Chapter 52- What's behind the door?

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It's been almost a week now since I've heard from Hero but it feels like months. Today is now Friday, the night of the party and also the night of the dinner. Evelyn called and said that Brent and Claire would love to have me and Hero over for dinner on Friday night but I told her that I'm sorry but maybe I can come over another time because I'm busy that night.

I didn't tell her that Hero and I are not speaking to each other and there is no way I could get him to come to dinner without causing a scene. She also said that Hero's uncle is going to be there too as he is in town on business and really wants to see Hero and I told her that I'll see but if we don't maybe we would come another time.

These past five days have been so busy and exhausting. We have been hiking every day and are trying to finish our assignment. All the groups have been getting little information on their given issue and so far we are the only group that barely has anything. The leaders told us the area where the box may be hidden and the legend behind it but Easton, Kate and I search everywhere but we don't find it nor any traces of it. They tell us that it's near unusual trees with horrific carvings and we have to try to find it.

I have been avoiding calls and messages from my mother and my excuse is that I'm busy and I'll call her later but I don't want to talk to her or anything after what happened between Nelson and I. I'm pretty sure she already knows and that's why she's calling me even more times a day than usual. Nelson hasn't really tried to contact me either and I do feel horrible for doing that to him. I've had some sleepless nights thinking about how much I've hurt Nelson and most of all about Hero, where he is? who he's with? and how much I wished to be in his bed in his arms than sleeping in the tent but he shouldn't have done that, I didn't want Nelson to find out like that.

We started our hike about an hour ago and I'm glad that we now stopped for a water break. We look for any trees with scary faces carved into them at the front as that's where the box is buried nearby there but we don't see any. Mr. Mayor tells us that we may not find the box because no one has but we have to look for trees or area which is said to where the box is.

We have been looking for days and still nothing I begin to think that there isn't any brown old box buried anywhere in here but then again we are in the Elfin Forest in Escondido where anything is possible.

''Okay everyone we will be settling down in our spot for tonight very soon. The assignment will continue up to next week and you will be given a new one. I know most of you have found some information or traces on the issue that you were given and some of you may have not really found anything but keep looking because it's in here''

We finally reach the place where we'll be staying tonight and start setting up as it's almost sundown. Kate and I get in our tents and take a quick nap then get up and have dinner and maybe hang out with Easton.

It's now 6 as we have dinner with the rest of the group. Kate, Easton and I talk for a bit about Elliot and Savanna and they ask me how's Nelson and say that he's such a great guy and we are perfect together. I have been trying not to think of Nelson or Hero for the day and so far I haven't really until they brought it up now.

I smile as they tell me how much Nelson and I are alike and yes we may be perfect together in everyone's eyes but I don't feel it anymore. Ever since I've met Hero, I don't feel the way I used to feel about him but I still love Nelson like a friend and I hope he does too. With Hero everything is different, I feel things I have never felt before not just sexually but other feelings I feel towards him and every time we are together I feel them even more.

I know that he was jealous last week because Nelson came to visit me and that's why he was drinking but that was the last thing I thought he would be mad about, I thought maybe his father got him mad or something. When I tucked in his bed and kissed him on his cheek it was so sweet that I felt like I was putting a five-year-old to sleep.

When he told me that he wanted me to stay with him everything inside of me melted and that was all I wanted to, stay with him, whenever I'm in his arms I feel secure and protected and nothing else in the world matters but me and him.

I really have fallen so deep under his spell but I can't help it, I remember the first time I saw him, that was when he was wearing the sheep mask and staring at me when I went to get my phone in the bus. I wanted nothing more than to get away from him but now I want nothing more than to be closer to him. So much as happened in the last two and a half months.

''Hellloooo Sia, Easton's gonna hang out in our tent for a while okay? You coming?''

''Uhm yeah'' I say and head over with them to our tent.

We hang out for a while then Ms. Wilber comes in and tells us that we should sleep early tonight because another storm is coming tonight and she said to expect some more as we are in Escondido's rainy season. I have decided that I will call my mother tomorrow and listen to her scold me for at least an hour on the phone at whatever Nelson told her about our breakup. Kate and I change into our PJs and just as we lie down we here raindrops fall onto the tent and the storm has started.

