door. He and Mitchie packed their stuff and helped Jason to set them in the car. Nate and Caitlyn were up some minutes after them, and, just like a husband and wife, were packing each other's stuff. She giggled at the sight of his neatly set boxers and he laughed at her perfectly set nightgown… After some hours of packing up, getting ready, set everything straight, they were ready to go. But there was only one thing left. They entered the reception and saw that chairs were missing. Shane went straight to his Uncle's bureau but stopped dead in his tracks. There were people with him, especially Axel Turner. He was looking at him darkly behind his huge glasses… Shane suddenly felt uneasy and, for the first time of his life, his voice was stuck in his throat. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Something in this cabin reminded him of the beast… A very threatening and strange presence… Alex Turner's glare didn't help him out…
-Brown, we came to see you becau-
-Because you saw a huge dog?
-How did you…
All their glares turned towards Shane, who had his palms sweaty. Something was really torturing him… Mitchie was speaking with his uncle, they all spoke, but everything was a blur to him. He could only hear his heart beating furiously against his chest and feel his arm pulsing. The small bruise was burning him, and he scratched it furiously. Then, he remembered last night, when the beast tried to… To kill him… He jumped in utter fright, as a hot hand tapped his shoulder.
-You're okay, boy?
He was pale, almost livid, and sweating a lot. The voice was deep and raspy. He turned around to see Axel's brown eyes. He took his glasses off for once, eyeing him consciously, like if he wanted to remember every detail of his face. Shane snapped back to reality as Mitchie answered for him.
-Yeah, yeah… I'm… Fine.
He glanced one last time towards him, before he left, without a word. Shane was shacking a bit, feeling a strange breeze turning into a shiver running down his spine… Uncle Brown said some last words and recommendations, before letting them go. He was still a bit zoning out when they entered the car. He turned around, looking out, and saw that his uncle was arguing with Axel Turner. He didn't know how, but he guessed that, behind his dark glasses, he was looking straight at him… Mitchie put one of his arms behind her head, using it as a pillow. The rest of the day went by so fast, without realizing it… It was getting dark and they were somewhere in a mountain. Jason was playing with his cell phone, in the back with Mitchie and Shane, while Nate was driving with Caitlyn next to him. She had the map and helped him on the road. Jason wasn't bright with maps and they wouldn't let him drive, for he was always distracted with animals on the road… Shane could drive but he seemed a bit strange, so Nate drove. He didn't want the girls to because of "gentleman" things… And now, it had been hours of driving and he started to feel a bit strange, eyes stirring. Everyone in the back, except Shane, who was fully awake, was snoring loudly.
-What if we stop for a moment, Natey? You seem so tired…
Nate's eyes clouded over with thought and a second later he swerved the car off of the road and down a tiny meadow. Caitlyn swore as she regained her balance and Nate looked guilty as he carefully drew the car to a stop. The others were still asleep, and Jason's phone was beeping.
-Sorry…
-It's okay…
Nate opened his door and climbed out into the surprisingly warm night. He stared up at the cloudless sky for a long moment, noticing more stars every time he blinked. The soft breeze ran through his curly hair. He inhaled happily, his heart beating steadily. He jumped when he felt hands slide around his waist and turned to find Caitlyn lying down on the bonnet of the car.
-What?
-Come and join me?
Caitlyn gestured to the space behind her and Nate grinned, darting around to the back of the car and pulling out two sandwiches from the picnic rug and not-so-romantic plastic bag of food that he had thought to bring. His officially girlfriend – he still couldn't believe that he could call her that – helped him lay the rug across the metal exterior of the car and they silently climbed on together. Caitlyn curled into Nate's arms as soon as his head hit the car and he chuckled at her eagerness, pulling her closer to him. They lay for a long time, happy to be with each other and at peace with the world. The stars created the perfect background for the pair. They were looking at the stars in a complete silence, enjoying the perfect and still night. After almost an hour of comfortable silence, a streak of light across the sky caught their attention. Both of them saw it, both of them had to blink several times to get rid of the mark on their vision and they both turned to face each other. A shooting star!
-You've got to make a wish, baby…
Nate said that softly. Caitlyn smiled, holding his arm tightly. She carefully thought about a wish for a minute, and smiled brightly. Nate smiled too, looking in her eyes.
