Crossroads

Robert Ravers led the group along the path, casually strolling along without a care in the world, whistling. To an outsider, he didn’t look like he cared much about finding the missing girl at all. He did care though, but Robert was a pragmatist. She was unlikely to be found just sitting along the main path. So, until they found some clue or indication of where she went, or reached the caves, he figured he may as well enjoy the gentle breeze and the evening forestry scenery. It’d been a while since he’d had the opportunity to hike this trail and with his busy life it might be another while before it happened again.

Beside him, Monica Bishop was a sight of concern and worry. Partly for Victoria. As a mother, she could imagine the panic and distress it would cause Richard and Olivia to find out that their daughter had went missing. Monica didn’t know the Walkers well, though she knew them from around the town, but she knew how she would feel if someone came to her and told her that her son or daughter had went missing during an unsupervised trip to the woods. For her own peace of mind and for the peace of mind of her parents, she was determined to find Victoria Walker.

Though her worry was only partly for Victoria. She felt selfish and disgusted that, at a time like this, she would be worried about her own circumstances. Just walking next to Robert Ravers was making her body feel warm and tingling. She felt certain that nothing would happen, not with her son behind her and Robert’s daughter staring daggers at her. But she also couldn’t deny that some part of her wanted it to happen. Ever since the kiss in the bedroom, Monica had been horny and it hadn’t gone away. If she could just make it until she got hope, perhaps Gregory could deal with it, or if he was working, her favourite 12 inch dildo might do the trick, despite her craving for something just a little more warm blooded.

“How is Gregory these days?” Robert broke the silence between the two, casually asking as if they’d just bumped into each other in the supermarket. “How’s work treating him?”

“Cardiothoracic surgery is as busy as it’s ever been. There’s no shortage of patients, and there’s new research being done in the field every day, so he also spends a lot of time reading up on new measures and techniques,” Monica replied, somewhat flustered by the sudden question about her husband by a former lover. “On top of that, he recently took on a new fellow and training her has been demanding.”

“Greg always did love his work,” Robert agreed. “Sometimes to the point of rarely having time for anything else.”

“Hey, now, what are you implying?” Monica hissed. “He’s not neglecting me or my family, I’ll have you know.”

“I wouldn’t dream of implying that,” Robert soothed her, holding up his hands in a ‘don’t shoot’ sort of fashion. “Only that, on the occasions I have spoken to him, he only seemed to talk about work, though he was very enthusiastic.”

“Yes, well, it’s a very time-consuming field,” Monica admitted, reining in her temper. “And I know better than anyone how difficult hospital environments can be even in the best of times. It’s not just patients, but staff members and having to answer to the board. These days everything comes down to money, and there never seems to be enough to go around.”

“If there’s anything you need, just say the word,” Robert said with a smile. “I’d be glad to make a donation towards the hospital.”

“Hm, yeah, and what would I be required to do in return for this money?” Monica glowered at the taller man, trying to maintain her anger as she admired his chiselled, manly features.

“Not a thing,” Robert replied with a light laugh. “Even if I were that type of man, I know that you’re not that type of woman, Mon. Honestly, it’s win-win for me. I get good PR from donating to a worthy cause, and I get to help a friend.”

“A friend,” Monica repeated. “Is that what I am to you now?”

“In spite of anything else, I’ve always considered you a friend,” Robert said.

Monica smiled, feeling her body relax. “Even though we haven’t spoken in years?”

“I don’t have many friends,” Robert told her. “If I discounted someone just because we hadn’t spoken in a while, all I’d have is Heather and my employees.”

“I’m not sure,” Monica said with a frown. “I don’t know if we could ever just be friends.”

But before Robert could pull at that thread, the pair of adults came upon the demon’s rock, an enormous erected stone, misshapen and discoloured from years of weather, a man-made landmark to denote the crossroads they’d arrived at. It was here that at least some of the group would part ways.

“So, we’re going this way,” Kurt announced as the teens caught up with the parents and moving towards the rightward path.

“Are you sure you’re okay to go off on your own?” Monica asked, acting the mother. “We don’t want any more missing teens.”

“We’ll be safe,” Kurt assured her. “The waterfall isn’t far away and I know this trail well enough.”

“Besides, he has me to keep him right,” Lisa insisted. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Bishop, I’ll take care of him.”

“Good girl, Lisa,” Monica smiled at her son’s ex-girlfriend. “I always could trust you.”

Beaming, Lisa turned and followed Kurt off along the right trail, deeper into the woods. The other four turned towards the left, beginning their surmount of the steeper, grassier path, heading towards the caves, and where Victoria had last been seen.