Chapter 50- Unexpected guest, Where is Hero?

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Hero walks me back to the tents at 6 and I notice that the storm has died down from last night. The ground is wet and the dirt is soaked as we walk back. He kisses me on the cheek and tells me bye as we reach the tents.

I get inside the tent and I stop in my tracks as I notice Kate's awake sitting up with her phone in her hands. She finally notices me and relief plunges through her as she looks up at me.

''Sia! Where have you been? I've been calling you all night!'' She says as she walks up to me.

''I.. uhm..'' I start but she interrupts.

''Whose jacket is that?'' I look down at the jacket on my body. Hero gave me his jacket to wear on the back because I was feeling a bit chilly and in case it was still raining.

''I uhm went to a football game with Nelson'' I lie. I hate lying and I worst of all I hate having to use Nelson's name as part of my lie.

''We uhm just hung out after for the night''

''For the whole night?'' She asks suspiciously.

''Yeah well and my mom too'' I say.

''So you guys were so busy that you couldn't even answer your phone once or at least reply to my texts?''

I don't even know where my phone is I say in my head. That's true, I haven't seen it since the football game, where is it?

''Sorry I knew I should've told you but I'll let you know next time'' I tell her.

''Did you tell anyone that I was gone?'' I ask.

''Well just Easton but he said that he didn't see you'' She says and I'm thankful that Easton didn't say anything to her about last night and he kept his word to me that he wouldn't tell anyone, I'll thank him later.

''Oh, I'm sorry I won't do it again'' I say.

I just wish I could tell her everything, have someone to talk too. Sometimes I get so frustrated with all the lies and how I have to keep everything a secret, I need someone to talk too about Hero and me, a friend. I hate being alone and keeping everything inside like this.

I take the jacket off and put it by my stuff and Kate's mouth opens as she sees my neck. Oh god! The lovebites.

''So you and Nelson have been getting closer I see'' She says.

''No, no uhm..'' I have nothing to say, no excuse for these marks. This is so embarrassing.

I walk over to my spot and lie down and the first thing I do is cover up the lovebites with make-up, Kate lies in her spot and she asks me questions about last night. She asks them in a non-intrusive way but in a more caring way. I tell her how the game was great and then we went to watch a movie and we all stayed at my aunt's house nearby. I find myself describing Hero's good looks in-depth then I start blushing hard but I bring myself back and I continue to talk about Nelson and I's time last night. She nods and smiles along while I talk. She tells me that she was worried that I was out so late in the storm and she said she felt a bit scared in the tent alone especially when the storm really came down and I apologize for that.

**********

''Okay everyone I will give you your next assignment a little later and now we will postpone our activities we had planned for today and just let you all relax and get everything together after that storm last night'' Mr. Brown informs us.

Kate, Easton and I take a walk around the forest near our tents and talk. Easton barely makes eye contact with me and when he does he gives me an awkward smile. I need to talk to him later when Kate is not around. As we walk a familiar face and voice makes me stop in my tracks and Easton and I share the same astounded expression.

''Sia!'' Nelson says and walks up to me for a hug.

I awkwardly hug him back and try to keep a straight face.

''What are you doing here?'' I ask him.

''I really missed you and you were barely answering my calls and messages but I knew you were busy but I just really wanted to see you'' He says and hugs me back. No no, he can't be here, he needs to go back home.

He looks awkwardly at Kate and Easton and I decide to introduce them.

''Oh Nelson this is Kate and Easton, they're my friends'' I say and gesture to the both of them.

''Hi, I'm Nelson, Sia's boyfriend'' He says and shakes their hands.

''It's really nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you'' Kate says and Nelson smiles.

I never really told Nelson about Kate and Easton maybe only once, I haven't even been in contact with him or Erin and April really because I'm too busy as someone else occupies most of my time, Hero.

Nelson joins Kate, Easton and I on our walk and Nelson tells them a bit about himself and they tell him about themselves as well. Kate and Easton eventually leave Nelson and I and says she's gonna leave us alone now.

Should I do it now? Is this the time? Should I break up with him now? Maybe I should and get it over with. What excuse would I have for breaking up with him? How would I tell him?

Oh, I'm cheating on you as I'm sleeping with a masked man who does witchcraft in the forest who's the total opposite of me and who's not good for me and oh also I sneak out almost every night to be with him.

I haven't planned how I'm going to tell him, every time I try to sit down and think of how I'm gonna tell him something always comes up and I have to leave or something.

''So how come you haven't been answering my calls or messages? I called you a few times last night and many other times before that'' Nelson asks.

''Uhm sorry I've been busy and sometimes it's a bit distracting to answer my phone during an assignment or when we're hiking''

''Oh okay, you're so busy that you don't even have time to reply to my texts? I get worried most of the times Sia. It's a good thing your mom updates me when I can't reach you'' He says and I get angry. Is that what they do all the time, sit down and talk about our relationship? How weird is that? My mom and my boyfriend.

''I'm sorry but you don't have to worry that much, I'm fine, even if I don't respond to your calls and texts I'll respond to them later but you don't have to talk to my mom all the time to check up on me'' I tell him.

