After lunch, Indi was awaiting the rest of the group on the baseball field bleachers.
After about 2 minutes, everyone came into sight, walking from different directions. Cloe came from the main school building, Matty from the tennis courts, and Jacksen from the far end of the school.
“What do you so desperately need to show us?”
“Probably that she cAn CoMmUnIcAtE wItH dEaD pEoPlE.”
“You’re right, I can communicate with our best friend who believe it or not, is actually not dead,” Indigo said in her sassy tone. “Now, everyone get in a circle and grab hands.”
They did so after a few eye rolls.
“Now, think of the first time you each individually met him.”
In the circle, everyone’s eyes closed. The cold November air blowing in their faces, but once the connection started, everything stopped. Time stood still, the wind stopped, everything just… froze.
“Indi?”
Cloe’s eyes shot open.
The connection broke.
There was pure silence until Matty said, “So, you’re not entirely insane?”
“No, I mean I am but ya know,” Indi said sarcastically with an eye roll. “So, you guys in?”
“For what?” Cloe chimed in.
“To find Max.”
Everyone nods nervously.
Maybe they shouldn’t have nodded. Now, they were sown into a dangerous quest, and not just to find their lost friend.
Later that night, at 10 they all met up at the woods where they used to hang out. It was still technically in Cheks, but just on the edge of the small town.
They wandered through the woods discussing what they would do.
“So, wherever Max is…. why wouldn’t he just get out.”
“Maybe he’s trapped,” Cloe says as if it’s the most obvious thing.
“So won’t we get trapped?”
“No-“
“Well if Max is trapped why wouldn’t we get trapped?”
“BECAUSE MAYBE GETTING OUT ISN’T A ONE PERSON JOB!” Indigo yells causing everything and everyone to drop silent.
They nod, a little scared at Indi sudden tone, but they continue on. They weren’t sure what they were looking for, they were just following the way their feet took them.
Indi somehow knew the way they needed to go, she wasn’t sure how. She just knew.
The woods got a tiny bit more open. Matty sat down out of tiredness and they all agreed to take a quick break, little did they know they’d actually need it.
“Alright, let’s go,” Cloe says, nodding for Indi to take the lead.
After getting to her feet, however, Indigo didn’t feel a pull to any certain direction. It was just gone…. POOF!
Indi was about to say something when Jacksen beat her to it.
“Uh…. guys…?”
Everyone whipped their heads around to see the same thing.
A ladder. And old ladder hanging from the base of a large oak tree. Indi was the first to sprint over, then Cloe, Jacksen, and Matty taking a huge breathe and then following.
Indi takes a huge gasp when they get to the top.
There was as small deck of which she was standing on and it was so high it overlooked all of the forest.
And sure, the starry sky was beautiful… but that’s not what Indi was in awe over.
It was the purple and deep green portal in front of them that both amazed her and terrified her.
“What is it?” Cloe asked out of breathe while hoisting herself up, Matty and Jacksen following.
Once they were all up they all stared together.
“Who else wants to bet that’s where Max went-” Matty was cut off my the shock of Indi jumping into the purple and green swirls.
“Indi!” they all yelled.
Cloe jumped in after her.
“Wha- okay…. let’s go,” Jacksen and Matty jump in together.
With as much as they don’t know, they have no clue what’s coming.
Especially the fact the they won’t be leaving when they find Max….
