Personal Demons by Rachel A. Collett

Author:Rachel A. Collett [Collett, Rachel A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-01-27T22:00:00+00:00

I had barely gotten out of my car at Cheryl’s house when I heard the deep rumblings of a large vehicle coming down the street and watched as a black truck, so easily recognizable to me now, pulled directly in front of the house. My insides squeezed with anxiety. Did they know of the less-than-friendly exchange with their guest, Darius? The passenger side window rolled down.

“Good morning!” Elisa called out. “We’ve come to steal you and take you camping with us. It’s another one of our spur-of-the-moment ideas, so don’t feel pressured if you can’t go.”

“Wrong. Feel the pressure, Sarah. You’re going.” Laith squinted down at me with a look that said he would not abide any argument.

“Did you just come from your house?” I asked.

“Nope. We’ve been up for hours. Just came from getting food and ice.”

“Oh,” I said, glad that they hadn’t been able to talk to Darius yet—their overbearing and stupidly handsome friend. I glanced at the bed of the truck and saw a cooler, three or four backpacks, and sleeping bags, along with other items that I didn’t recognize. “You’re already packed?”

“Yep.”

I stared into those green eyes of his. I couldn’t quite place it, but there was something odd going on. “Laith, what are you up to?”

His shoulders lifted innocently, “Do I always have to be up to something?”

Elisa interjected. “He always has his gear ready. Normally we don’t take this much. Laith likes to commune with nature and loves sleeping underneath the stars. I don’t though. I sleep in the cab. Even though it’s been a warm January—”

“Good grief, it’s practically spring. It’s seventy degrees today!” Laith said. “And absolutely no snow anywhere nearby.”

“It’s still gets too cold for me,” she glanced pointedly at Laith, “so I have heat packs, thermal underwear, and a small battery-powered heater. I brought some extra thermals for you if you don’t have any and extra heat packs. Laith thinks it would be a perfect time to introduce you to the joys of camping”

Just then Cheryl came out of the house carrying my phone. She greeted my friends happily. “Laith and Elisa, right?”

“Correct,” Laith grinned.

“You’re going camping?” Cheryl asked, catching the end of the conversation.

“We’re hoping so.” Laith and Elisa climbed down from the truck. “We’d like to coerce Sarah into going as well.” He nudged me with his elbow. “I actually brought a tent this time and an extra heater. I knew this would be her first time, so where she sleeps is totally up to her. I have dinner and stuff for breakfast. Elisa packed a lot of other junk.”

“Believe me, we have everything we need,” Elisa said. “Laith knows how to make an awesome fire, and he’s just as good a cook as his dad.”

“Really? Dr. Stevens is a good cook? Is he going with you?” Cheryl asked, her cheeks grew pink as we all turned to her.

“No. He’s been out of town on a business trip. He gets back later tonight, but don’t worry, he knows where we’re going,” Laith said with a grin.

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