Haunted Land

There are only a few weeks left until the group of friends part ways and head off to post-secondary school, each embarking on their own journey. "Come on, Zoe!" Sophia pleaded, giving Zoe a rendition of puppy dog eyes. "August 1st is a long weekend! You and I...

Chapter 1

~ June 30th - 7:40 PM ~

Zoe paused her movement. Lifting her acrylic pen off her canvas. Pulling her attention away from her canvas. Blinking several times as she listened to her surroundings. Zoe tilted her head toward the door just as a knock echoed through her studio. Curious, she slipped the earbud out of her right ear and called out, “Who’s there!?”

The door creaked open just enough for Sophia to peek her head into the room. “Your mom said you were in here.” Pushing the door open so that she could walk fully into the room. Partly turning so that she could close the door behind her.

Sophia’s smile was infectious. At any second, it appeared like she was going to combust with excitement. Placing her acrylic pen down. Zoe mimicked her friend’s energy. Smiling from ear to ear, “Okay, what is up? You are grinning like the Cheshire Cat!” she exclaimed as she swivelled her desk chair to see her best friend better. Eager to listen to the news, she knew Sophia was holding onto it. Sophia’s enthusiasm was flowing off her body.

As Zoe had predicted, Sophia had burst with excitable energy. Knowing that she had the floor to pitch her exciting idea. Dashing across the short distance to Zoe’s bed. Sophia leaped onto Zoe’s single bed. With a bounce, Sophia exclaimed, “I have a plan!” A Mischievous smirk was on her face. With sparkling eyes, Sophia knew those four words would wipe the smile right off Zoe’s face.

Sophia watched Zoe roll her eyes into the back of her head. Mouthing, ‘Oh no!’ Sophia let out a small giggle as she watched Zoe closely, expecting this reaction. “Now, hear me out!” Sophia exclaimed. She raised both of her hands playfully in a defensive manner. “I know not all my plans are great! Maybe even close to being wild and outrageous!” she chuckled, knowing many times she had ideas that seemed like a good idea at the time. That ended up being the worst idea ever. “But just listen to my pitch, and then say yes!”

Groaning, Zoe tilted her head to the side. “Really?” She had raised her brow, causing her forehead to wrinkle. Pointing to her forehead, “You see those wrinkles? Those are my ‘what the fuck!’ wrinkles when I know you are going to try to drag us all into an awful situation.” She studied Sophia for a moment. “The phrase,” she snorted, using her hands to emphasize her point, “Now hear me out!” She shook her head from side to side. “That is the beginning of a bad idea!” she lightly continued to shake her head back and forth.

Sophia snorted before bursting into a belly laugh. “I know!” she chuckled, “but this is a really good idea.” She bounced against the mattress, making herself comfortable. “and considering you are not pushing me out the door, it tells me that you want to hear the pitch, so here I go ... This is our last summer we get to be kids!” Sophia glanced around Zoe’s room. Covering the walls was her artwork and the award that had gone with the art pieces. She stared up at the ceiling, her tone shifting to a sombre whisper. “The group is going in all different directions. Who knows when we’ll have time to see each other?” Sophia sat up quickly and crossed her arms over her chest. “And phone calls are not the same!”

Zoe’s expression was flat as she pointed out, “Don’t forget, there are holiday weekends! We will all be travelling back to see our family’s. I am sure that we will all meet up and have a coffee of something during that time.” She was reasoning with Sophia’s emotional needs.

“Why do things have to change!?” Grumbling, she began to mope, “That is not the same!” Bubbling to the surface of her being, a mixture of emotions was building. Each one she struggled to deal with. Sophia took a deep breath. The thought of separating from her friends had sent her into a panic attack.

Since she was a child, Sophia has always struggled with change and separation. Each change around her was viewed with disdain. It is an unwelcoming event. Things had to be gradual, slow to grow and move on. For months, her parents had spent the time moving her into the next transition of her life. Post Secondary education! This wasn’t only a huge change. It was life-altering. As the school year ended, she had been suffering with the idea that in 8 weeks, they would be heading in different directions. Knowing that they wouldn’t see each other every day sent her into a downward spiral of emotions she had been struggling with.