He tells me on what's been going on with him back at home. He says the final round of his chess competition is on Friday and he's really excited, he says that he's in second place right now and he's trying to beat this other guy Calum who's a really good chess player as well.

In the middle of the conversation, Hero pops in my head about where he is, what he's doing and most of all who he's with. I push him back and bring back my focus on Nelson. He continues and tells me how much he misses me and how much his parents do too and he's glad I only have a month again left and I remind that it's a month and a half and I continue to listen, I zone out for a bit until he says something that brings me back.

''Wha... what you say?''

''I saw a creepy creature when I was driving up here in a cat mask and then when I got closer I think I saw another one in a sheep mask and I got so scared I almost turned back'' He says and I'm starting to panic. Hero did that, I know it.

As soon as he says sheep mask I know it was Hero, why would Hero do that? And most of all how did Hero know that he was coming here?

I try to convince him that it's not real and how maybe he was just hallucinating or something and says maybe he was. I can't tell Nelson now, I have no idea how to and most of all because I don't want to hurt him although I know I already did but I just can't bear to see that hurt look on his face when he hears it.

We walk back to the tents and I notice that the interns are surrounding the leaders. I join them while Nelson waits in the back for me.

''I hope you all chose your groups already because we will be starting this assignment tomorrow. I am going to give each of you a paper and with your given assignment. You will be confused now because we haven't reached the destination yet where you have to investigate the issue given to you but we will get there tomorrow for most of you to start but some other will have to wait until we get to your destination'' Mr. Miller informs us. She hands a piece of paper to some people and Easton takes one for our group.

We got 'legend of the ancient brown box' the paper says and I'm so confused but I remember Mr. Miller told us that we would be confused until we get to the destination tomorrow where we will find it. I volunteer to keep the paper in Kate and I's tent. We all get in Easton's tent, me, Nelson and Kate and we hang out for a while. We tell scary stories, make jokes and eat dinner. After Kate and I go back to our tent as it's getting late.

I stop in my tracks when I reach the entrance of my tent as I notice my phone sitting on the top of my bag. My phone was never there before, I was looking everywhere for it and I thought I left it at Hero's place, how could it be here? Relief washes over me as I think that maybe Hero found it at his place and brought it here. What I really wanna know is how he did that without anyone seeing him? Nelson tells us that he's staying the night and he brought his tent to sleep in and he asked the leaders and they said it was okay.

I help him set up his tent and he tells me goodnight as I leave to go to mine. I finally try to put my phone on but I realize it has been powered off, that's weird. I power it on and I'm surprised to see no missed calls or messages, that's weird, didn't Nelson and Kate say that they were calling me multiple times and left me messages? but I don't see any.

Did Hero delete them? Did he have my phone?

Kate is asleep and I'm assuming Nelson is too, now would be a good time to talk to Easton if he's awake. I call him on his phone and he answers with his voice a bit groggy.

''Hey, I didn't mean to disturb you but I was wondering if we could talk?'' I ask.

''Yeah okay just come over'' He says.

I get inside his tent and sit down to talk to him about last night. He gives me a small smile then looks at me indicating that I should start first. I figure that it might be better if we take a walk and talk just nearby and he agrees.

''I wanted to thank you for not telling Kate about last night when she asked you where I was and also not anyone else''

''I promised you I wouldn't'' he says.

''Yes thank you''

''So uhm.... when have you started you know dating him?'' He asks. Hero and I are not even dating although I wish we were.

''Almost three months ago''

''Wow I didn't know it was that long''

''Just saying I don't think he likes me''

''That's just Hero being Hero he isn't the nicest person at first''

''But after he is?'' He asks.

''Yeah, when you get to know him you wouldn't wanna be away from him''

''Honestly I never in a million years would've thought you would've done that'' He says and the horrible guilt returns, the guilt I've had in me all day.

''I know I never thought I would do it either'' I say and look down.

''I didn't know you like guys like that, I mean Nelson is so the opposite in a much better way''

''What is that supposed to mean?'' I snap at him.

''Nothing sorry I just meant how much different he is from Nelson and type of guy I thought you would like'' He says.

''I know, I don't usually like guys like that but Hero is different''

''When are you gonna tell Nelson?'' He questions and I tell him when I figure out how to. We continue to talk and so far he isn't prying into anything, he's just looking out for me until he asks the one question I was hoping he wouldn't because I have no idea how to answer it.

''How'd you guys meet?'' He asks and suddenly my phone rings and I notice the name flashing on the screen, it's Hero. I look up at Easton and he nods telling me to answer it.

I walk a little away from Easton and answer it.

''Hello'' I answer.

''Hey baby!'' Hero shouts so loud that I have to move the phone away from my ear.

''Hey, what are you doing?'' I ask worriedly.

Is he okay? No he's not, he never answers the phone like that, in fact he never even answer sometimes.

''Nothing what about you? you deepthroating Nelson?'' He says and his voice is serious. Oh great, he's drunk.

