The Dormant: The 5 Goddesses

Episode 5: Hike

~Danielle~

I woke up that morning, feeling things shifting. Something had happened at night, and Charly and Poppy weren't themselves at all. I secretly scolded myself for being a deep sleeper. ¨ What's wrong?¨ I silently worded to Poppy from across the bed.

¨She is having vivid dreams again.¨ Poppy whispered while pointing her head towards the bathroom, where Charly was taking a shower singing badly at the top of her lungs. ¨Shit, last time she started having those dreams, it was horrible.¨ I said, remembering the month or so after the fight with Sean that Charly had spent in an insomniac state rambling about voices inside of her head. I really thought I was losing a friend, no, not a friend, a sister. It was Poppy the one who talked to Charly's mom so we could get her help. ¨She is stable now, but if it gets worse, we'll need to talk to Sara.¨ Poppy stated, her face clearly worried about the shrieking girl in the bathroom. Inside I was the same amount of worry.

¨We need to take her mind off Camp North.¨ She said, thinking out loud and a small grin slowly appeared on my face as an amazing idea popped inside my brain, that was me a doer, not a thinker, and perhaps if we did something... ¨Why don't we sneak in? Show her it's just a regular village, with ordinary boring people.¨

Poppy started to no with her finger and her head while widening her eyes. ¨Well, I can see about twenty ways why that is a bad idea, ten of those involving the police.¨

I shook my head at her answer and shot back, trying to convince my redheaded friend this was the way to go. ¨No it will be alright. What's the worst that could happen?¨ I questioned her.

¨Jail.¨ She blatantly stated.

¨It won't come to that. We will be in and out before someone notices, and she is really getting hung up on that place.¨ I countered, trying to convince her. The shower sounds in the bathroom stopped, and the singing ceased.

¨Well, if we get caught, you are paying my bond.¨ She sternly said while crossing her arms and pointing her face at the ceiling.

¨Fine, let's plan it later.¨ I quietly whispered, crossing my own arms before Charly came out of the bathroom.

¨What are you two planning?¨ Charly asked while drying her hair with a towel, knowing we were scheming something. ¨Soon my little padawan, soon …¨ I said, standing up from the bed and walking back towards the bathroom. ¨…soon you'll see.¨ I entered the bathroom while I stroked my hands and looked straight at her, closing the door slowly.

We had breakfast, and as usual, after sleepovers, we were late, so we sprinted towards Charly's car. She started driving to school; her face whiter than usual, and she was deep in thought. Silence fell between the three of us. We all knew something was wrong. ¨Charly if you speak about it is better?¨ I cut through the uncomfortable silence and looked at her.

¨I don't know, since the thing with Sean. I haven't had it this bad now, I think I am seeing things, now.¨ She already knew Poppy had spoken to me. There were no secrets between us and undoubtedly not one this big. At the end of the day, we were here for each other sun or rain.

¨Would it make it easier if we went to Camp North and looked at it with your own pair of defective eyes?¨ I asked her.

¨She already promised she was paying for both our bonds if we got caught.¨ Poppy added from the backseat, and I nodded emphatically with a reassuring smile.

¨Yes, no … maybe… I don't know. I know it's all in my head, so perhaps if I do this, it's going to be for the best.¨ She answered, clearly uncomfortable about the whole ordeal. I didn't know what she was going through, but what I did know was I would do anything for it to stop, and if getting in trouble would help her, then it was a win for me.

¨Well then there's nothing else to talk about.¨ I replied as she entered the school's parking lot. ¨Operation showing Charly she has nothing to worry about has begun.¨ I gave her a big smile while making a military salute with my hand her way.

As the day progressed, I thought about a perfect plan so we could break into Camp North. When it was lunchtime, I sat down at our usual table with Poppy and Charly. Poppy had a big tray of food in front of her. Charly was expectant of what I had come up with. ¨Okay Poppy, you are going to stay the weekend at Charly's.¨ I commanded.

Poppy jumped up, not expecting my tone of voice. She raised an eyebrow and laughed. ¨Mom won't be happy I am staying at Charly's again, but I'll just pull the homework card.¨ I gave her two thumbs up, sure she would spin it to her benefit, and turned to Charlotte.