Zoe could feel her friend’s change in mood and could sense her anxiety. For a long time, Zoe knew Sophia had feared this day. New changes never came easily to her. Though countless people had reassured her that everything would stay the same, deep down, Sophia felt as if the group was splitting up forever--a thought she was struggling to cope with.

Swivelling back and forth, relaxing into her chair, thinking to herself, ‘What are BFF for if they don’t hold hand while skipping down the sidewalk?’ sighing out loud. Resigning to her friend’s wishes. “I am giving you five minutes to pitch your idea. This isn’t a yes ... just so you know!” Zoe could feel the energy change. Watching Sophia perk up.

Sophia had returned to her infectious smile. She exclaimed, “Remember those photos and stories about my parents’ cabin? The one just a few hours away?” Sophia held her thumb and index finger an inch apart to emphasize the short distance. “It’s a few hour’s drive north that leads to the cabin in the woods! I haven’t stepped foot there since I was about eight! But from what I remember there are no other places around. And technology won’t work there. So literally we are camping in the middle of nowhere but in a small version of a house.” She waved her hand as if brushing aside the memory like it was the first time she shared this story with Zoe.

Sophia took a moment to breathe, then continued. “Any.who! They’re thinking about selling the cabin. Mom said there’s no sense in holding onto something if we’re not using it. Dad isn’t fully on board with the idea. Mumbled about something that I couldn’t hear ... BUT! When I overheard this, a brilliant idea came to my mind,” she clapped her hands rapidly. “Before my parents put the place up for sale ... Why not gather you, me, and the whole gang for one last epic party before we dive into adulthood? I know that once I ask Daddy, he’ll be all in. I mean, how could Daddy ever say no to me?” She tucked a stray hair behind her ear, her smile widening to show off her excitement.

Zoe felt like her lungs had dropped into her stomach. “The cabin!?” The thought hit her like a brick. “Are you sure that the cabin is still safe to be used? That was like ten years ago when your parents were there?” Every instinct was going off. The fight-or-flight response was at full power, and she had this overwhelming need to run. Her inner being was screaming at her to say no!

Sophia could tell from Zoe’s facial expression that she wasn’t buying her idea. “From July 30th to August 2nd, we’re going to the cabin! There will be drinking, great food, laughter with our high school friends, and just being ourselves one last time.” She brought her hands together and flashed her signature smile that melted everyone’s hearts--everyone except Zoe! She was always more challenging to convince to join in. ‘Probably the only one who could say no and mean it!’ Sophia thought to herself.

Zoe pressed her lips together. ‘If I don’t have a good reason ... ARG, Sophia will find a hundred and one reasons to deflect my one hundred reasons not to go.’ she thought to herself. Zoe began closing her eyes. In the back of her mind, she mentally revisited the family pictures that someone had taken at their plot of land. Every time Zoe saw those images of Sophia and her family, a nagging feeling settled in--something about the land felt off. It tugged at her mind with an unsettling feeling that she could not understand despite being just photos. Zoe always gets the sense that no one is welcome on the land. It was as if something was intentionally preventing them from staying.

Since she was a little girl, Zoe has been sensitive to energy. She couldn’t explain it. Zoe just instinctively knew when it was time to leave or if it was safe to stay. She was also able to feel others’ emotions. At this moment, Sophia was determined to get her way. An overwhelming need to comfort her worried mind of negative thoughts.

She couldn’t say no straight out without an explanation. And her explanation was something she did not want to reveal. No one knew, not her handful of friends ... not even her parents knew that she was ‘different.’ “I need to think about this!” Zoe said apprehensively. She could not ignore the nagging feeling that if she went, something horrible was going to happen. ‘And there is no way I can tell Sophia. She would never believe me. She would call me crazy and send me to the loony bin!’ Zoe thought to herself bitterly.