-I made one…
-I made one too…
Their faces were only inches from each other's, and they were getting closer. Their lips almost touched, but they jumped in fright as Jason smashed his door, getting out and stretching from the long ride… They got red as his brother walked away, not even noticing them, half asleep, getting in front of a tree to pee. They look at each other in confusion. Mitchie soon got out, yawning, as did Shane. He hummed the fresh yet quite warm air.
-Ah, what could be better? Just us and-
-And the rain.
Caitlyn pointed to the grey clouds that were rapidly forming on the horizon and both she and Nate groaned in unison. Jason came back, a bit more awake, but still a bit strange.
-You've got to be kidding me.
Shane growled in disappointment. When no almighty voice from the heavens declared a joke, Nate sighed, sitting up slowly.
-Come on, everyone. We don't want to get caught in the rain. There are our packages in the back.
They all gathered up the few things that they had taken outside of the vehicle with them and threw them back inside. Caitlyn loved when Nate was playing the president. He could seem a bit strange when it comes to emotions, like love, but he is very orderly. Drops of rain started to fall slowly. He told the girls to stay inside, as he and his brothers are setting their tents. The girls giggled as Jason tried to get in, whimpering but Shane and Nate got him out.
-How did it reach us that fast?
Caitlyn asked Mitchie, straining to look for clouds. Nate started to set the tents up as Shane handed him the tools and Jason unpacked the stuff. The rain was falling heavily ten minutes later as they had just finished the first one.
-We have to go faster!
According to Nate's plan, Shane was helping Jason to set a tent as Nate was setting one on his own. The girls were giggling as Shane fell on Jason, because of the tent, whereas Nate was almost done with his. After what seemed like hours to them, everything was set. Jason ran towards the car, ready to open the doors. Nate knocked softly on the window.
-We're gonna have to run!
Caitlyn and Mitchie failed to find an umbrella in the pile behind them.
-You stay dry!
Nate was pointing his brother's jackets and the tents. He really acts like a president sometimes.
-You run with them to the tents and I'll lock up the car and stuff.
-No, Nate, that's hardly fair. Why should you get wet?
Caitlyn seemed a bit shocked by him. He had diabetes, was always looking for the others' good, and had a golden heart. His hair wasn't curly anymore because of the rain, but rather sticky and all soaked. Even a small lock had formed on his forehead, dripping from the pouring rain.
-Because I'm your boyfriend and you're my girlfriend and I have the responsibility of taking care of you now.
Touched by his words, Caitlyn leaned across to give Nate a gently kiss and whispering him some warm-hearted words.
-You're the best boyfriend ever, did you know that?
-I think you've told me a few times…
He whispered back smugly.
-Okay, now go. I'll meet you inside.
Still laughing, Caitlyn opened the door and gave an unnaturally girly scream as a torrent of water fell onto her lap. She slipped out of the car and slammed the door behind Mitchie. Jason and Shane gave them their jackets, holding them protectively. Shane and Mitchie jumped inside the first tent, the yellow one, as Jason and Caitlyn jumped in the second one, red. Thunder started to roar, and the rain was pouring more violently. The night sky was illuminated from the thunder, and everything turned from dark to white. Jason screamed in fright as Nate's head came in the tent. He eyed him in boredom, and his hair was all straight and… Worse than just wet. He handed his hand towards his brother, who was looking at him quizzically.
-You forgot to give me the keys!
He jumped as his brother's voice roared with the coming tempest. He threw it at him, and they both watched him run back to the car. He quickly put the keys in the hole and locked all doors. He ran back in his tent, welcomed by Caitlyn who kissed his cheek tenderly. He giggled a bit as she handed him a towel. He tried to dry himself but bumped into Jason who had big eyes.
-What are you doing here?
-You know I'm scared…
Caitlyn giggled softly at her "brother"'s childish expression. Nate pointed him the next tent, the green one. He whimpered getting up. He hesitated before getting out in the rain to go less than a meter away.
-If I die from a heart attack, it'll be all because of my uncaring little brother!
Nate laughed in unison with Caitlyn.
-As you wish, big bro'!
-Hey! What are you doing?
-Nothing, go to sleep!
They laughed as they heard Shane and Mitchie groaning, trying to sleep and as they heard Jason whimpering. He took off his shirt, trying to dry himself up. He did for his arms, stomach, legs but not for his back… He softly turned towards Caitlyn, a bit red, rather pink. She was brushing her hair and her back was facing him. He coughed a bit, getting her attention.
-Hum… Caity'? Can you give me a hand for… My back?