''Hero!'' I scold and he laughs but his laugh isn't genuine it's full of anger and hate.

''Where are you?'' I ask and I hear loud metal music with many obscene words arising and then I hear someone tell him that the highlight of the party is downstairs and I hear him say pass him another bottle of Tequila.

''Hero no don't drink anymore!'' I tell him and he laughs.

''Don't tell me what to do!'' He shouts.

''Where are you?'' I ask him.

''Somewhere'' He says calmly and I roll my eyes.

''Hero please stop drinking and go home'' I tell him and he laughs.

''Hero please'' I beg and he mocks me then laughs.

''Stop laughing Hero this is serious, I think you should stop drinking and go home and get some rest before you do something that you wouldn't normally do''

''Do you miss me?'' He asks and his voice soft, much softer than before, he really is bipolar.

''Yes I do but I don't like you this way''

''Then too bad'' He says and he hangs up.

I try calling him back but his phone just goes to voicemail. He's drunk and I don't want him to do something that he wouldn't normally do if he wasn't in that state. I have to go find him, I don't want him to hurt himself or something.

''I have to go'' I tell Easton.

''Is everything okay?'' He asks concerned.

''Yeah uhm I just have to go do something'' I tell him and head back to the tents.

''Sia wait just be careful'' He says.

'I will'' I say.

If I take the bus then I might not get there in time to stop him, I need to borrow someone's car, Nelson's. I sneak in Nelson's tent and he is asleep but he isn't a heavy sleeper, not like Hero so this is going to be difficult. I grab his keys next to him and as I get out Easton stares at me in confusion.

''I just need to borrow his car to go somewhere'' I tell him and he nods.

''Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?'' He asks.

''No, but thanks though'' I tell him and go inside my tent.

I put on jeans and a top with shoes and his jacket and head out. I move silently but swiftly pass all the tents to go to Nelson's car. I drive up the hill to the cabin and while I'm driving I hope that Hero doesn't drink anymore or do something that he wouldn't do when he's in his right state of mind. Please don't let him drink anymore. I just park the car at any space I could find and I scan all the cars parked hoping to see Hero's but I don't see his. I push past people to get inside hoping to find him but I don't see him. The music is blaring and the place is overcrowded. It's gonna take me a while to find Hero in here.

''Hey Sia, I didn't know you were coming tonight'' Axe says as he puts his arm around my shoulder and places a red cup in my hand.

''I just came to look for Hero'' I tell him.

''He's over here'' He says and leads me to the couch with the rest of the group.

I notice everyone but Stone and Hero, maybe they're together outside or something. I thought Axe said he was over here.

''So I see Hero finally let you come by yourself'' Dash says next to me.

''Do you know where he is?'' I ask him.

''Nope but have a drink'' He says.

''So Sia we're gonna start playing a little strip poker'' Livia says and that's my signal to leave.

''I'm sorry but I really have to go''

''Going already? You just got here'' Livia says.

''Yeah I was just looking for Hero'' I tell them.

''Why you wanna fuck him tonight?'' Brooke asks twirling her hair between her fingers and I gasp aloud at her choice of words.

''No, I just have to tell him something'' I say and they laugh and I walk away and go upstairs.

''Don't forget to come to the party on Friday!'' I hear a few of them shout as I make my way out.

I push through people and I look in every room for him but I just find some drunk teenagers in every room dirty dancing. I remember on the phone some guy told him that the party's downstairs. I walk back downstairs and I search for him but still no luck until I see a staircase leading somewhere further down, I walk down and all I find is all small room with some people doing a keg stand. I walk behind and I see a door with a whole bunch of locks on it. I put my hand on one of the doorknobs and to my surprise, it turns but a voice behind me makes me stop.

''Where do you think you're going?'' Stone growls and puts his hand on the door.

''I uhm was just looking for Hero'' I say.

''Well he's not in there right now''

''Right now? so he was in there?''

''Look little girl maybe you should go back upstairs, this room is clearly off-limits to you'' He says and I gulp then walk back upstairs.

I get out of that cabin because it's official Hero is not in there. Is he in that room down there? I don't think so. I walk outside away from the cabin and the music and call his phone multiple times but he doesn't answer as I expected.

''Hey'' Dash walks up to me.

''Hey'' I tell him back.

''You okay?'' He asks.

''No not really I just can't find Hero''

''He's probably doing what he usually does'' He says.

''Which is?''

''Hooking up with some girl'' he says and I feel this pit forming in my stomach and my heartbeat is much faster than ever. Will he really do that? He might because he's drunk and I have no idea where he is. No, no I hope he isn't doing that. It's disgusting and hurtful just thinking about him with another girl, I try my best to not let that thought cloud my mind.

''Who?'' I ask.

''I don't know he changes girls all the time'' He says and I try my best to keep myself together a but I can't I need to find him.

''I have to go'' I tell him.

''Hope you find him'' He says and I give him a small smile and drive off.

Hero was at the party when he called me and that was like a half an hour ago so he couldn't have gone that far.

I pull up in front of his house, the other place he might be.