Morning all hope everyone is doing good on this Tuesday morning. The humidity is slightly lower than usual and so is the temp so I am taking the opportunity to open the window and air out the house. It feels kind of nice not to have them all closed and locked for a change. Even better to have the air blowing in through the windows not remind you of opening the oven door. So while the wind blows, lets set the timers and see what comes out of the prompt. Timers set and off we go.
Somehow I am not surprised that this went into the outdoors. the world is a lot louder with the windows open. even if it is daylight.
Tuesday, August 13th: She watched with a growing sense of discomfort.
She watched with a growing sense of discomfort. What started out as a minor disagreement seemed to be dissolving into something a great deal more personal and emotionally vicious. While they both played off the comments as good natured banter, the sniping was delving into deep waters, and she could see it in each set of eyes as the strike hit home.
She knew they dated but it had been a long time ago and both assured the group that they had well and truly settled their differences. Others didn’t seem to mind the comments, chalking it up ass simply the way they dealt with each other. She was newer to the group and failed to see anything good natured in it.
Carmen wondered if they had simple seen and heard the comments too many times for it to register. She backed away and Callie put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. “You get used to it,” she said even as she moved Carmen back towards the group and the fire.
She had to admit that was also something that was adding to her growing discomfort. No matter what was going on, if she even so much as stepped away from the group slightly, there always seemed to be someone there to pull her back. She had to admit that camping wasn’t really her thing. And the others knew it. When she was invited to go along with the group, they asked if she liked camping. She told them it wasn’t her thing and then they began regaling her with stories of how fabulous it was being in the great out doors. She listened, nodded and smiled, but said nothing. She didn’t correct them when they thought her lack of enthusiasm was due to a lack of familiarity.
It was in fact due to the opposite. She grew up in a family that loved camping. Every weekend was another hike often with at least one night spent in a tent. Every holiday was an extended trip out doors. The winter ones were an excuse to test out new types of gear.
There was always a new type of gear and it was always an excuse to go on yet another camping trip. When she left home, she left that all behind. Even though her parents and siblings still hiked and camped extensively, she only ventured into the woods on the trips she went home for the holidays. Then her camping gear was waiting and ready for her. The fact that they all thought she left it there for the holidays and had her own set of camping gear at her place was something she never corrected.
Somehow, against her better judgement, she accepted the invitation. When she thought about it, she didn’t really think the agreement actually came out of her mouth. Somehow, she still ended up going along.
Carmen let herself be guided back to the fire and waited for an appropriate time to claim exhaustion. Something was going on here beyond John and Lisa’s constant sniping. There was too much strange. ‘Besides I wanted to check that trail out.’ Carmen was certain she had been on this trail before. The campground seemed oddly familiar and she found something nagging at the back of her brain.
Soon enough her time came, She faked a yawn and rubbed her eyes, calling it a night. This time she was allowed to go. If anyone noticed her tent was just a little way away from the others no one said anything. There were several fallen trees and Carmen used them as an excuse for the placement of her tent. It seemed logical and no one minded. She even caught a smirk from Luke. It was gone with a blink, so she couldn’t call him on it, but she was certain it was there.
With her departure, the group seemed to think it a good time to rest. The fire was doused and Carmen heard them all heading towards their tents. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to rest if she didn’t look at the trail head. She took her flashlight and slipped out of the tent. ‘I’ll say I’m going to the bathroom if anyone asks,’ she decided as she made her way stealthily out of camp. She took a path that didn’t lead past the other tents and doubted anyone heard her leave. Her steps took her to the trail and keeping her flashlight angled low, she followed it. ‘I’m sure the old mill was just up this trail,’ she thought old memories beginning to stir.
Ten til Midnight 