I Got You ~ C.B

FIVE

We end up heading back into town again to get some supply's and eat up, returning when it's dark out. Without any lights on, its pitch black. And cold, and foggy. The stuff the Blair Witch Project was born of. When we get back to the tent, arms filled with supplies, Sam thinks he sees something move in the distance. An animal or a figure or something. I don't think I believe him. He's convincing himself out of paranoia. I'm just pretending this is a simple camping trip again. Nothing I haven't done before. That being said, I've been internally praying prayers of protection every time something concerns me. It's when Colby agrees though that I think that maybe I should believe them a little more. Like what if they saw something, I didn't believe it, and walk right into the danger. But I'll still give it the benefit of the doubt. We settle down again rugged up in the warm tent, just hanging out. This is where Jake speaks up, claiming
"If there was a moment, that I'd ever kiss a guy, it would be right here with you guys."
I chuckle, stating
"Damn, I feel like I'm intruding in a romantic get away."
I laugh at a thought that arises, illustrating
"How weird must this look. A group of guys and one chick sharing a tiny tent in the middle of nowhere. With a camera."
They crack up. Sam agreeing
"It does look a little sketch."
I lay down, my head on Colby's lap as he films. Sam then brings up the idea of a ritual fire, which Corey isn't a fan of given that the only reason he came is because they promised no rituals or seances or ouija boards. I help the boys convince him
"It's a cleansing ritual. It gets rid of bad energies or anything bad attached to you. It's the exact opposite of the ouija board. It's safe, trust me. It could actually do you some good."
Corey ends up getting a no-named phone call- again. I recognise everything around that from previous videos. Everyone freaks out.
"No way!"
And the funniest thing is- he shouldn't have any service. I don't, I know Sam doesn't either. He doesn't answer, but admits he's been getting them even just at home. I tell him
"Something is definitely following you dude."
The first bug of the night in our tent is found, to which I freak out at. Jake punches the crap out of it. I think he only made it mad. And then there's a sound from outside- dead ass, there's someone out side. I grab Colby's hand instinctively, and he squeezes it gently before doing what Jake says and unzipping the tent to inspect what's outside. Then there's a noise, a rock or branch, freaking us out more. Then the debate begins- go out and look, or sit hidden in the tent like sitting ducks. Then there's another call.
"This is a prank."
I decree. One of their friends followed us here and is prank calling Corey. It can't be real. We end up getting out the tent, looking around and finding nothing. It's becoming obvious I'm sticking to Colby's side like glue. I gotta chill. Instead stepping away for him and standing on my own next to the tent. Jake is still inside, poking his head out to tell us
"I don't want to get out the tent."
I retort
"You're just comfortable and want to sleep."
He nods
"You know me well, Rey."
Each of us heard different things. Corey reckons he heard footsteps rustling on the ground of dead leaves, Colby reckons there was a falling acorn, Sam and I thought it was a rock- but Jake claims her heard a car and a door close. Corey gets another call, and answers it this time. There's a voice, but it sounds broken and distant and distorted. Crackling through the mic. It's unclear. We can't make out any words. What we can pick up on though, sounds like a scream. He hangs up, but they call back right away. We answer again, and this time, there's no sound. Not even when Sam speaks through the line. Corey freaks out, and begins walking away, to look for someone messing with us I think. I rush after him, denying
"Corey no! You aren't going off alone. Are you dumb? Don't dude. Seriously."
Sam and Colby follow on my heels, saying things along the same lines. We need to chill him out. We can't split up. We remind ourselves to stay calm, that it's in our heads, and head back to Jake and the tent.
We proceed with the fire thing. Boy Scout Colby starting up the fire without fuss. It's becomes chill again, each of us hanging out around the fire in fold out chairs. Relaxing, almost. The fact it's a known witches forest always hanging around my foremost thoughts. I sit beside Colby, legs strung over his lap. He leans closer to me, asking
"Remember the last time we sat around a fire together?"
I hum at the memory, allowing myself to relive it for a moment.

Previous ~ Four Years

We exchanged numbers after dinner, before we went our separate ways. I knew I needed to get back to Diana. But she's still asleep when I get back. Is still asleep an hour later. It becomes apparent to me she's going to sleep for the rest of the night too. Wow. So I bite the bullet and text first, something I've never actually cared about doing first.

Oh my God
Is this THE Colby Brock?!

He replies about seven minutes later

Changing number as we speak.

I ask him

Sorry to be THAT girl but you wouldn't happen to want to play tour guide for me would you?? :))

More time with the Thunder from Down Under? I'm in.
What are you doing rn? :)

Nothing, hence the begging hehe

You're staying at Motel 6 right? I'm on my way.
Bring a jacket :)

Thank youu :))

He rocks up about an hour later, texting me when he's outside. I leave Diana a note on the hotel-provided notepad and head out to meet him. He smells of campfire. I sniff him
"Don't tell me you're an arsonist?"
He chuckles, hugging me
"Nope. But my friend is throwing a beach party. Sound good?"
I grin
"Amazing."
Taking off, I realise
"You were already there huh? Dude you didn't have to come all the way out."
He shrugs
"I wanted to. Believe it or not I actually enjoy your company."
I mock
"Awe."
He chuckles as I sit back in the passenger seat, turning up whatever song is bluetoothing through from his phone. Dancin, Aaron Smith. I drop my head black, letting the music wash over me
"I love this song."
We drive through LA, the lights of the city blurring the open windows, wind whipping at my hair, music loud. I laugh, my hand dancing over the wind out my window as I watch the city go by. It's magical. It's the moment I know, I'm home. This is where I'm meant to be. I can't deny the feeling of belonging. It's then that I feel it, Colby's hand take mine, warm against the chill of my skin, rested on my crossed legs. I look to his hand, and over to him, examining his profile as he watches the road. I was wrong before, saying I knew I was at home just then, I didn't know it then. I know it now. It isn't just LA. It's him. And any normal person would say it's dumb of me to believe after only knowing him for mere hours. But I'm not normal. Im a dreamer. A free spirit. Impatient. I want everything to make my life complete right now. And I think I just found it.

We pull up at a beach in Malibu Colby tells me is called Leo Carrillo. I can already see the party down the beach. It isn't small. Colby laughs, and I turn to face him
"What?"
He smiles
"You look petrified."
I shake my head, denying
"I'm not petrified. Shocked. An Australian beach bonfire is rarely this big."
Seriously, this looks like a nightclub on the beach. He takes my hand again, eyes locked on mine as he says in almost a promise
"You're going to be fine. Trust me. These people are going to adore you."
I raise an eyebrow at him
"You can't know that."
He tells me
"I can."
"How?"
"Because they're like me. And I adore you."
A smile takes over my face, and we giggle. He states
"Let's roll."