𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐲𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 ~ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐬

Sarah, John B, and I sat together in the hut. John B's words pierced the silence. "I saw you guys talking to your dad," He said.

"He says he's just here to help but...I don't trust him," Sarah responded.

John B's gazed shifted from us to his father. "Yeah, um...my dad doesn't necessarily trust you guys either, so..." He trailed off.

"Yeah, we figured that one out," I chimed in.

"I don't blame him," Sarah said. "Not after what our dad did to him,"

"We're nothing like Ward though. He has to see that, right?" I questioned.

John B shrugged. "Sometimes my dad sees what he believes,"

-

The sun sunk below the horizon, darkening the sky. Big John, Sarah, and John B drifted to sleep. I, however, laid awake in the hammock.

Ward wandered aimlessly around. Every once in awhile I would catch a glimpse of his face when he got close enough to me, he seemed to be deep in thought. The rest of the time, when his face wasn't visible, he was just a silhouette in the darkness.

My gaze lingered on the intricately woven ceiling of the small hut, listening to the sounds of nature. So many things were running through my mind.

"Having trouble sleeping?" Ward asked. Startled, I turned to find him closer than before. I shrugged in response.

He sighed, settling on the ground beside my hammock. "I don't blame you for not wanting to talk to me. Not after everything I've done. I just want you to know that I love you and that I'm sorry,"

I clenched my jaw. "So, why are you really here? To fuck us over? To take the gold for yourself?"

"I'm here to help," He insisted. "Aspyn, honey, this is dangerous. I just want to protect you and your sister,"

"We would feel more protected without you here," I retorted, rolling on my side to face away from him. "I'm trying to sleep,"

-

We awoke early the next morning and began packing our bags to make the trek up the mountain. Ward was off to the side, not engaging with John B, Big John, Sarah, or I.

"That site's a whole day's walk. We gotta get up there before moonrise. If we miss the solstice, then all of this was nothing,"  Big John said, putting two sticks of dynamite and the idol into his bag. "So, listen, girls, I'm telling you right now, if you fall behind, I ain't waiting,"

"Dad. Stop," John B said firmly.

"What? I ain't. It's a matter of fact," Big John shrugged.

I shot Big John a glare. "We'll be fine,"

John B sighed, approaching Sarah and I. "Sorry about the cranky old man,"

Sarah shrugged, not bothering to get upset about it. "It is what it is,"

As Ward approached us, Big John instantly shot to his feet. "I'm gonna go tell that son of a bitch he ain't coming,"

However, before Big John could speak, Ward beat him to him. "Hey, listen, I'm real sorry but I'm not gonna be able to make it up that mountain, not on this leg. I'd be slowing you down, that's all, so I'm just gonna hang here," He told us. "I'll tell you what, I got a flare gun. If I see Singh come through here I'll send up a flare to let you all know he's coming. It's the least I can do,"

Sarah nodded. "Thank you,"

"You're welcome," Ward replied. "Good luck,"

We then began the intense trek up the mountain. Big John led while Sarah, John B, and I trailed behind. We navigated through leaves, branches, steep hills, and wooded areas, all while Big John was yelling at us for every little thing we did.