¨Charly, we need to get flashlights, and you are telling your mom you are staying at my place.¨ I continued directly at her, with the same tone as I did with Pops. ¨Aye Aye captain.¨ She said and nodded.

¨I'll wait for you guys at the end of the street at about ten p.m. on Friday. That way, we have all Friday night and can hike to Camp North. Bring comfy black clothes and….¨

¨Hey, beautiful.¨ I was rudely cut off as a good-looking blond boy stood in front of us and started speaking.

Instinctively, Poppy and I both rose, our lunches and plans forgotten to form the scariest kind of wall in front of Charly, a protective bitches that wanted the best for our friend, kind of wall, making it impossible for him to see the girl sitting behind us. ¨I just wanted to speak to her. She's my girl!¨ Sean demanded while trying to push me away.

¨Well, she doesn't want to talk to you.¨ Poppy snapped and shoved her hand on his chest.

¨And she isn't your property, so stop calling her your girl.¨ I quickly followed, standing taller and scowling up at him.

¨Why don't you fuckers let her tell me that and start minding your own business?¨ Sean sneered and shifted his head again, trying to look past me.

Charly was now standing up and tip-toeing behind me, trying to see. ¨Look, little guy.¨ I looked down my nose at the stupid guy in front of me. ¨ If she wanted to talk to you, she would have looked for you, or is that too hard to get into your pea-size brain?¨ I spatted my words, my lips in a tight line.

¨No one wants you here Sean, you are not needed. Why don't you go back from the hole you came crawling out and beat it?¨ Poppy seconded. Her arms were crossed against her chest. She flicked her wrist with a bored expression, telling him without words the little b***h gnat leech he was.

He didn't mind us and started to talk directly at Charly, who was now looking down at the floor. Jesus F-ing Christ, can this guy be more dense? Charlotte had chosen him for three years, but right now, it didn't speak well of her taste. Yes, he had an all-American jock good-looking vibe going on, but all of that was subtracted by a misogynistic worldview and a shitty personality. "Charly, you know you want to talk to me. I am here when you see that I am the best thing that has ever happened to you.¨ I rolled my eyes and didn't sit down until he stepped away.

With a final hateful look at Poppy and me, he left. I turned toward my friend and then got back to my chair. Charly had a concerned look on her face.

¨That was weird, don't you think?¨ Poppy spoke while eating a slice of pizza, deep in thought.

¨How can you eat?¨ I asked, putting my hands up. Poppy started chewing slowly, enjoying every single bite of her food while smiling.

I c****d my head to the side, squeezing my eyes at her, then looked at Charlotte. ¨Charly are you okay? You don't want to talk to him, right?¨ I questioned.

She shrugged her arms and shook her head. ¨I don't want to, never again. It is just... Umm... it's weird he now wants to talk to me after everything that happened.¨ She flapped her hands, sighed, and let it go. ¨Moving on. We have bigger things to worry about than Sean.¨ She finally said with a slight smile.

¨That's my girl!¨ I stood up. ¨So let's get everything ready.¨ Finishing my plan, and both of them nodded.

After school ended, I got back to my house and entered. ¨Mom are you here? Why haven't you picked anything up?¨ I asked while grabbing a couple of beer bottles scattered on the living room floor and coffee table. After I went to the kitchen and disposed of them, I went to her room and saw her slumped down in her bed.

Beside her on her nightstand, were numerous beer bottles and an ashtray filled with cigarette butts. ¨Wasted.¨ I whispered while shaking my head. ¨Unbelievable¨ I hissed and closed the door, trying not to make too much noise. If it weren't for Poppy and Charly, my existence would be really sad; an alcoholic mom, no dad. I was only glad I could sneak out this weekend and get away from this place. Deep down, I knew she wouldn't even care if I ever came back or not.

~Poppy~

The week went fast, and now it was finally Friday. I sat down in the last class of the day thinking about everything but AP biology. Charlotte's spiraling and if it was best to talk to her mom and not wait any longer, normally I was the careful one of the three of us. I was the one who prevented those two from getting in serious trouble, but now I didn't know if not giving her tonight would be detrimental to her mental health. Soon my thoughts went down to an empty chair in the front. I realized the ¨cult¨, as Charly liked to call them, were missing today as well. Every kid from Camp North hadn't shown up for the first week of school. I had one friend from the kids from Camp North, Michael, a super-smart but nerdy and scroungy-looking kid.