She turned around, facing him and couldn't help but stare. Nate and Caitlyn were both feeling their cheeks burning them, and blood rushing to their face. She was the most beautiful girl in the world for him, and he was the most handsome boy in the world for her. She nodded silently, climbing on his mattress. He slightly turned around, handing her the towel.
-Thanks…
-You're welcome…
She was rubbing his back softly, in slow circles, feeling him shacking a bit. She rubbed slower but he was still shacking. She could hear him breathing hard.
-Are you alright? You're shacking…
He didn't respond, and she faintly hear him groan, but a groan she has never heard before. When she was finished with drying his back, she gently tapped his shoulder. She handed him the towel. They were lost in each other's eyes. Their faces were getting closer as they both started breathing hard. They blushed as their lips met in a tender and soft kiss. He gently laid her on his mattress, helping her with her clothes, as she did the same for him. He reached out for a small bag in his Jeans, taking it out slowly. He kissed her again, but a bit more vigorously but still with an overwhelming love… Outside, the storm was raging, shacking violently the trees. The sound of the wind and the thunder was the only audible thing. They felt great, as they have never ever been. They were in their own world. In the other tent, Mitchie was in Shane's arms, sleeping peacefully. On the other hand, he wasn't asleep. He had a nightmare about that beast that tried to kill him and he was anxiously watching the plastic door. He was shacking a bit at each roar from the thunder, but struggled to not wake his girlfriend up. He could sometimes see the beast's shadow on the door and shut his eyes tight. He tried to fight his own fears but his veins were burning him and his small bruise was icy cold. He felt strange; some kind of state where you can't quite tell the difference between the real and the wrong. He tried to remain calm but every single glorious roar from the storm was breaking his soul in pieces. He closed his eyes, breathing hard, burying his head in the crook of Mitchie's neck. Jason was sleeping like a baby, cuddling his teddy bear in his dream. He fell fast asleep and didn't even notice the raging storm…
Caitlyn felt Nate bent down to gently kiss her temple. He put his blanket on them. They were sweating, panting and out of breath. He gently pulled her closer to him, kissing her softly on her lips. He threw the bag and the plastic away, getting a bit redder than he already is. It didn't last long, it wasn't as great as what they expected, but it would always be memorable to them. She felt sore but she was ready and that was what mattered to her. They both felt strange, as it was all brand new to them, but it was somehow a good strange, even though they seemed more vulnerable and shy to each other.
-I love you, Caitlyn.
He whispered that so softly in a whisper that she was the only one that could hear, and not the wind or the thunder. Caitlyn shifted slightly, resting her head on Nate's shoulder. They were wet now but the feeling of their skin against each other's was something just incredible. Their breaths mixed and created one new, like if they were created a perfect world for them.
-I love you too.
Caitlyn stared into his deep chocolate eyes, melting in delight, just like him but about her eyes. He took his left hand from under the covers, shaking a bit, not from fear, but from joy. He took off his purity ring, looking at it one last time and handed it to her. She took it, speechless, mouth half open.
-I… You… Hum…
He grinned in bliss, putting his ring on her finger, just like if they were getting married. She smiled a big bright smile too, squeezing him tightly. They shared another kiss, both overwhelmed by utter joy.
-You're mine now…
-And you're mine too…
They stayed silent, enjoying each other's presence, looking deep into each other's eyes.
-My wish came true.
She spoke softly, breaking the peaceful. Nate looked down at her, passion burning in his eyes.
-We're here, together, happily. Our parents aren't here to glare at us, or each other, there aren't any crazy photographers and Shane and Mitchie aren't here to wind us up. As much as I love them, they can get annoying sometimes.
-I know what you mean.
Nate grinned. He was happy. Even blissful.
-Do you think you could make wishes more often?
-I don't know… Do you want me to?
-If they make me half as happy as I am now, then I wouldn't mind. Although, let's hope this one doesn't end too soon. I'm having the time of my life here, with my girlfriend in my arms…
They kissed one last time before falling asleep. She fell asleep the first, and Nate was enjoying looking down at her angelic sleeping face. Then, it hit him. What they have just done. The most sacred thing on earth. They did it. But he didn't really mind, they both were ready, they were "prepared", in love and it didn't feel wrong at all but on the contrary, it felt great. But there was something that was still bothering him… He wasn't like the other boys who were told many things about it. In fact, he knew little things about it. That's why the small amount of blood on his mattress was bothering him. But still, they were blissful, young and in love. What could be worse next? They were the world, and that's what mattered.
