Chapter 6

It was late, around seven thirty p.m. but we still went out with our torches. We couldn't wait any longer. We entered the forest and kept shouting Peyton's name.

"Peyton! Peyton! Peyton!" Our voices filled the dense forest.

"Where could she be? We shouldn't have let her go. I'm feeling guilty." Drew looked terrified.

"Well, what should we have done? Were we to lock her up? You know Peyton, she still would have gone even if our teachers stopped her." Said Nat.

"Guys, what's happened has happened. We just need to continue looking for her." Ade pointed out. I took a deep breath. I guess he is right, I thought.

"All because of this stupid girl, now we can't sleep. I can't get my beauty sleep." Adriana continued blabbering to herself as she passed us.

I rolled my eyes and didn't say a word to her. The best answer to a fool is silence. She had been on my matter for too long. I was like, her worst enemy.

Adriana had always been popular in school, since junior year. That was when she started drafting students into her group. She took the ones that she could control easily. She is the cliche version of mean girls. Coming from a rich background, she tried to show off at every chance she got. When we were in junior year, our relationship got worse. She and I never got along well prior to that. Well, basically she never got along with most of the students. They were kind of scared of her. Our school were selected for  the annual school games in Chicago city among other schools. It was one of the biggest school programmes. Our little town of Skybay was thrilled. It was a major thing for us, to be known to the world. Everyone wanted to win, so our school put us under the immense torture of extra classes, intense tutoring, practicals, quizzes, tests and exams. A minimum of ten and a maximum of thirty schools, including the junior and senior year students took part. There were different sections. The games included gymnastics, rugby, running, for the seniors while tennis, swimming, lacrosse for the juniors.  Debates were taken in both junior and senior categories. Quizzes and spelling bee was taken for the juniors and an IQ test for the seniors. All these were done in the presence of thousands of audiences, mainly teachers, parents, family members and friends.

I remember vividly taking part in the quiz, spelling bee and debate. I prayed, read, read and read further. My mom even bought a local medicine sayibg that it would help me remember everything I learnt. My dad and I would laugh everytime we remember. Before we went to Chigago, our school divided us into different fields. For some, it was obvious where they would be put. Ryan in the lacrosse area, Nina in ballet and Joe in swimming. I was paired with Adrianna. We didn't work well together. In Chicago, amidst audiences watching, I emerged the winner in debate and quiz while I came third in the spelling bee. This made Adrianna furious.  She stomped, shouted, cried and even claimed it was unfair. That I  cheated. I was given my award in front of her and I have always known that was added to her anger was the fact that her parents even congratulated me and gave me a gift which I suppose was actually meant for her, if she had won. Also, her older sister Cassie won the debate she took part in, in senior category with distinction. I'm sure Cassie rubbed it in her face. Her sister and her had some kind of rivalry, each one thinking they were the best. Till this day, Adrianna and I are on opposing sides.

We continued looking in every hook and cranny. At last, our teachers decided that it was very late, and the best thing to do was to head back to the camp and continue our search the next day. We were very tired and anxious, so we went straight to bed without even eating.

I kept turning to the point that I thought I may have been disturbing the others. I couldn't just sleep. The weather was cool, but it was more cold because we left our room window wide open. I was too lazy to jump out of bed and close it.

I began daydreaming. Weird thoughts filled my mind on the camp. It's practically a jungle, I thought. Our rooms had no window bars. My thoughts turned to fear. I prayed silently for an animal not to jump in. Well, even if it does, it would more probably land directly on Nat. I chuckled imagining everyone running helter-shelter. Even our teachers wouldn't be of much help. All would lock their doors, I'm sure.

I laughed inwardly.

I was about to turn to my side when I noticed a movement at the window. I froze and adjusted me sight. I studied the movement and saw a figure. Peyton is back, I thought. Where on earth did that girl go to keep us worried. I pushed back my blanket and tiptoed to the window. The figure was breathing harshly and was looking straight, therefore didn't notice me. I was shocked and I screamed loudly, causing the figure to startle and look at me. Everyone in the room woke up just in time for the figure to run into the forest. Everyone came inside in a frenzy looking back and forth.

"What on earth is going on here?" Mr Cameron ordered in a stern voice.

"I-I-saw--I saw a man through the window. He was looking straight at Natalya's bed." I stammered.

"Yes. I saw him too." Nat broke in tears.

"What? Where?" Everyone started asking questions.

"There," I pointed towards the window.

Drew came towards me and sat by my side, "are you ok?" He asked. Before I could think of answering, Dan had begun laughing.

"Please. This is all so funny. Jameela, are you happy now? You have gotten the attention you wanted. Bravo. Thanks very much for waking us up in the middle of the night, in the middle of our precious sleep." Dan shouted.

I was very angry at him. How could he think I made it up? Why? What sick reason would make me do that? I felt like punching him in the face. That wouldn't be the first time either.

I began speaking angrily, "how can you say that, Daniel? I saw him."

"Oh. Now it's a him? Hmm. So let me get this straight. First you saw a figure out in the dark. Then you recognized the figure being a man right?"

Nat cut him, still crying "I also saw him. Immediately I woke up after the scream, I saw a large figure that definitely looked like a man looking at me."

"Did you recognize him?" Mrs Sana spoke kindly, clearly disturbed by this turn of events.

"No Mrs. I didn't. I've never seen this person."

"Neither have I," I said.

Mr Cameron came back inside, after going out to check. "No one's there. But we saw footprints leading to the forest. It might have been an animal.

"A huge one." Mr Alessio added.

"I would have said it was a dream, but the footprints tell a different story. Hmm. We need to add security. Might be some villagers wanting to see the new people around here. Tomorrow morning, when Sir Robert arrives, we need to talk about this and see how we can enforce security. Until then, everyone calm down and rest." Mr Cameron continued. "First, we must lock all the windows. And ensure that the doors are properly locked too. Second, if anyone hears a noise or something weird or out of the ordinary, don't check it out alone. Come to us and tell us. Don't go into the forest. If by any chance we are not around, talk to your friends and lock your doors. Only if you must, then check it out but even then, not alone. Understood?"

We all nodded our head gravely.

"Don't worry, kids. I'm sure it is nothing to worry about," Mr Cameron said. "Now go to sleep, everyone." 

We locked the windows and doors securely and went to bed. I was very scared. What is happening, I thought. First, it was Nina's dream. Second, it was Sarah telling us of her uncle's discovery at work, which we all refused to believe. Third, my mom's bad dream, which was horrifying. Fourth, the people we met telling us to be careful. Last, was Peyton missing.  And now, this guy at the window.  I just don't get it. Tomorrow, I'm gonna suggest for us to just go back. It isn't worth it. Our friend is missing. We need to inform the  authorities. It hit me like an ice block, the events of the past year. Are we in danger again?, I asked myself. I drifted to sleep after a long time.