Even among his peers, he was disregarded as kind of geeky. Still, he has been my chemistry lab partner since eighth grade. Yesterday, I had chemistry, and he was a no-show. He hadn't shown up to any classes at all, and even though I wouldn't accept this out loud, those kids were weird, I had to admit. I kept thinking and found myself agreeing with Charly's line of thought and now the idea of them being a cult was at the forefront of my mind. ¨Go figure.¨ I shook my head, feeling the paranoia starting. Goddamit Poppy focus, I had a paper on hereditary and gene expression to turn in, and I was twiddling my thumbs here. Blinking, I looked to the front and tried to follow the class, but it was a waste of time. I wouldn't get anything done until we had our answers.

School week finally ended with the last ring of the bell, and after a ride with Charly, I finally arrived home. I said goodbye to Charly and Patrick as I entered my empty house and made my way to the kitchen. Both my parents were at work. They owned a natural pharmacy downtown, so I knew they wouldn't come back home, not until much later. Tulip and Galvanel Johnson had been together for more than twenty years. They didn't speak to each other anymore though, and I had a feeling that they only stayed married because of me. The moment I left they would probably divorce.

I sent a text to my mom. ¨Homework over at Charly's sleepover this weekend.¨ I typed, grabbing some orange juice from the fridge. ¨Again the whole weekend, Poppy?¨ Even though written, I could hear her disapproving voice in my head.

¨Yeah, yeah, I know, but it's only Saturday, and it's my senior year. Mom... Classes are getting harder. I wouldn't want to risk Columbia.¨ I put a little smiley face at the end of the text and press send while smirking at myself.

¨Fine, have fun then and try coming by once or twice. You just have to cross the street, you know.¨ Schoolwork has always been my forte, and I could always pull out the homework card. That was the language those two could understand better than anything. For some reason, they found learning and reading to be the greatest achievement a person could have, that they understood, that they were on the same page. So it was easy for them to agree with anything that had the school stamp on it.

I walked to my room and faced my closet, thinking black clothing. I shuffled around everything I had in there. ¨Why must I have all this girly girl stuff?¨ I thought as I rummaged over all the pink, purple t-shirts and rainbow s**t in my room. It was unreal that I didn't own a single shirt in black.

I decided on a pair of jeans, some Converse, and a gray shirt with a not-so-subtle unicorn in the front. Looking at myself in the mirror, I thought, hey, a girl has got to work with what she has while staring at the heavy-colored design. I looked quasi-good as I turned around and looked at my reflection. At least they won't be able to see my back and, damn, I had a great ass.

At night as I walked over to Charly's, a weird feeling overtook me as I crossed the street to her place. The paranoia hit me like a ton of bricks and I quickened my steps. It felt almost as if something was watching me. Shrugging the feeling off, I calmed my beating heart as I entered the house in front of mine. I don't know if it's the Charly thing, but I've felt uneasy all this week.

¨Honey I am home.¨ I screamed at the top of my lungs. Charlotte peeked out from the kitchen, holding a glass of water. Her big eyes sparkled with excitement. ¨Pops, are we really going to break in an entering?¨ She also sounded excited. This was the reason I needed to be here. If I let them both on their own they would set fire to the whole town. ¨If criminal behavior is what gets you off, you are seriously twisted.¨ I walked into the kitchen, grabbing the glass of water from her.

¨What did Sara and John say they would be?¨ I questioned her while sitting at the counter table.

¨Not much told them I was going to Danny and something about English homework, so they were okay about it. Just a little apprehensive, they told me to get in touch and call them every twelve hours.¨ She said, mimicking her father's voice, jumping on the counter next to me. ¨They are now at the movies with Patrick, and then they said they would grab some dinner afterward.¨ With a quizzical look, she stared at my shirt, shaking her head.