After about two hours of just lying here, I finally get up and change into jeans, a t-shirt, and a jacket. The storm has died down which I'm thankful for. I make sure everyone is asleep before I leave.

I walk down to the bus stop and take the bus further up the mountain the closest to the cabin. I walk for about 20 minutes down the dark lonely trail then finally hear loud metal music and see lights in a distance. I slowly walk inside and I see no familar faces, I walk by the couch and I see some of Hero's friends but not Hero, Stone, and Dash.

''Sia!'' Axe shouts.

''Come over here'' He says.

''Uhm maybe later but I have to do something first''

''If you're looking for Hero, he's around here somewhere but here have this'' He says and hands me a red cup filled with alcohol.

''What is it?'' I ask.

''Vodka'' He says and I quickly walk away.

A drunk girl slips and spills some of her drink on me and just laughs and walks away. It's a good thing I'm still wearing my jacket because the drink wouldn't stain it. I go to the kitchen and take a paper towel and wipe the liquid off my jacket. Just as I turn around to head outside I bump into someone else.

''Where are you going?'' He asks.

''Away from you'' I say and walk past him.

Just as I walk out onto the front porch my eyes widen as I see another familiar face. We both share the same surprised expression as we notice each other.

''Sia, it's a surprise seeing you here'' He says and I force a smile. It's a surprise seeing him here too.

What is he doing here? How does he know about here?

''Are Erin and April here too?'' He asks.

''No just me''

''So what brings you to a party like this?'' He asks and before I can answer I feel someone sling their arm over my shoulder and move in close to me, Hero.

''Hero! dude where the hell have you been?'' He asks and Hero laughs and they slap hands. Do they know each other?

''Been busy dude. What happened last week?'' Hero questions him. How do they know each other? What is Dean doing here? I knew he was a bad guy but not as bad as these guys are here because I mean for one he only has one tattoo and it's a small one on his arm and I didn't think he was as bad as Hero and his friends but they look like they know each other really good.

''Yeah sorry, but I promise I'll make up for it next week'' He smirks.

''Make up for what?'' I ask and they both share an awkward look between each other.

''Just partying and stuff'' Dean answers.

''I didn't know you two know each other'' Dean says.

''Oh yeah we each other real good'' Hero says and he and Dean stare at each other for a moment.

''Sia I just never thought you were thought you were that type of girl''

Oh my gosh, I really hate when people tell me that, they have no idea how I feel when they say that.

''What do you mean?''

''You know who comes to parties like this and stuff'' He states the obvious.

''Well I am'' I lie and they both look at me weirdly.

''Alright well Sia, I'll see you and Hero catch you later'' He dismisses himself and gives me a small smile before he walks off into the cabin.

What was Dean doing here? Erin's crush for years. How does he know Hero and his friends?

I remove Hero's arm from around my shoulder and begin to walk away but he grabs my wrist stopping me.

''Where are you going?''

''I'm just going to get some fresh air'' I say.

He walks past me with his hand still holding my wrist and we walk past the cabin and onto the trail. He lets go of my wrist and we walk beside each other.

''So, how do you know Dean?'' He asks.

''We go to the same college'' I say.

''How do you know him?''

''I've just known him for a little while''

''Why aren't you with your friends?''

''What?''

''It's surprising that you're out here with me right now because whenever we're around your friends or something you always act like you don't know me'' I tell him and my phone rings.

''Who is it?'' He asks.

''My mom''

''What does she want?''

''Just to give me a long lecture on Nelson and I's relationship and make us get back together''

''Do you wanna get back together?''

''No''

''Then don't do anything you dont want to, if you don't want to get back together with him then you don't have too'' He says and I finally take a big gulp of the alcohol in my cup.

''Since when do you drink?'' He asks.

''Since now'' I say and take another sip then he snatches the cup out of my hand.

I try to take it back but he lifts the cup to his mouth and gulps down all. He drank out all the alcohol from the cup so I wouldn't have any more to drink.

