Wish You Were Here

6

As Cal had warned, the lights went out that evening. I didn't think I could sleep, but somehow my exhaustion took over. I curled up on the cold cement floor and tried to pretend I was at home in my warm bed. I'd wake up every few hours or so, reposition myself, and force my eyes shut. I heard Cal crying softly next to me and I reached out to her in the dark. She took my hand in hers and gave it a long squeeze.

When I awoke, I squeezed my eyes shut before opening them. I wished to myself that it had all been a nightmare. Cal had let go of my hand sometime after she had fallen asleep. Even with my eyes closed, I knew where I was. It's funny how when one of your senses diminishes, the rest seem to go into overdrive. I heard the rustling of the chains and Will's deep breaths. Cal groaned as she rolled over. I tried to stretch, but winced at my aching muscles. Between falling yesterday after Gina injected me whatever that was and sleeping on the solid, hard floor, my body screamed from head to toe.

Tension set into my neck and I rubbed it with my hand, hoping to loosen up. I gave up when I realized it was no use. No one in their right mind could relax in a dungeon like that. Grant was asleep sitting up, propped up against the wall. I heard Will snort before jerking awake, wide eyed. His breathing slowed when he remembered where he was.

The lights turned on and the four of us sat staring at one another. It felt like playing a children's game. Except nothing happened. We just sat there quietly. I was the only one who felt unending anticipation.

"Someone will come find us," I stated.

Cal looked at me. "Like who? No one knows where we are."

"But we all went away to camp, right? There has to be some information on Camp Firestone. Four campers disappeared!"

Grant stared at me. "Camp Firestone? Is that where you thought you were going? I was going to Camp Horizons."

"Camp Sunshine," Cal said.

"Camp Blue Skies," Will chimed in.

"There is no Camp Firestone or Horizons or whatever," Grant told me. "They were all made up. Fake camps."

"Okay," I shot back, "then what about your parents? Won't they call the police or something when they don't hear from you?"

"They would. But I'm guessing they are hearing from me. Let me guess, did Gina have you email your mom or dad?" Grant asked.

I paused. "Yeah," I said quietly.

"There ya go," he continued. "Now they have our email addresses and will probably send regular emails pretending to be us."

"But that's just for eight weeks. After that? When we don't fly home? They'll know something is wrong," I argued.

"That's eight weeks!" Will shouted. "How are we supposed to survive like this for eight weeks?"

"We have no choice," I told him. "Unless we can find a way out."

"That's if we make it eight weeks," Grant added. "And even then, how would anyone find us?"

I thought for a moment. "The police have ways. They find kidnapped kids or whoever. They'll find us."

"I'd like to believe that, but..." Grant said.

I looked over at Cal. She gave me a weak smile.

"Okay-" I started to say something when we heard the cabin door open and slam shut. The four of us froze, barely even breathing so we could try to hear any possible sound.

This time it sounded like more than one person's footsteps, but it was hard to tell for sure. My mouth opened to speak, but Grant raised a finger, telling me to wait.