Chapter 2: Hiking Part 2, The Rumours
The next morning, Jason as usual woke up early. He saw Thomas sitting on the bench and playing games.
"It seems both of you agreed to do guard duty just to spend time playing games."
"What else is there to do?"
"I am not complaining. I am just saying that if you two just keep playing video games all the time, when will you have time to enjoy the trip?"
"We are enjoying this trip very much. Anyways, need help preparing breakfast?"
"Abbey is still sleeping. It would be nice to have another pair of hands. But more than that, we are out of beers. Those three drunkards drank twice the amount yesterday than they usually do. So, can you go down and see if you can buy a case of beers from the stores nearby. Here's the money."
"You are now making me regret offering you my help... Well, whatever."
After taking the money Thomas went to buy beers while Jason went back to prepare breakfast. Thomas went outside the campsite. The campsite was based on a mountain next to the town. There was a convenient store nearby. After buying the beers, as Thomas was leaving the store, the shopkeeper called him back.
"Are you by any chance here for hiking?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
"I just wanted to confirm. Don't you know about the rumours that have been going around lately?"
"Rumours? What kind?"
"It's not a secret. Everyone in this town knows about it. About two months ago a family of four came to that campsite. But suddenly they went missing. When the police were called, after their investigation they only found some torn clothes with blood stains beside the lake at the second checkpoint."
"It could be a normal murder case. But what's so strange about it that made it a rumour? Probably not the murder itself?"
"The police did think that it was a murder but no bodies were found. But the interesting part is that frequent landslides have been happening after that incident. Mostly from the third checkpoint to the second. Some of them are saying it's God's wrath for committing crime in his land."
"God? I didn't know this town was that religious."
"It isn't. But it seems there is a small old shrine on the hill. Even I, who have been living in this town for my whole life, didn't know about it until recently."
"That might explain why there aren't any people at the campsite this season."
"Usually the people who visit here are regular, after that incident they stopped coming. As for you, who are new, it's normal for you to not know about it. I suggest you don't wander around late at night. And keep your eyes open all the time."
"I will keep that in mind. Anyways, thanks for the info."
Thomas left the store. The errand gave him the answer to why the campsite was so barren. He was thinking whether to tell the others about the rumour or not.
"Here are the beers."
"Thanks. I am almost done cooking. Can you please take out the plates from the bag?"
"More work?"
"Just this one only."
"Alright, but you owe me a beer for this."
"Didn't you already buy those?"
"I meant from your share."
"Alright. But be quick with the plates."
"Oh, by the way..."
"I will hear you out later. I have to wake them up otherwise we will be behind our schedule."
As Thomas was suddenly interrupted, he didn't get the chance to tell Jason about the rumours he heard. He eventually ended up forgetting about it. After Jason woke everyone up, they had their breakfast. Then they got ready to reach the first checkpoint. They reached the first checkpoint within their allocated time. They set up their four tents as usual and after that Jason and Abbey started preparing lunch while the rest idled away. Time went by and it was almost time for dinner. They were sitting around the campfire like yesterday.
"Did you guys have the same dreams yesterday as well?" asked Damian, as he started the discussion.
"Quite the odd way of starting a conversation. But yes, I did," said Ashton.
"So, did I," said Yosef.
"Did Thomas and you have enough sleep to even have dreams?" asked Jason.
"Like I said, I did," said Yosef.
"Even I had the similar dream before waking up to stand guard," said Thomas.
"So the rest of you also had silimar dreams?" asked Jason.
"Yes," they all said.
"Enough with the dreams, what's our goal for tomorrow?" asked Fredrick.
"Same as usual, reaching the second checkpoint before ten in the morning. Make sure you all wake up early tomorrow as well," said Jason.
"I heard there is a lake beside the campsite at the second checkpoint. We can try fishing there," said Ashton.
"By the way, speaking about the lake and the second checkpoint, I remembered hearing some rumours while at the store," said Thomas.
"What kind of rumours?" asked Jason.
"In short, a family went missing at the second checkpoint about two months ago and some blood stained clothes were found beside the lake. And there seems to be frequent landslides from the third checkpoint to the second," said Thomas.
"Apart from the family going missing, the landslides seem to be a bit concerning. They didn't mention anything at the reception. Maybe I should have paid more attention before picking this spot," said Jason.
"Don't worry too much. If it were that dangerous then this whole campsite would be closed," said Ashton.
"What's wrong Fred? You have been quieter than usual. Anything wrong?" asked Jason.
"Ohh. I was a bit lost in my thoughts, don't mind me," replied Fredrick.
"Alright. Let us know if there's something bothering you. Anyways, guys, who will be standing guard tonight?" asked Jason.
"It's our turn tonight," said Ashton referring to Fredrick and himself.
"Alright, and Yosef and Thomas, you two better not stay up late playing games," said Jason.
After dinner, the rest of them went into their tents except for Ashton who was on guard duty. Jason was making a final check for tomorrow's preparations.
"You are staying up late yourself while telling those two not to."
"I am just rechecking tomorrow's schedule."
"You should relax sometimes too."
"This is my way of relaxing."
"It seems there is no point in talking to you."
"Well, don't let your guard down and be careful not to catch a cold."
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