Chasing Shadows

Part Two ~ Chapter One

Amy:

I guess I found it hard to appreciate the beauty of the first snowfall for the year when I spent it pulling on my boots, sliding on my gloves, and trekking through the woods. Blindly, I stumbled on through snowy branches with slush beneath my feet until I made it Matt’s cabin. I checked my watch, 5:00. The coast was clear; I figured he would not have been back from dinner.

            I used all my strength to push open the window from the outside. Despite my efforts, the ice forming on the frosted glass worked against me and I realized my plan was failing. I tried one more time, but to no avail. The window to get inside would not budge. So there I stood, in the middle of the trees with snow swirling down all around me and memories clouding my mind. Memories of the days when catching snowflakes on my tongue were the most exciting thing in the world. What I would do to go back to those glory days. What I would give to get it all back.

            How did I end up here? It was Matt’s fault, as usual. I knew something strange was going on the minute I saw him this morning. He had that look on his face, the look he gets when something bad happens. The day after Ethan was kidnapped, when Kathryn died, when Mr. Grey “died,” when Tim died, it was that sort of look. Part of me assumed he would tell us right away what was going on. But when he didn’t mention it all of breakfast, I guess I should have known better.

            It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Matt. I was truly worried for him. This was why I followed him after breakfast. I caught sight of him with Ethan, his voice in a hushed whisper as he shook a piece of paper in his hand. No words were audible, but the look on both of their faces mimicked the type of news that lay on that note.

            And that explains what I was trying to find as I stood outside a locked window behind Matt’s cabin. I stood on my tiptoes and wiped away the mist with the sleeve of my jacket. I peered in and eyed the note, peeking out from the pillowcase of Matt’s pillow. That was always his typical place to hide anything important. Old habits die hard, I guess.

            It then hit me that I should try to open the front door. I guess it had never occurred to me that it might actually be unlocked, that would be too easy. Looking around to make sure nobody was watching, I snuck to the front and turned the knob slowly. It clicked and opened, giving way to a dimly lit cabin. I quickly shut it behind me and made my way over to Matt’s bed, heart pounding. I read the sheet of paper with shaking hands.

Who can you trust any more?

Your hearts are getting increasingly sore.

All of you are so bewildered.

But one of you is much more flustered.

There is a liar among your group.

The secret will throw all of you for a loop.

Your friend is full of secrets and lies.

You should prepare some last goodbyes.

            “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing?” The door flew open, revealing an angry looking Matt. His accusations burned as he stormed over and snatched the note from my hand.

            I grabbed it back, in no means about to give in. “What do you think you’re doing, hiding this from me?”

            “How am I supposed to know that you’re not the person in this note,” Matt stabbed at the paper with the tip of his finger. “How do I know who to trust anymore, Amy? This sneaky behavior, getting into my cabin to steal this note, it all looks mighty suspicious, doesn’t it?”