Short Stories

Secret Games

"W-who are you?" Hattie stammers.

"I'm the reason why you're alive."

---

"Come on, guys! It's time to go!" Hattie grabs her friend, Holly's, hand and runs towards the door.

"Wait! We can't forget Bennie!" Holly lets go of Hattie's hand and runs back into the house to get her boyfriend, Bennie.

Hattie pouts by the door. "I don't get why he has to come, he's so much taller than me."

"And how does that have to do with any of this?" Bennie walks down the hall, holding Holly's hand in one hand and a bag in the other.

Hattie lets out a huff and walks out the door.

Bennie turns to Holly and chuckles. "Why does she have to come along?"

Holly smiles and stands on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Because she's never been camping before."

"Will you two sickos hurry up?!"

"We're coming, Hattie!" Holly calls. Then she turns back to Bennie. "And because I know you two get along."

Bennie rolls his eyes and sighs. "Fine, but only for you."

Holly grins. "Good, now let's go."

The both of them walk out of the house and get into Bennie's green truck that waited for them outside of the two story red house.

Hattie was already in the back seat, ear buds in her ears.

Bennie got into the driver's seat and Holly got into the passenger seat.

Bennie then turns to Hattie. "And because I'm the only one who knows where we're going."

Hattie takes out an earbud and gives him a quizzical look. "What?"

Bennie grins and Holly chuckles.

Bennie then starts the old truck, it coughing, and puts it in drive and they take off.

After half an hour, Hattie breaks the silence.

"Are we there yet?" She asks.

Holly jumps at the sudden noise, her hand breaking away from Bennie's.

She turns to shoot Hattie a glare, as Hattie holds back a laugh.

"No." Bennie replies.

Hattie nods, and looks back down at her phone, her long brown hair sweeping in front of her face.

Bennie's hand finds Holly's again, and he gives it a reassuring squeeze.

She looks at him and he smiles.

"We're almost there."

Holly smiles back. "I can't wait."

After another half hour, Bennie pulls into a vast field with a cabin.

The tall brown building contrasted against the yellow and green grass.

The mid day sun and sky making everything shine.

Holly looks out the window with excitement, but Hattie looks out with confusion.

"We're staying here? Where's the trailer?"

Holly laughs and Bennie points to the old cabin.

"There."

"There? Really?"

"Hey, we can enjoy this together. I've only been in a cabin once, but it was with way more people." Holly reassures.

"How does Bennie even know about this place?" Hattie crosses her arms.