''Here'' He says and hands me the empty cup and I roll my eyes.

''What'd you do for this week?'' He asks and I don't answer.

''What's wrong?'' He asks and I still don't answer.

''What?'' He asks and steps in front of me and puts holds both of my arms in his hands.

''I'm still mad at you for what you did''

''Look he was going to find out sooner to later and maybe it was better for him to see than for you to build up that courage to tell him''

''I was going to tell him''

''When Sia when?'' He asks angrily.

''I don't know but soon but you didn't have to do that, that hurt him, even more, seeing us''

''Look I know it hurt you for him to see it but maybe it was better that he did'' He says and we continue walking.

''Nelson has been my childhood friend, he has been there for me through it all. Every time my parents would fight and when my dad left he has been with me and helped me through that. We have been friends since 5 and we started dating a few years now and since then he has been everything to me'' I inform him and I watch as he looks at me then looks out at the trail in front of us with a crestfallen look on his face.

I didn't tell him that to make him feel bad I just thought that he should know.

''I thought I loved him but I didn't. I only dated him because I felt like I owed it to myself and him because he was the only guy that I have ever really talked too and well since both of our parents have been pushing us together so it just felt right but I don't think I have ever loved him in the same way that he loved me'' I tell him and he turns his head and looks at me with great interest in his eyes wanting to hear more.

''Ever since I met you I can't stop thinking about you and yes I do hate myself for what I did to him and that will always be with me of how much I hurt him after how much he has been there for me but being with you, every second of it takes me away from everything and it's just you and me nothing else in the world matters. Hero I-'' He cuts me off by covering his mouth with mine. He places both of his hands on either side of my face pulling me in closer, I feel a sense of eagerness ignite throughout my body from his lips on mine and his breath on mine.

I feel his dry lips against mine and I can taste the vodka in his mouth from when he drank mine earlier. I put my hand on the back of his head pulling him in closer. We kiss for a while before he pulls away and takes my hand in his as we continue walking.

''Why didn't you at least call me or anything in the last few days?''I ask him.

''I didn't think you wanted me too''

''I didn't but still''

''Okay well I will next time''

''So you missed me then?'' He smirks.

''Yes all the time'' I admit.

''I missed you too'' He says then we start heading back.

As we get inside Hero leads me by a group of three girls who are Diesel's cousins and this is their first time here and they are kinda like me. He tells me to hang out with them and that he'll be right back. The girls are actually really nice, probably the nicest girls here. They don't really drink that much and they are so the opposite of Hero and his friends, it's hard to believe one of the girls is Diesel's cousin because she's so nice unlike him really.

They tell me a bit about themselves about how their from Oklahoma and how they like California more than there. They're just visiting Diesel and his family for a week before they head back. They are a bit like me in a few ways, they're kind and always laughing and happy. They say that in there is to crowd and not their place to be and they're gonna leave at 10.

I tell them a bit about myself and I'm happy that they only ask me two questions about Hero and me how long Hero and I know each other and then the other girl jokes and says he's really hot and way out of her league. We talk for about two hours on the front porch until they're ready to leave. I tell them bye and how they reach home safely to Oklahoma.

I try to push through the crowd to look for Hero. He said he was going to come back and meet me by the girls two hours ago but he isn't anywhere to be found. I notice that the couch isn't occupied by the usual people but by others. Where is he? I look through the entire cabin for him but still no sign of him. I finally walk down to the basement and I notice the door with all the locks on it has smoke or steam coming out from the crease underneath. There is a man guarding the door as I step in front of it.

''Where do you think you're going?'' The man asks.

''I'm looking for someone''

''Well look upstairs because down here is off-limits to people like you''

''I already checked upstairs''

''No one that you know is going to be in there''

''Why, what's in there?'' I ask. Behind this door looks like it has something really bad behind it.

''None of your business, go back upstairs'' The man says.

I walk back upstairs then think could Hero be in there? What's in there? There's something in that room that has me suspicious. I need to know if Hero's in there. I head back down and the man is away from the door talking to another man. I push the door open and step inside. It's a plain room with light brown colored walls an old couch and some chairs. The room reeks of alcohol and a type of smoke that almost makes me choke if I inhale too much so I hold my breath for most of the time.

