Alright well here's the latest. Thanks so much to anyone sticking with this story. I'm truly stunned it's gotten this long. :o Anyway, this chapter is a little shorter but it's leading into some stuff and any vagueness will be explained soon. Take as you will. :)
"Okay, Farrah? I need you to triple check the cabin to make sure you packed everything."
Carrie yelled from the bathroom where she was gathering up her makeup, meds, hair dryer. Returning to the living room though she saw Farrah sitting sullenly on the bed. Petting Calvin who was sitting in her open, empty suitcase.
"Farrah! What's going on? You were supposed to be almost finished packing!"
"I pack when Nick's back.", the girl said stubbornly.
"He should be back soon."
"You say that already."
"Honey, if you're that worried you and I can go out and look for him ourselves."
"But...men with boots." Farrah shuddered as Carrie bit her lip, sat next to her on the bed.
"Hey, I understand if you're scared. But I'll be with you the whole time, and if there's any sign of trouble we'll come right back."
Carrie said. She was past the point of wanting to confront anyone she could bump into out there. Aside from Brody who would get some hell from her for taking off.
"It won't be like last time. You have my word. But if you want to stay here and wait for him to come back, I'll understand."
"No, I brave! We..we go."
Farrah said firmly as she stood up.
"Alright then, after you."
Going down the trail, glad it hadn't gotten too dark yet, with her and Farrah calling after Brody, Carrie had to adjust to calling him Nick for fear of his last name attracting attention. She half expected him to run up to them angry. Not thrilled with them yelling all over the woods in search of him.
"Nick?! NICK!", Farrah shouted, scaring some birds out of the trees in the process.
"Farrah, shh."
"But he need to hear us-"
"Trust me, if he's out here he can.", Carrie sighed.
They walked for about a half hour more, hitting almost every trail with no sign of him. Carrie knew these woods well, but even not having that luxury it was tough to immerse yourself in them enough to completely disappear. Starting to worry but not letting on, she motioned to Farrah to keep up with her. Only to see the girl dart off the trail, towards a patch of trees surrounding a stump.
"Farrah, what the... don't do that! Jesus, do you remember what happened the last time you wandered off!", Carrie scolded, feeling bad for snapping but not up for a repeat of two days ago.
"I'm sorry but look! It's Nick's!"
Farrah exclaimed, bending to pick up the compass. Taking it from her Carrie swore under her breath.
"Farrah, how did you know it was-"
"He say you give it to him. He always has it."
Tearing up, but swiping at her eyes before Farrah could realize it, Carrie bit her lip.
"Honey, it could've just fallen out of his pocket."
"No!" Farrah cried. "He say it keeps him from getting lost. Now he lost!", she sniffled. Then jumped hearing a thunder clap, right before rain started falling in sheets.
"Nick?! NICK!"
Wanting to be heard over the thunder she yelled louder and walked out from under the trees and back onto the trail. Getting drenched in the process.
"Farrah, c'mon!", Carrie yelled.
"We're going this way!"
"To the cabin?!"
"Yes! Hurry up before-"
"No! What about-"
"Farrah, we can't stay out here! C'mon!"
The rain was falling harder and she knew parts of the forest tended to flood. There was no way the two of them were about to get caught in something like that.
"NICK!", Farrah shouted once more, chin quivering before she ran to catch up to Carrie.
...
"Where..where the fuck is it..where...Carrie I lost it...I'm...I'm sorry, I lost it..."
"What the fuck is he babbling about?"
Lauder spat venomously at the man lying on the floor, concerned for something not in his pocket.
"What did you say?"
"Why's he moving all over like that? An hour ago he couldn't even move that leg!"
Frowning, Lauder watched his nephew bend down, get a better look at him.
"Fuck. He's sweating bullets. I bet he's running a fever!", he concluded standing up. Staring down his hopelessly drunk, still menacing looking uncle.
"You're high.", Lauder scoffed.
"It's worn off. Look, this is fucking crazy. Did you even know what you planned to do once you and Jake brought him here?"
"I wanted to teach him a lesson is what I wanted to do! Show him he can't go around shooting people point blank and strapping goddamn bombs to his chest!"
"So you're just going to stand by and watch his leg get more infected?"
"Hey, a little time on crutches might do him a little good.", he smirked.
"Uncle Lauder, no. This has gone on long enough."
"You think you can talk to me that way? Treat me like some brat kid? For Christ's sake. Go smoke some more of that weed you brought along and leave me the fuck alone."
Rolling his eyes Lauder maneuvered to the door.
"Where the hell are you going?!"
"Need another refill."
Watching spellbound as Lauder stumbled outside, wishing he'd nipped this thing in the bud when he saw his uncle's pal haul a former congressman into his trunk, reaching into his pocket he retrieved another joint along with his phone.
Desperate beyond belief to use one, he opted for the other and dialed, forced to leave a voicemail.
"Hey, it's me. I know it's been like fucking forever, but my uncle's on a tear and he's done something. Something you need to know about. I can't get into it over the phone, but...just get in your car and get to Bear Lake as soon as you get this. If you can't get away or your mom gets fucking bent about it, make an excuse and get here anyway. Trust me. It's fucking serious, D. Bye.", Zander sighed before hanging up.