Lost

Betrayed Pt.2

            On my way back to where I left Deacon, I start to hear voices. Walking slowly to keep quiet, I sneak back over and find a man and a woman talking to Deacon.

            There’s something about them I don’t like, they give me a bad feeling. Like that other guy did before he abducted me.

            Sneaking behind a tree as quietly as I can, I try to listen to what they’re talking about.

            “Don’t give us that, Deacon. If you hadn’t found a girl to bring back to our elders you wouldn’t be here.”

            “Alright, so I may have thought I found someone but I was wrong. She’s not the right kind of person for the elders.”

            “Any woman is the right kind of person for the elders. It’s not like they’re going to keep her, they need a sacrifice. You know that.”

            My breath catches in my throat and my heart drops to my stomach. The sting of betrayal hurts so much worse when it comes from someone who knows you’ve been lied to and hurt and still does the same.

            “I know, but I can’t. She’s been through enough, she doesn’t deserve that. She’s a beautiful, amazing, strong woman. She deserves better.”

            “You’re just saying that because she’s listening, aren’t you?” she asks with an evil smirk.

            “No, what-“ spinning around, he sees me and his face is filled with surprise and shame.

            Good. He should be ashamed.

            Turning around, I run as fast as I can away from him and his twisted friends. Expecting him to chase after me so he doesn’t go to the Elders empty handed, I’m surprised and relieved when he stays right where he is.

            I can’t believe I trusted another lying, disgusting shifter. Are they all like that? No… they can’t be. My father wouldn’t have been friends with someone like that and he wouldn’t let someone like that be part of his pack. There has to be some decent shifters somewhere.

            After a few hours, I take a break and sit down. Going through my bag, I make note of everything I have and what I’m going to need soon.

            Four bottles full of water, several slices of bread, a few slim jims, a few granola bars and one apple. I should be okay for a few days. Now I just have to figure out where I am and what direction to go in.

            Taking my phone out of my back pocket hoping I’ll have even the smallest signal so I can bring up a map, I find my phone dead. Unable to charge my battery, I’m totally f****d.

            If Deacon was telling the truth at all, we’re close to Virginia. If I just keep going in the direction we were headed, maybe I’ll eventually get there. I hope.

            Looking to the sky, based on where the sun is it’s past midday.

            So if the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, since the sun is going that way, I should go the opposite. Right? Yeah… I got this.

            After walking for hours, I make camp so I don’t get turned around walking at night. It’s getting a little cold out with the wind, so I wear my jacket to bed with the hood covering my head. I should’ve gotten a lighter when I was in Medora in case something like this happened, but how was I supposed to know I’d get kidn*pped and then saved and then betrayed again? Gods, what the f**k is my life?

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            Grabbing a granola bar from my bag, I eat it while I walk. After a few hours, my bladder feels like it’s gonna explode. I hate this part of camping. I think, irritated at everything right now. Grabbing tissues from my bag, I go to do my business, hating my life at this moment.

            At least these tissues are biodegradable. I think to myself sarcastically.

            Hours have passed of walking in silence and I’m sweaty and sticky and absolutely bored, I have to push myself to keep walking. After another hour or two goes by, I find a river off to my right. Dropping my bag by a tree, I strip as I walk excitedly into the river. Washing all the grime and sweat from my body, sitting in the nice cool water feels amazing. For a while I just lay there in the water and relax.

            On the bright side of all of this, I’m definitely gonna get a tan.

            Reluctantly getting out of the river, I put on a fresh pair of clothes and keep walking, wanting to make a little more progress before it gets dark in a few hours.

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            It’s been three days of walking and I finally see a town off in the distance which makes me pick up my pace.

            When I walk into town, I check out the stores around and see Bent Mountain Bistro. Figuring I could use a drink and some real food I head over and sit at the bar.

            “What would you like, miss?” the woman behind the bar asks.

            “Uh, I’ll just have a glass of water. What would you recommend to eat?”

            “Well that depends, are you looking for something light or something a little more hearty?”

            “Something light, please.”

            “In that case, I’d recommend the Heirloom BLT.” She says with a smile.

            “Perfect, thanks.” I nod, smiling back.

            While I eat, I can’t help but think about everything that’s happened. The feeling of betrayal still stings, I really liked Deacon. I felt like we connected in a way. Not just because he was really handsome, it was how he acted. He was goofy and funny but also acted like he cared and was really kind. Now I know it was all a ruse, but part of me wants to believe some of it was real at least.

            After I’m done with my meal, she comes and asks me if I’d like anything else.

            “Could I get a scotch please?”

            “Do you have ID?”

            “Oh. Uh, no. I don’t have an ID.” I say sheepishly, embarrassed at not having something so mundane, something everyone had.

            “Don’t worry about it, Sue. Get her a scotch. I’ll have one too, thanks.” A man says from beside me as he pulls the stool out next to mine and sits.

            “Hey, I’m Asher. What brings you to our small town?” he asks kindly, but I can see the mild suspicion in his eyes.

            “I, uh, I’m just passing through. I’m looking for an old family friend somewhere in Virginia. It’s a long story how I ended up here, but I’m just passing through.”

            “It’s not common for a shifter, especially a female shifter, to be wandering on her own. So forgive my skepticism, but that doesn’t sound very likely.”

            Surprised that he’s talking about shifters so openly and that he knows I’m one, I just stare at him openmouthed for a second trying to process what’s happening.

            “Why are you talking about shifters so openly, and how’d you know I was one?” I ask in a hushed tone.

            “Who are you?”

            His question, why that’s relevant, confuses me. But there’s no reason for me to lie, no one knows who I am anyway.

            “Uh, I’m Bailey Midnight. Why?”

            “Get out.” He quickly stands, causing his stool to fall to the ground and points toward the door. The whole room goes silent and everyone stares at us.

            “But, why? What did I do?” I ask, while he’s dragging me by my elbow out of the restaurant. When we get outside, I rip my arm out of his grasp fury now consuming me.

            “What the hell do you think you’re doing? I didn’t do anything wrong, you don’t just treat people like that!” I scream at him, rage bleeding from my eyes.

            “You’re a liar, and liars aren’t welcome in my town.” He says sternly, looking down at me directly into my eyes.

            “How are you going to tell me that I’m a liar. I barely said anything to you and none of it was a damn lie!”

            “Bailey Midnight? Bailey Midnight and her parents are dead! If you’re lying about who you are, you’re lying about other things too.”

            Stopping me dead in my tracks, I just replay his words over and over again.

            “Did you know my parents?” my voice comes out smaller than I intended, but I don’t care I just want him to answer.

            “Stop! I’m not going to let this charade go on for another minute. Leave.”

            Before I can say anything else, another man walks up. Older than Asher, but very similar in appearance.

            “Wait. Come talk to me, child.” He says, motioning for me to come forward. As I walk toward him, Asher tries to stop me.

            “Father, don’t worry about this. It’ll just bring up painful memories.” He says as he grabs my elbow again, keeping me from moving.