Everyone is staring at me like I'm an alien or something, just because I don't have tattoos and smoke and drink alcohol and sleep around with guys doesn't mean I'm an alien or something I just choose to do better things with my life. I stare back at them unsure what to do since Hero isn't in the room. A girl hands me a cigarette but I refuse politely and then they all in the room laugh at me and whisper things to each other.

''What are you doing down here?'' A man with a beard asks.

''I'm looking for Hero''

''Is he in that room?'' I ask pointing to the door behind him.

''You smoke pot?''

''What?'' I ask him, I don't think I heard him right.

''Pot'' He repeats.

''Uhm no I just wanted to see him'' I say and he laughs.

''You wanna see Hero'' He laughs again.

''Why don't you look for a man who's your type'' He says.

''And why don't you look for a girl your size to pick on'' I snap and he moves and opens the door behind him.

''Yo Hero you got a visitor'' The man says from by the entrance of the room.

''If she's hot and got some big ass then send her in'' Hero says and I know he's drunk.

What does he mean by that? Is he expecting someone like that? is he in there with someone like that? God please no.

I can't even see him because the man is blocking the entrance of the room standing by the doorway.

''She's definitely not your type dude'' The man says and I feel angry and hurt. I push past the man and stand in front of him by the entrance.

As I enter the room dust and filth occupies the underneath of my shoes followed by the stench of alcohol and even more smoke filling my nostrils. Smoke is high in the air and I feel like I'm about to be sick.

There are two couches in this room, an old tv, a counter filled with empty beer bottles. The room has spray paint on the walls and the ceiling is a stained old brown color. The room has at least 10 people and I wonder how they are all inhaling all this smoke in the air without coughing, I've only been here for a second and I'm trying to hold back myself from coughing and choking on all this smoke.

I notice Hero with a girl sitting next to him on a single couch and the girl is a blonde with her breasts almost in Hero's face. She has her hand rubbing his shoulder as they each have a beer bottle in their hands and a cigarette or something in the other. Hero blows out smoke from his mouth then laughs with the people sitting in front of him. His eyes snap up when he sees me and his expression totally changes and we both stare at each other wide-eyed.

He quickly gets up and rests the bottle and cigarette on the table next to him before he runs up to me. His eyes are bloodshot and his hair is messy and his lips form a straight line and I can tell he's furious. Why is he angry? I should be angry after all I just came down here to kind him smoking pot with another girl flirting with her leg on his lap.

He grabs onto my arm making everyone stare at us and squeezes it tightly as he pulls me upstairs and out the cabin. He practically throws me in the passenger seat in his car then gets in the front and takes off. He grips the steering wheel tightly and lets out a sigh of anger.

''What the hell were you doing!'' He shouts and his voice fills the car.

''What were you doing? You smoke pot?''

''That is none of your fucking business, you need to stop checking up on me!''

''I wasn't I was just looking for you''

''I told you to stay upstairs''

''And I did, who was that girl on you?''

''My hook up for tonight, we just fucked a few minutes ago''

''You're lying'' I say and my voice cracks and I think I'm about to cry.

''You're lying you didn't sleep with her!'' I shout at him.

If he did, that's it, I feel like I might run away and live somewhere far away from where something is likely to kill me and give up on everything, I hope he is lying.

''You're fucking ruining my reputation!'' He shouts at me.

''What reputation?''

''The one where I can't be seen with girls like you!''

''What is wrong with you! One minute you were so nice when we were walking down the trail and then as soon as you go downstairs with your friends, you change''

''You just need to stay away and find a man like yourself and stop looking for one who isn't'' He growls and I don't bother to say anything else because he is right.

I know I shouldn't be with him but I've never wanted anything more.

I look out the window for the rest of the drive wherever he's driving to and I notice that the buildings have disappeared and only dirt with grass and cactuses I see. The place is lonely and dark and the road starts disappearing too.

Where is he taking me?