Chapter Four

It didn’t take long for the luggage and groceries to be brought in and packed. The Loft was huge. The couches were similar to the ones in Margaret’s study except they had green stripes; two single green upright wing chairs placed against the wall near the fireplace all surrounding a white rectangular table. Just round the corner in another room was the dining hall with a bar table in the corner and then the kitchen. Sliding doors from the lounge and the dining hall opened up onto a balcony, entertainment area and to the farmland, lakes, and the mountains beyond. Adjacent to the Loft were six log cabins each with its own en-suite bathroom, double bed, bar fridge, study table and chair with two single black soft chairs, TV mounted on the wall, and a fireplace.

“How did you come by this place?” Mark asked. He and Hayley were seated on the couch opposite the fireplace sharing a warm blanket.

“My flatmate recommended this place. She said that her family came here last year December but she couldn’t get off work. Her family said that they really enjoyed this place.” Sarah said thoughtfully, positive she had already told him. “I looked on the internet and found a few places. Usually, the prices are quite high but this is out of season and closer to the mountains.”

“And a great choice,” Joel seated himself next to Sarah holding a beer and pulled her closer to him. “How are you feeling?” He kissed her forehead, then her lips.  “I’ve wanted to do that all day.” He said, stretching his legs out onto the table.

“I never thought I’d be thankful for a warm beer,” Mark laughed.

As the room slowly grew colder, Joel added more wood to the fire and watched it anxiously take the wood; rising, licking, and crackling against the night air.

“Did anyone read the brochures?” Mark asked breaking the awkward silence.  He began to feel a bit lightheaded whether from the beer, the long drive, or the night air he wasn’t sure. “I’ve never tried mountain hiking before.”

“Me too,” Sarah looked at Mark and noticed he had three ear piercings on each ear.

“Did you even listen to what the old lady said?” Hayley asked. “We need a tour guide we can’t go on our own.”

“Babe, that’s not what I meant.” He sighed. Looking at Hayley he said. “Actually that’s not such a bad idea.  Imagine how it would be in the forest, on our own, the stars above.”

“Yeah, and freezing our butts off.” Hayley laughed. “I didn’t know you were such a romantic.”

“Not on our own,” Joel said. “I’ve seen a few missing people pictures when I went to that Super Store in Underberg.” He paused, “And they didn’t go missing that long ago either.”

“I really want to go to that Halloween parade.” Hayley yawned. “C’mon, guys it’s on Saturday night and we don’t have to stay long.”

“Let’s see how things go, ok Hayley?” Sarah moved closer to the fireplace and pressed her hands together.

“Fine,” Hayley pursed her lips and brushed a strand of her honey-blond hair behind her ear.

“Besides,” Sarah said. “We came here so we could all have fun and enjoy our time together. The parade is quite a drive away so it won’t be very practical to drive so late on these roads. Especially after what Margaret said about the disappearances.”

“Well, I’m keen on that sheep pen tour.” Mark said, “The old lady - I mean, Margaret said we could have a tour.”

“Sheep are not my thing.” Joel took a long swig of his beer. “I’d rather watch a rugby game but...sure, why not.”

“What sheep pen tour?” Sarah asked.

Hayley explained the conversation with Margaret earlier.  “Why don’t we go see Margaret tomorrow after breakfast and arrange the tour?”

They sat in silence listening to the crackling of the fire enjoying the silence and solitude.

The morning air was crisp, the mountains looked soft in the distance and the ground was beautifully covered in frost. Sarah shivered and stepped away from her cabin. She was sure the others would be at the Loft already as it was already nine o’clock.

“Hey, wait up,” Hayley said catching up with Sarah. She was out of breath.

“I thought you’d be in the Loft already.”

“Well, uh, maybe I spent the night in Mark’s cabin and rushed to my cabin this morning and...”

Sarah laughed, “Okay, spare me the details. I’m hungry let’s see if the guys have cooked up anything besides toast.” She placed an arm over her friend’s shoulder.

“Isn’t this place beautiful, Sarah?”

