Stuck with S'More Death by Nicole Ellis

Author:Nicole Ellis [Ellis, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-07-27T23:00:00+00:00

12

The next day, we arranged with the resort for a private guided hike in the hills that rose high above Thunder Lake. Under the canopy of trees, the temperature was pleasant, with just enough spots of sun peeking through the branches to keep us warm. Birds chirped above us, competing with the sound of our hiking boots crunching on dried leaves and moss along the hard-packed dirt trail.

Adam carried Ella in a hiking carrier on his back, and Desi had Lina in a front pack. Tomàs and I wore backpacks containing food, water, and an emergency first aid kit. The boys walked along beside us. I hadn’t been sure what to expect, but so far, the hike had exceeded my expectations—that is, with the exception of our guide, Sela.

I’d seen her around the resort, but I hadn’t met her until the hike. She was younger than Adam and I, maybe in her mid-twenties. She wore her long dark hair loose around her shoulders and was dressed in a tank top and shorts that barely reached to mid-thigh. Her backpack and well-worn hiking boots were the only nod to a day that would be spent in the woods.

According to Leah, Sela was an experienced hiker in the area and we were in good hands, but I had my doubts. Desi and I had tried to talk with our guide since we’d left the resort, but our questions so far had been met with terse responses. Sela had glared at me so many times that I couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t like me.

The hike itself had been fairly easy so far. The trail we were on had gradual changes in elevation for the most part, and the two boys didn’t seem to be having any trouble with it. I’d worried that we’d end up having to carry them when they grew tired, but it hadn’t been a problem. I was determined not to let Sela’s grumpiness affect us, so I tried again to get her to open up to us.

“So, have you lived in this area for long?” I asked her.

“I’ve been here for a couple of years. I had family in the area, but they’ve since moved away.” She said all of this while looking straight ahead at the trail we were on.

“Oh, you must really like the area if you decided to stay here after they left,” Desi observed. “It is beautiful here.” She adjusted the straps of the front pack she was carrying Lina in.

Sela shrugged. “The area is nice, I guess, but I decided to stay for other reasons.” She turned away from us and quickened her pace.

Desi and I exchanged glances.

“She’s not very talkative,” I whispered.

“Well, not everybody is a chatterbox like us.”

“Haha. I can be quiet sometimes,” I said.

“Really?” She smirked at me. “You hate awkward silences.”

I was about to respond, but Mikey broke in first.

“Mommy,” he said, as he tugged on my arm, “my shoelace came untied again.”

I groaned. Not again. “Sela,” I called out.

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