“We all go to the sacred ruins, then we get the next clue,” I say.
“I already called to have new clothes brought up for us, and a car should arrive in the next twenty minutes,” Langston stares back at me.
He didn’t argue with me about us all going.
I don’t know what to do with that. All I know is that I need to get out of this hotel room before I suffocate in the thoughts of him fucking Phoenix after touching me.
Langston rented a six-passenger van and driver to take us to the ruins. The drive is long, winding, and silent.
None of us speak about what we are going to do when we get there. Langston and I don’t share any of the information we know about what we might face. We don’t discuss what we are going to do with Maxwell or what Phoenix knows.
Eventually, the driver stops and points down a dirt road. Apparently, this is as far as he goes.
Each of us climb out. I feel for my gun, but don’t remove it. Just knowing it’s there brings some comfort. I’m nowhere near as skilled with a gun as Langston is, but at least I have a weapon to defend myself.
Maxwell asked for a gun, but we refused him. And Phoenix just scoffed when Langston tried to get her to carry a gun.
We all march down the abandoned dirt road, walking as much apart as we are together. If anyone were to notice us, I’m not sure they would be able to deduce if we are a group or four separate strangers. Fog hangs in the air, masking much of the greenery of the surrounding mountains as we continue through the chilly air.
“How much further do we have to hike?” Phoenix pants as the road climbs up the side of the hill.
Langston points to the top.
She sighs.
“I can give you a piggyback ride if you want?” Maxwell asks her.
We all freeze, not sure what Phoenix or Langston is going to do.
Phoenix grins. “Hell yea.”
“Dunn, is that a good idea?” Langston asks.
“I’m exhausted. I wasn’t made for climbing. So unless you are offering a ride, I’m taking Max here up on his offer.”
Langston rolls his eyes and continues climbing. Phoenix climbs on Maxwell’s back. I take up the rear.
“You smell good,” I hear Phoenix whisper to Maxwell, who chuckles gruffly.
Langston keeps walking like he didn’t hear her.
After an hour or more of hiking, we finally reach the sacred ruins.
“Now what?” Phoenix asks, still clinging to Maxwell’s back.
Langston stares back at me, like he thinks I have the next clue.
He’s right—I do.
My eyes scan the sight. It’s beautiful, eery with haze and clouds hanging low in contrast to the bright green grass and broken remains of stone buildings. There are a few tourists and locals milling about, but nothing compared to the hoards of the more famous ruins like Machu Pichu.
“This way,” I say, finding a trail to the right of the ruins and following it. I feel Langston fast at my heels as I head down the trail. I expect him to ask me questions about what comes next, but he doesn’t. He just follows closely with Maxwell and Phoenix struggling to catch up.
I stop abruptly when I spot the small cottage nestled in the rolling hills.
I look to Langston. I don’t know what to do next. He has the next clue.
He walks forward, taking the lead.