Genre: Romance
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer : Standard disclaimers apply. The characters belong to Shalz R.
Chapter 15 : Part Five : Five Glorious Days
The morning saw Ian getting up later than usual and missing the treat he had the previous morning. He opened his eyes to see that even Evan was up and shut them again, almost in remorse, "I missed!" he mumbled.
"What?" Ian hadn't noticed that Adrian was just behind him sipping his tea. He slowly looked around, still lying down. "yeah," he thought, "where else should I hope to find you!" and gave him a dry smile, "Sunrise!" he said aloud.
"That happened ages ago. You missed it!" bantered Tyler, who was at the other end helping Sonya and had heard neither his mumbling nor Adrian's question.
Ian supported himself on his elbows and looked at him, "That was brilliant, Tyler. You amaze me everyday." and Tyler again was scotched just as giggles erupted all around him.
In the next few minutes, Ian was on the stream, buttoning down his shirt, his brow was knotted and lips pursed as he reviewed all the parts of his plan. Tyler called him to breakfast and a smile appeared on his face as he started to walk back.
After a quick breakfast, during which there had been a somewhat quiter and tense atmosphere, he out walked under the trees, while others still picked up their bags, and started to look around. Evan had asked what they would be doing and Ian had avoided the question while Sonya had been looking up expectantly at him every few minutes waiting for him to say where they were going. After he walked some distance away from others, he turned and called back for Tyler and Adrian. They had sensed something was up in Ian's mind and followed him. The girls and Evan exchanged curious looks and stood looking where the three were standing.
"What's happening?" Evan asked.
"Maybe they are planning for the day, Evan." Ashley answered, as she put his bag's loops on him.
Sonya remained quiet. "Maybe," she thought, "Ian maybe talking to Tyler and Adrian about our yesterday's talk. Maybe he's having second thoughts about going to the dense part of the woods and is discussing it with Tyler and Adrian. Maybe that's why he has been quiet!"
She hardly knew what Ian was upto.
"What's up?" Tyler asked. He was always more curious than Adrian.
"I just had to get you guys alone here. Yesterday Sonya and I were talking." he started in an excited whisper. Adrian's eyebrows slightly went up, and Ian, for a moment, felt that Adrian may have been awake last night and was now feeling that it was that he wanted to tell him and Tyler about. Adrian checked his eyebrows in an instant while Ian continued without stopping. It happened all in a second. "She saw me looking out towards west and asked if the woods there were the denser. I was I saw she was looking so mystified by the prospect of dense woods and I said I was and added that they were dangerous. She became so interested and asked if we could go there and I just played along and said its dangerous but we could."
"What did you that for?" Adrian asked.
"We're just playing a game!' Ian asnwered impatiently.
"C'mon now, if you don't want to play, just keep shut!" Tyler said, his arms flying all around in his excitement. Adrian kept quiet. More than just a game was on his mind. He was seeing Ian truly in his element and just smiled and nodded.
"So what are we going to do?" Tyler asked.
"Well, you remember that slimy little pond we found last time, the hard way!" Ian explained, a playful smile on his lips and mischievous gleam in his eyes. Tyler's eyes became big and Adrian looked up and slowly breathed out to avoid laughing and being seen by the group. Tyler, however, could hardly suppress his grin getting wider all the time.
"I'll tell them there are crocodiles or something there and take them though carefully."
"You can't do that! Evan is there too. What if he gets out of control?" Adrian suddenly became serious. Tyler looked like he would strangle Adrian, "You will spoil all the fun!"
"He won't. I'll do everything. You just have to nod or keep quiet. If I see a single smile coming up from either of you, I'll throw you in personally. Understand?" he asked.
"I think I'll just ask Ashley to pack in extra medicines." Adrian said thoughtfully and turned to go.
"Nooooo!' Ian and Tyler panicked and pulled him back.
"Are you mad?" Tyler exclaimed. "They will become suspicious!" Ian couldn't believe Adrian could be so stupid.
"But they are going to know that we going in to the so-called dangerous part! So few medicines along will only hype your suspense." Adrian justified.
Ian and Tyler exchnaged a thoughful look, "OK" they chorused.
They walked back and Ian began solemnly, "Campers, I've decided for some real adventure for today." He saw Sonya smile as excitement crept back in her eyes. He fought to conceal his own smile. "After discussing with Tyler and Adrian we have planned that we will go to the denser part of the woods. It is probably the most dense. And dangerous. You have to be extra careful. Very quiet and totally alert. Alert of every sound and movement that happens around us. Are we ready?"
There was no response. Evan stood with his breath held in which he had forgotten to let go. "You have something to say, Evan?" Ian asked him. Evan just slowly breathed out but his eyes remained wide and blank.
"So we'll move." Ian turned and finally allowed himself to smile. His announcment had just had the desired effect on everyone.
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