Chapter 20
TWENTY
INDY
Ican’t believe this is happening. So many scenarios float through my brain, and I pray none of them are right.
Out on the trail where Finn’s stuff was spotted the police trampled all over, but made sure to give the camp itself a wide berth.
When they were done taking pictures of the area and collecting whatever they needed, they left silently.
Thank goodness, because I don’t think my family could survive a scandal like this.
“Indy,” the intern sheriff says, “here’s your phone.”
I showed her the text I got from Finn, telling me he wasn’t coming back, and that he found another opportunity. I didn’t think anything of it, considering his stuff was already gone when I checked in with River, but now…
“Thanks,” I offer weakly.
“We’ll find out what happened,” she promises, placing a hand on my shoulder with a smile.
I notice she doesn’t say that Finn will be okay, or that we’ll find him.
Still, her level of confidence should give me a modicum of peace.
I just can’t stop worrying about the whole camp being shut down.
This summer program is supposed to be good for the farm.
Not make it a target for people going missing, or…
God, I can’t even think about the other possibilities.
“Oh and, someone named Summer sent you a few texts, might wanna make sure she’s alright.”
I nod, waving the hand with the phone in it, and get into my truck to head to my parents house. When I arrive, Mr. Harris is seated at the small table in the kitchen talking to Papa, and Mama’s sitting in the living room with Mrs. Harris.
“I don’t want to jump to conclusions,” I overhear Mr. Harris saying, “but what if one of the kids had found that in the woods instead of one of us?”
My heart sinks, thinking about one of the kids finding someone’s things covered in blood.
“I think we should let the police determine what’s actually going on. Maybe Finn was mixed up with bad people, or maybe he just left his stuff.” I say to Mama as I enter the living room.
Mama gives me a look that says, you don’t really believe that, and she’s right, but I have to try and stay positive for the ranch.
Especially for the camp. It’s my pride and joy, the one thing I do every year, and each year I have a scholarship fund for kids who can’t afford traditional camp. If something happens while the kids are here, and they end up involved… that’ll be the end of it.
“I think I’m gonna stay here tonight, just in case,” I announce.
Papa hollers from the kitchen, “We’ll be fine, BeeBee.”
“Just humor me, Papa,” I yell back.
“You’re welcome anytime,” Mama says, wrapping me up in her arms.
Heading up the stairs to my old bedroom, I run my hands over the pictures on the wall and smile at the one of us the summer before I left for college. My parents were in a different place then. The ranch was doing well, and I had so many choices laid out before me.
My phone buzzes again, and River’s name flashes on the screen.
RIVER: How you holding up?
ME: About as well as can be expected.
The bubbles appear then disappear. I’m sure they’re trying to decide what to say, but think better of it because they never text back.
Reading the few messages Summer sent me, I put her at the back of my mind. It’s not fair for me to be letting my feelings cloud my responsibilities. Maybe if I’d been paying better attention to the other counselors, instead of just Summer, I’d have picked up on this before it happened.
Finn’s clothing being bloody, and left on one of our trails feels like I’m living in a real life horror movie.
I can’t help imagining the worst. My brain spirals as I climb into the bathtub and start the water.
There’s a comfort knowing that I can always come back here and feel safe, surrounded by the people who love me most, while still having my cabin.
Something completely mine, like the bees.
I’m sure everything will work itself out with Finn, and the camp will be fine.
It has to be.