Page 43 of Hide And Seek

Around me, people were nodding. Caitlin stepped forward and pressed an extra bottle of water into Olivia's hand, which she accepted with a grateful nod.

“Take care of yourselves,” Tamsin said.

“We will,” Brad said, and then they turned and headed for the gate.

We stood in a loose cluster, watching them go. Through the open gate, the road stretched out ahead of them, pale gravel cutting through dense pine before curving out of sight. They didn’t hesitate or turn back to look at us. They just kept walking.

“What now?” Wren asked.

The question wasn’t directed at anyone in particular, but most heads turned toward Rhys. He had his arms crossed, eyes still on the road, jaw set. After a moment, he dragged his gaze back to the group.

“I think we should search the camp,” he said. “Every building. Top to bottom, every room, every cupboard, every storage space we can get into.” He paused. “The walkie-talkies were all destroyed, but that doesn't mean there isn't something else here we don't know about. Maintenance staff sometimes keep old equipment around. So there might be an old radio somewhere. Or a satellite phone.” He shook his head slightly. “We don't know for sure until we actually look.”

It was a good plan. Practical and straightforward. Not only that, it gave us all something to do, which felt a hell of a lot better than standing around letting our minds run wild.

“Okay,” Jesse said, nodding. “That makes sense.”

“Before we do that, though,” Rhys went on, “I think everyone should go and grab something to defend themselves.”

A ripple moved through the group.

“Like what?” Stevie asked.

“Kitchen has knives. Ax throwing shed has a full rack. Groundskeeper's shed probably has a few tools that could do some damage if it came to it.” He looked around the group. “Pick something you're comfortable with and keep it on you at all times. Just in case.”

Twelve hours ago, advice like that might've sounded excessive. Now it just sounded like common sense. Still, I could see a potential problem with it, and judging by the looks flickering across a few faces, I wasn’t the only one thinking it.

I lifted a hand, and Rhys dipped his chin in my direction. “Alissa?”

“I’m not trying to stir up drama or freak everyone out even more,” I said, my voice coming out a little tighter than I wanted. “But we all kind of assumed last night that whoever did this isn’t one of us. And I really hope that’s true. But… what if itisone of us? Then we’re just letting them roam around right under our noses with an ax.”

A small, uneasy shift moved through the group.

“It’s not one of us,” Rhys said, shaking his head. “Why would it be?”

“Who knows? But she’s got a good point,” Jasmine said. “We don’t know for sure that it’s not one of us behind all this shit. So I’m not saying we should start pointing fingers or anything, but we’ve got to consider the implications of it, at least.”

There were several mutters of agreement, and I saw at least ten heads nodding around me.

“So what’s your suggestion, then?” Sutton asked in a snide tone. “Should we all just agree not to take anything to defend ourselves with, on the off chance that one of us is secretly apsychotic killer? Just wander around totally defenseless? Maybe even go naked?”

“Okay, okay, point taken,” Jasmine muttered, shoulders dropping. “I guess we should all grab a weapon.”

“Actually...” Rhys was still looking at me, expression thoughtful. “That raises something else.”

The group quieted again, and he dragged his gaze away from me, scanning everyone else’s faces.

“If it’s not one of us,” he said, “then whoever did this has to be close. Really close.”

A few people nodded, following his line of thinking.

“Which means they’re probably out there,” he went on, gesturing toward the woods. “Somewhere just beyond the camp. So while some of you search inside like I suggested, I want to check the surrounding woods. Look for signs of a campsite, anything that tells us someone’s been staying nearby.”

Jesse nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

Rhys scanned the group. “Anyone else want to scout the woods? The more ground we cover, the better,” he said. “We can split directions and get it done faster. But stay in pairs, for obvious reasons.”

Levi was the first to step forward. “Yeah, I’m in.”