Sophia watched as Zoe’s eyes lowered. She knew this was going to happen. Zoe always acted like this whenever she suggested anything social that pushed Zoe out of her comfort zone. For some reason, Zoe would always come up with excuses to avoid joining the group. Zoe would list a million reasons why she couldn’t go. While Sophia would find a million and one ways to persuade her otherwise. Sophia had honed this tactic since ninth grade, so she thought, “Okay, let’s make a list of the reasons you can’t go!” She smiled, ready for the challenge.

“Check this out!” Zoe swivelled in her chair, lifting the art piece she was working on. “This is my latest commission,” she said. “Lady Big Bucks saw this on my website. It needs to be completed before August 15th. She has already given me half the money, and when I finish, I will get paid the remainder.” She admired the work that she had completed in the last two weeks of working on it. For many, that seemed like more than enough time. For Zoe, however, deadlines and pressure were a curse and a blessing at the same time. With some commission, things ran smoothly. Finishing well before the due date. However, if there were even one misstep in her artwork, she would have to discard the entire project and start from scratch. The stakes were high, and she strived for perfection and nothing less.

Sophia understood the importance of the situation. Zoe had always been excellent in the art department, which set her apart from everyone else in high school. While everyone else was out having fun partying with their friends, Zoe would be in her room, working tirelessly on the commission piece that she was about to sell. She dreamed big and wished to see the world for all of its wonders and glory.

“Wow!” she exclaimed, standing up. “That is amazing!” The detail her friend had put into the art piece was phenomenal. Zoe had worked hard on the structure of the adult elephant, placing two calves near the adult elephant. Even the eyes felt as if they were real. Almost as if she could touch the majestic creatures. Sophia smiled and said, “This is surreal! I love it!” She handed the piece back to Zoe, knowing that if there were even a single smudge, Zoe would have to start over.

“This piece here is worth a thousand dollars. That’s a big deal--the beginning of my career. If I’m going to make it big in the art world, I have to be better than the best!” Zoe placed her work back on the desk and took a deep breath. “Who is going to join you in this grand sceme that you haven’t planned out very well?”

With a smile, she said, “You are the first person I have asked. I know I will be asking Lance too. I’m sure that with plenty of notice, he can get the August long weekend off. Considering this is our last summer to be carefree, we need this!” She wrapped her arms around her friend. “I know once I mention the cabin, drinks, and fun, the gang will be more than willing to join. It won’t be the same if you don’t come!” Sophia pouted, pushing her lower lip out. “Please!?”

Zoe filled her lungs with a deep breath, thinking, ‘I am going to regret this!’ “If I can get this commission finished, then I will go!” she said, refusing to say no outright. Nor could she fully agree to it. The nagging feeling still lingered, even if she couldn’t quite pinpoint why. It was clear to her that this was a terrible idea. Zoe couldn’t look Sophia in the eyes and tell her that something horrible might happen if she went ahead with this weekend-long trip.

“I will be telling everyone no cellphones or other electronics.” She shrugged, “for obvous reasons, they will not work. BUT!!! You can bring your antique camera!” Sophia wiggled her eyebrows playfully.

She exclaimed with her hand on her chest, “It isn’t that old!” A slow smile spread across Zoe’s face.

“Honestly,” Sophia erupted in belly laughter, “anything before Google is antique!” She laughed even harder, “I’m sure the museum would pay a hefty price just to show off what our parents had as they grew up.”

“So funny! HAHAHA!” Zoe’s smile widened as she bit her lip. “I’d love to add more photos to my collection!” She shrugged, bringing her shoulders up to her neck.

Hugging Zoe, Sophia felt she was getting closer to a ‘yes’ out of Zoe’s mouth. “It would also be a great way to capture the moment we transition from childhood to adulthood,” she said, smiling with extreme happiness. “I will even enlarge the pictures and cover my apartment walls with memories of the best weekend ever. I think that will help with the loss of the past and moving on into the future.”