“Yes,” she nodded with a smile. “I could get used to this every day.”

“Yeah, absolutely. And just forget about everything.”

“Hayley, what do you think of Joel?”

“What do you mean?” Hayley was taken aback.

“I meant to ask you a little while ago and well, I really like him and we’ve been going out for a long time. He thinks we should take things to the next level you know.” She glanced at Hayley thoughtfully. “I don’t know, what would you do? What do you think I should do?”

Hayley stopped walking. “Sarah, it doesn’t matter what I think. You must do what you think is right. Joel is a good guy and you are good together. I can’t tell you what you should do.”

“It’s alright.” Sarah felt embarrassed, “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked.”

“You’re my best friend Sarah, of course you should ask me.” Hayley said leaning forward to meet her friend’s gaze. “And, it’s my duty to support you.”

“You’re a nut, you know that?”

“Yes, and you love me for it.”

Laughing they made their way to the Loft.

The unmistakable smell of bacon, sausages and toast filled the Loft. The four were seated at the dining hall table enjoying a Man’s breakfast, as the guy’s called it. Burnt toast, over cooked bacon, sausages and scrambled eggs. They forgot the baked beans.

“How did you get the nickname maths nerd?” Joel asked Mark. “No means to offend but you don’t look like what I would have called someone in my day at school a maths nerd.”

Mark raised an eyebrow at Joel. “I suppose it’s because I’m a genius and decided to become Goth when I was twelve.” His hair was the same spike style as yesterday and he wore only black. “I don’t think someone like you would understand.” He indicated the complete difference between the two of them. "I never fitted in and it made me an easy target, met a guy who showed me there was a better way.” He paused, no one said a word staring at him. His boldness took them all by surprise. “I was given the name in Primary school by winning the Provincial Maths Olympiad and the name stuck. I don’t mind.” He shrugged. “There are worse names.”

“I’m sorry.” Joel felt embarrassed and wished he hadn’t asked the question.

“Despite what my parents think, I think I turned out pretty well.” He opened his arms, hands facing the ceiling, and leaned back in his chair. “My grades are good, I have friends and I know what I want to do and where I want to go.”

“I wish I could say the same.” Hayley looked down playing with the remainder of her breakfast. “My father died of cancer when I was very young so I don’t remember much of him. My Mom married this idiot and then things went bad.” She looked away. “I don’t know what I want to do.”

“Don’t worry.” Sarah reached out and held Hayley’s arm to try comforting her. “You’ll figure it out. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”

“What about you Sarah?” Mark asked. “Are you going to become a Doctor like your boyfriend?”

“Not exactly.” She said. “I plan on becoming a Vet so in a way yes, an animal doctor.” She leaned forward resting her chin on the palm of her hand. “So, tell me more about this sheep pen tour.”

“Margaret said she would arrange a tour of her farm if we wanted to explore the place. She has sheep and is willing to take us around.” Mark said beginning to clear up the table.

“I think we should do it,” Hayley said. “I’m always up for something new.” Turning to Joel she said. “I saw you playing Lego Warcraft on your phone. Dillan said you and he team up now and again.”

He turned a deep shade of red. “What? So what if I’m secretly a gamer.”

“Oh?” Sarah commented. “Since when did you start gaming again?”

Hayley looked embarrassed. “Sorry guys, I didn’t mean –“ she stopped mid-sentence when she saw Sarah’s angry face. “Sarah, it’s not a big deal?”

She folded her arms. “It is a big deal when your boyfriend, an ex-gaming addict, constantly makes excuses on Whatchat that he is busy all the time.” Sarah’s lower lip was quivering. “I always assumed you had sports practice or studying to do.”

“I was busy.” He looked away. “Sarah, it really isn’t a big deal.”

“Well,” Mark said taking the last of the plates. “I have a camera that is dying to start taking shots of this place.”

Without saying a word Sarah turned and left the dining hall.

"Let her go," Hayley said and stopped Joel from going after her. “Give her a bit of time to cool off. Why don't we go see Margaret about that tour.”