I smiled at her face and looked down at my T-shirt. Then asked about the douchebag elephant in the room ¨ So, Sean?¨ She jumped off the counter and took a big breath. ¨What about that asshole?¨ She asked, her arms tightly wrapped around her chest. Yeah, Sean was the catalyst for all of my friend's problems and if I heard her saying she was going to talk to him again, I would probably kidnap her. ¨Aren't you a little bit wary about him?¨ I asked, looking straight at her.

¨Not really, he is just brooding because he is not a part of my life anymore.¨ She shrugged, taking the glass from my hand and gulping the last drink of water in it. I smiled, knowing she had finally let go of that part of her life.

It broke my heart when she called me crying that night six months ago. I remembered the sudden desire to murder Sean. After calming her down, I had to run over here and finally convince her to talk with her mom. The day after she made the police report, he came over to her place as if nothing had ever happened. I could have strangled him, but Danielle beat me to it and punched him so hard she broke his nose.

We sat in her living room watching a movie in the meantime, waiting for our little escapade. I asked again. The reason the last time she had bad dreams was because of him. Perhaps he was the reason for the new ones."Really Charly, are you okay with it?¨

¨I must admit it shocked me he coming near me after everything, but yeah, I am okay. I just feel sorry for him now.¨ As soon as she said this, I let a breath out, looked at my watch, and stood.

¨Well, it's time we should get going, shall we?¨ I motioned towards the back door and waited for her to stand up and left her house.

We walked to the end of the road from Rose Cul de Sac. We started to get near the end of our street. Danielle's towering figure emerged from the other side of the road. She had a huge smile and was with her hands up, jumping up and down. The look of excitement on her face made me want to press my fingers on the bridge of my nose, this pair of assholes were going to do something crazy. I was sure about that, as I was sure that it would fall on me to get them out of it.

¨You guys are way too excited about committing a petty crime.¨ I blurted out the moment we got beside her. She looked at the shirt I was wearing and shook her head. ¨Oh Poppy, live a little.¨ Danielle said while grabbing one of my arms. ¨Dream a little.¨ Charly said, holding the other one. ¨If you two are going to start into an improv musical, I am out.¨ I tried turning back as we entered the woods behind Charlotte's house as both of them doubled down laughing.

One hour on our hike and the night was chilly and dark, the trees around us making shadows all around the forest area. I heard a sound behind us, and it made me look back with my flashlight to see nothing. ¨Weird.¨ I said.

¨What?¨ Charly asked, sounding breathless, clutching her flashlight with both hands.

¨I thought I heard something.¨ I blurted while glancing back again from where we came.

¨So in and out girls. Then we go back to Charly's.¨ Danielle said, trying to get our minds off the nightly forest sounds.

¨Yes, that is if we don't get caught.¨ I have to admit I was a bit weary and scared. I walked in front, trying to steer away from what was making the sounds.

We soon found ourselves getting near Camp North through the woods. In her excitement, Danielle quickened her step, making Charly and me almost run behind her. We started hearing howling and voices as we made our way through the foliage. We exited the forest and entered the place with well-manicured little cottages all around and a big mansion in the middle.

¨See cult.¨ Charly blurted and pointed at the big mansion in the middle of the cookie-cutter houses. ¨Oh cool, it must be a clubhouse.¨ Danielle replied, rolling her eyes at her and putting her hands up.

We walked further inside the campground and started hearing the voices coming closer. We crouched behind another building as a group stood in front of a bonfire. About two hundred men were standing around three other men. One of them was giving a speech.

¨This is the unmated night of the year bonding. ¨ He put his arms up, the raging blaze behind him gave him a distinctive aura.

¨Ha, see it's a company retreat.¨ I nudged Charly's ribs.

¨Shhh, let me hear.¨ Danielle whispered, and Charlotte slightly rubbed her side.

¨We would now solidify the pack warriors, as the great Selene asked us, and have a run in the woods.¨ He started removing his clothes, and all of our eyes began getting as big as saucers as man after man started to follow his lead and get naked.

¨Totally knew it is a cult.¨ Charly stated, pointing towards the group.

¨Shh.¨ I whispered and slapped the air in her direction, and my gaze diverted back to the men as they began removing their clothes.

All the men in this place were jacked and, as muscle after muscle was divested of clothing, we three c****d our heads to the side at the sight of their well-defined features. The main one had black hair with silky curls that ended just above his shoulders. He seemed to be the leader of the group of men.

