Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original Higher Ground characters. Please don't sue. (I don't have any money, so there wouldn't even be a point…)
By the time the Cliffhangers got to their designated site, the sun was high in the sky. There was a cool breeze and the late autumn air was crisp. Shelby recognized the site far too well. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice Scott standing behind her.
"Figures that Peter would choose this site, huh?" he asked quietly, glancing around the site that filled his heart with guilt.
"I was so mad at you. I hated you because you were making me hate myself." Selby stared at her old solo site.
"I'm still sorry, you know." Scott said quietly. Shelby smiled slightly and turned to look at the tall teenager who was standing behind her.
"I still can't believe you came to my site."
"I don't think anyone did. They were so mad at me for 'interrupting your solo'. Daisy would have killed me if something had happened to you." Scott paused. "I would have killed myself."
"No. You were too wrapped up in your own problems. Too confused to realize that we all have secrets. We all have regrets…we just have to be strong enough to admit it."
"Or honest enough." Daisy added, walking up to her best friend. "So, are you two ready for this fun and exciting quest?" Daisy asked.
"Dais, where's the fun and excitement?" Ezra asked from a few feet away where he was putting up his tent.
"Oh but Ezra, it's everywhere! Can't you see our happiness and glee?" Daisy asked with dry sarcasm. Ezra chuckled to himself.
"Alright guys, lunch is in ten minutes! Get your tent set up and come sit around the fire when you're ready to eat!" Peter exclaimed excitedly, his stomach grumbling with hunger.
"It's about time! I'm starving!" Scott said as he helped Auggie with his tent.
"I'm with you on that one meat!" Auggie agreed.
Ten minutes later the Cliffhangers sat down around the fire for a filling lunch of hotdogs and soup. The conversation was light as the teenagers tried to disguise the pain that seemed to have permanently stained their hearts. As the group joked about the food quality it was quite obvious to Peter what they were trying to do. What, he realized suddenly, they always did.
Once the dishes were washed, the Cliffhangers sat patiently waiting for Peter's instructions. To their amazement, none came.
"Since you already have your tasks, I have one thing to say before I leave you to accomplish the sacred duties that are inscribed on the papers I gave you earlier. I don't really have much planned for you to do on this quest, so that you may have as much time as needed to accomplish your tasks. I leave you with these words: Ignoring the pain will only make it stronger."
"What makes you think we're in pain?" Chase asked.
"If only you had a mirror…" Daisy replied in her usual mysterious way. Peter smirked at Daisy's comment, then turned and walked away. He couldn't stay any longer or they would see the truth: the eyes are the window to your soul.
* * * * *
Ezra sat by the water's edge, staring at his reflection. It had been such a long time since he had been able to look himself in the eye the way he was at the moment. What was it that had scared him about doing so in the past? Maybe it was the anger that lay still and barely noticeable in the shadows of his soul. Why can't my parents just admit that it was my fault? He wondered silently to himself. To him, it was obvious that it was his fault his parents had divorced. There was no doubt in his mind. He had completely ruled out any other possibility.
Glancing over his shoulder at the site that lay behind him, Ezra couldn't help notice Shelby sitting by the fire with Scott. They look happy, Ezra thought to himself jealously. It wasn't that he wasn't happy for them; it was that when he watched them, he felt the empty feeling in his heart growing. How he longed to be loved. Sighing, he looked back at the water. Who am I kidding? He laughed bitterly to himself. She'll never love me. Not as more than a friend. Not the way I love her. Ezra thought sadly about the one person he had ever really loved. Daisy.
A few minutes later, Ezra sensed a presence behind him. He turned to see Shelby standing quietly in the sunlight.
"Want to sit down?" Ezra asked gently. Silently Shelby took a seat next to him. "I thought you were spending quality time with Scott." Ezra continued.
"I thought you looked lonely." Shelby replied.
"I guess you could say that."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"Probably not any more than you want to talk about what's going through your head right now."
"True, but Peter's right. If we ignore the pain, it'll only get worse. It'll hurt more and I don't know how much more pain I can handle." Shelby glanced at Ezra. When he didn't reply, she continued. "I thought that coming back to Horizon would make everything better. That suddenly all my problems, all the pain, would just…disappear."
"Let me guess. You were wrong?" Ezra asked, leading her to continue.
"You can say that again. It feels like I've been swimming in really cold water, for a really long time, and I'm losing energy. I'm drowning, and I don't know what to do. There's nothing to keep me floating, nothing to keep me alive, you know?" I just…don't know what to do." Shelby glanced at her friend for guidance.
"Grab the lifeline, and hold on tight."
"I don't think there is a lifeline."
"There are lots them. We just didn't know you needed one." Ezra smiled at Shelby, and very gently wiped away the tear that was rolling slowly down her cheek. Silently he hugged her, and whispered quietly into her ear. "It'll be ok. Don't worry Shel. We're all here, no matter what. You just let us know you need us, and we'll be there in an instant."
"Thanks." Shelby whispered back as they both sat quietly, watching waves ripple across the water.
"Your welcome." Ezra replied simply.
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These next few chapters are gonna be pretty short because I'm only putting one or possibly two people's tasks into one chapter. Anyway, I hope you guys are liking this, and PLEASE REVIEW!!!! The mre reviews I get, the sooner I post another chapter!!! Thanks, JEN