Formulating a Plan of Action

In the time it took for Robert Ravers to fire up the grill, cook the meat and for the group to eat their meal, served with a salad prepared by Monica Bishop, a few hours passed. It was becoming clear to everyone in the cabin, not just Heather, that Victoria Walker might not be returning by her own volition. A silent, nervous, hush fell over the dinner table as the last person finished their food, cutlery clanging as it was laid down upon the plate. Everyone glanced towards the clock, or their watches, realising how much time had passed, the worry for their friend intensifying. Some were eager to take action, while others attempted to maintain a sense of normality, fending off the looming sense of panic.

“That was really good.” Kurt covered his mouth as he burped. “Thank you, Dr. Bishop, Mr. Ravers.”

“You don’t have to call me Dr. Bishop outside of the hospital,” Monica laughed softly. “I suppose, you being the only one at college, you don’t get a good home cooked meal often.”

“Yeah, but it really makes you appreciate it when you do,” Kurt patted his full belly, and looked over at Hannah Woodesen. “Though I’m not the only one at college. Don’t you miss home cooked meals too?”

“It’s always nice to eat food that someone else prepared,” Hannah replied with a shrug. “But I know how to cook for myself.”

“I’ve tasted your cooking,” Ashley noted from beside her sister. “No, you don’t.”

“Hey, I’m sure I could teach you a thing or two,” the older blonde insisted.

A cough from Gavin made the whole table look his way. Averting his eyes, uncomfortable with the attention, he asked, “Not to interrupt, but shouldn’t we start looking for Victoria now?”

“Gavin’s right,” Heather agreed from the other end of the table. “We’ve wasted enough time as is.”

“I don’t think being well-fed is a waste of time,” Lisa argued, glad to have quenched the grumbling of her stomach. “We’re all far more refreshed and reinvigorated to do something about Victoria’s disappearance.”

“I’m sure that’ll be very comforting to Vicky, when we find her,” Ashley growled across the table.

“There’s no need to turn on teach other,” Robert spoke up. “I don’t think we wasted our time, but the boy is correct. We should decide what to do next.”

“His name is Gavin,” Heather informed her father upon seeing Gavin turn red at being called ‘the boy’. “And isn’t it obvious what we should do? We need to go out and search for her.”

“We need to decide who goes and who stays, and how many,” Robert explained. “If we take everyone, it’ll slow us down. And with such a large group, someone could easily get lost again.”

“Then the three of us who know the trail should go,” Heather suggested. “You, me and Kurt.”

“I don’t think it’s wise to go alone,” Monica countered. “If some of you need to split up to check different trails, you’d get separated from the rest. Then, assuming you find her, it would be much easier to apply emergency care or move her with two people, rather than one.”

“Good point,” Robert concurred. “You can come with me then, Monica.”

“I…I suppose that would be acceptable,” Monica consented, though she noticed Heather frowning as she did so.

“I want to come too,” Zack volunteered. “I need to get out of this cabin and get some fresh air.”

“Well, Kurt…I could come with you?” Chloe offered.

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I think you should stay here with Gavin.”

Though he was avoiding having that conversation with her, he also genuinely thought it would be better for Chloe to stay with her boyfriend. Gavin seemed, to Kurt, quite worried about Victoria’s well-being. They all were, but Gavin more so, which Kurt could only attribute to his feeling guilty about leaving the blonde in the woods alone. Kurt felt responsible too; it was his plan that had gotten Gavin to leave Victoria alone, and god only knows what happened to her after that.

“Oh…” Chloe said, dejectedly. “I see.”

Ashley fidgeted. She wanted to go too, to find her best friend. But the fact that Zack was going, and specifically to get some space from the cabin and the events of the day, made Ashley feel as though she couldn’t join the group. But wasn’t her concern for her best friend more important than Zack at this moment? Ashley debated with herself, battling over whether to stay or go. In the end, the decision was taken out of her hands.

“Well, you can’t go alone.” Lisa said. “I’ll come with you.”

“Fine,” Kurt relented. “So, now we’ve assembled our teams, do we just head out?”

“No, you dolt,” Heather retorted. “We need to get supplies. We can use the rucksacks from earlier, but we’ll need to make one up for my dad. And check to make sure they have flashlights. It might get dark, or we may need to venture into the caves.”

“I’ll take a look at the first aid supplies we’re bringing as well,” Monica offered. “If there’s anything else that we might need, I can get it from my medical bag in the car.”

“While you all do that, I’m going to take some Vicodin for my knee. It always acts up when I go hiking for long periods,” Robert said, standing. “The pills are still in the car, Hannah?”

“Yes, sir,” she replied.

With everyone mobilised, the group sprang into action. Zack and Kurt found a third backpack while Chloe and Gavin gathered everything that Heather said they needed. Ashley checked that every rucksack had a flashlight, while Hannah found a third flashlight for the Robert’s backpack, as well as extra batteries. Meanwhile, Monica checked the medical supplies in the bags, making sure that they were carrying the essentials. They wouldn’t be able to do much in a life of **** situation, but they at least might be prepared to deal with minor injuries or postpone any damage until paramedics could arrive. Lisa found the first aid kit from the cabin and brought it to the doctor.

Because they all pitched in, it only took a few minutes to gather up everything they needed for this emergency recovery exploration. Not being needed, Ashley excused herself to the bathroom, still feeling unsettled even after eating, though she still put it down to gulping down cum straight out of Lisa’s little asshole. While she left, Heather plotted the course their group should take, deciding that one group should go to the waterfall, while two groups should go to the caves, in the event they needed to split off further inside the caves. Kurt offered to go to the waterfall again, as Monica helped him on with his rucksack, and Lisa assisted Zack with his. Hannah put away the cabin’s first aid kit, while Gavin and Chloe began clearing the kitchen table of their empty plates.

As Robert re-emerged from outside, Heather asked, “Ready to go?”

“Just as soon as I use the bathroom.” Robert stated.

“Ugh, you’re worse than a woman,” Heather teased. “The Master ensuite should be free.”

Several minutes later, Robert returned, insisting that he was now completely set to head out. Heather helped him on with his backpack, while Hannah handed out bottles of water to everyone. Gavin and Chloe watched on, wishing they could be more helpful, but understanding that it would be inconvenient and dangerous for everyone to go. Though, Chloe couldn’t quite understand why Kurt was being so cold to her suddenly. Maybe he genuinely didn’t want her out on the trail where something might happen to her, or where she might see Victoria, if the worst had happened. The redhead could only hope that it was concern that was plaguing the older teen. She absolutely needed to have a serious discussion with him…but that would have to wait, at least until they returned, hopefully with Victoria.

So, for the second time that day, six people began their hike, waving and saying goodbye to those left behind.