In a trance, I swooned on my spot and waited for the main guy to speak again. As I looked at the guy at his side, he was Asian, and his hands were as big as one of my thighs. ¨The unmated females had their run, solidifying their bond with the pack. We, unmated males, run to protect the borders from our enemies. Who is with me?¨ He shouted in victory. Danielle let out a loud gasp, and everyone started to look at our hiding spot.

Danielle snapped first and said. ¨Run!¨ I grabbed Charly's hand and tugged her, but she wouldn't move. Flicking my fingers at her face, I said, ¨Charly we got to go now!¨ She shook the daze off, mumbled something, and started running behind Danielle.

We scattered like ants inside the forest. I still had Charly on my eyesight. Even though we had already lost Danielle, we kept running for at least forty minutes. I could see a clearing and just motioned it to Charly. I really needed to stop as I found myself out of breath.

We entered the clearing, and she started to pace back and forth. ¨See it's a cult, what kind of cult? I don't know, but it's a cult.¨ She was rambling away; her face looked scared.

¨Can we just calm…¨ I was about to reassure her, but then I felt a bump, then darkness.

~Charly~

We entered the woods that night, and I had a feeling something was eerie, like someone was looking at us. As we hiked, I grabbed the flashlight with both my hands like my life depended on that light source. I felt the sensation again just before we were about to cross to the village grounds.

We entered, and the village opened up into a lot of small cottages surrounding a big mansion. ¨See cult¨ I said, pointing at the massive structure, trying to find something weird about the place, but no, mostly the girls were right. It looked like a company housing area.

We sprinted around the place, looking at the houses and the different buildings. We couldn't see people around but started hearing voices at the far end of the road.

We finally saw a bonfire burning hot around it. A crowd of men stood, and three men stood facing them. One of the men stepped in the front and started speaking. We ran and hid beside a building. Soon we found ourselves watching the most perfect man give a speech to the group of men and teenage boys in front of him.

He was about twenty-one years old, and his voice thundered as he started talking. ¨We would now solidify the pack as the great Selene asked us and have a run in the woods.¨ He said his voice manly and husky, making me shudder from the start. ¨See totally a cult.¨ I felt vindicated.

Before I could make another word, I started seeing this example of a man removing his shirt. My eyes wandered over his perfect shoulders, and I felt my mouth open in thirst at his tattoo. It was getting hot in here, and I began blushing as more and more skin was revealed.

At this point, Danielle fixed my glasses, and I closed her gaping mouth. He turned around, I could see his perfect black curls. A chiseled jaw and full lips that started moving, those beautiful, inviting lips were so tempting, and his eyes. They were gray; not even the bonfire behind him could compete with the thunder color of them.

I felt a tug on my hand, but I wasn't going anywhere in my state. I started feeling lightheaded, and suddenly a voice in my head started speaking to me. ¨Catalina, you need to get out... Run!¨

¨If this is a cult, I am drinking the Kool-Aid.¨ I whispered to the voice in my ear.

¨You can drink it later, but not now. Run!¨ The voice responded, making me blink, perfect just perfect. Now was the perfect time for my crazy mind to start acting up.

Poppy snapped her fingers at my face and said, we needed to move. I just let her tug me out. My head, glancing back at the men who were starting to chase us.

As I stepped into the forest, finally, my foggy head cleared. We started running behind Danielle and getting away as fast as we could. In front of me. I could see Danielle sprinting. She was fast, faster than Poppy and me, so soon enough, I had lost sight of her.

I looked back and saw Poppy signaling me. She was out of breath, so we stopped in a clearing to catch our breaths. ¨Catalina keep running!¨ I tried to ignore the pounding voice in my head because it just cemented what I already thought. I was crazy.

I started to feel a frenzy and the crazy feelings rising. ¨See it's a cult. What kind of cult, I don't know, but it's a cult.¨ My mind couldn't wrap around it as I paced back and forth.

¨Catalina please take a breath.¨ The voice again tried to make me focus. ¨Look at Poppy.¨ I decided to follow its lead and concentrated on Poppy's eyes.

She opened her mouth and was about to assure me everything was okay. From nowhere, darkness seeped in.