Zoe motioned her head back and forth as she smiled. Wrinkling her nose, her mind went to ‘the group!’ Scratching her right ear, a gesture of uncertainty. “Are you inviting Don?” she frowned at the mere thought of having to be around him.

Snorting with displeasure, “NO! I only tolerate him because he is Lance’s friend. Don is a pig!” she sighed as she noticed she was getting snippy. “I don’t want to be that girlfriend that tells my man who he can and can not hang out with, so I say nothing. Though I have no idea why those two are friends.” Sophia placed her nose up in the air.

Zoe pushed the air out of her lungs, which she didn’t know she was holding. Her worries had been lifted. The sight of Don always gave her the sensation that bugs were crawling over her skin. He wasn’t just loud and obnoxious. Don always thought he was God’s gift to women. There was something ominous about him. It was like a Ted Bundy vibe. Each time he joined the group, she couldn’t stick around. “Remember, I haven’t said yes!”

Zoe glanced at her phone briefly, “Maybe is close enough for me!” She tapped her phone, “You need a coffee break! My treat, let’s go!”

Chapter 2

~ July 14th - 7:53 PM ~

She had spent the last two weeks endlessly working on the art piece. She knew it as well as Sophia; Zoe was in need of a break from her overworking. Stepping out of her room and into society for an hour or so would refresh her mind and rejuvenate her energy level.

Zoe surveyed the inside of the Tim Hortons coffee shop. Her gaze scanned the patrons lined up along the side of the counter. The fragrance of brewed coffee tickled her nose. With the scent of coffee, freshly baked muffins mingled with the smell. This created a welcoming atmosphere. The place was packed! Several separate conversations were happening. Though the customers spoke in a hushed tone, it was enough to irritate the inside of Zoe's ear. Rattling around her eardrum was the clattering of ceramic mugs hitting each other. Zoe felt an urge to scratch her ears until the irritation subsided.

Zoe had always struggled with noise pollution. Her mother said she was hypersensitive to any form of ruckus. Her mother often explained to friends and family that when Zoe would have to leave the location, the sounds overwhelmed her. When this happened, Zoe simply needed to step out to calm down.

Grabbing the earbuds from her pocket, she placed them in her ears. Giving her a reprieve from the noise that was going on inside of the building. Observing the area. Zoe couldn’t spot Sophia or Lance among the crowd. In her search for her friends, she picked up on the energy that was filtering off a woman at the back of the line. The customer was becoming increasingly impatient. Seconds after Zoe sensed this energy, the woman began tapping her foot on the floor, huffing and puffing in frustration at the slow-moving line.

'Most likely in a hurry to get nowhere!' A smile slowly grew on her face as Zoe rolled her eyes dramatically. She motioned her head lightly, side to side. Taking her attention off the line, Zoe searched the sitting area. One table at a time, she was hunting for her friends.

"Babe!" Sophia stood up from her spot, waving her arm in the air. "We're over here!"

Zoe shook her head with a smile, thinking, 'I could already see you before you yelled!' She walked past the tables toward them. Some of the patrons turned their heads as she passed them, so she could not ignore them. Pushing the air out of her nose, Zoe continued to move forward.

As Zoe pulled out a chair and sat down, Sophia exclaimed, "Large double-double, just the way you like it!" She had a warm smile as she slid the cup to her.

The warmth of the cup was inviting, accompanied by the fragrance of freshly brewed beans. Zoe studied her friends. Lance glanced at Sophia and then back at her. Sophia sat across from her, propping her head up with her hands. 'Here it comes!' Zoe thought, knowing the duo was about to pressure her into going on the trip. She was sure she should avoid it. The trip to Sophia's parents' cabin in the middle of nowhere.

As Sophia waited to take a sip of Zoe's coffee, she leaned into the table, barely able to contain her excitement. “So,” she began, “Lance and I were talking!” She held on to the syllables ‘ing’ as she fluttered her eyelashes several times.

"Sophia has done most of the talking!" Lance chuckled as he kissed the side of her head. "We both really want you to come on the trip."

'There it is!' Zoe kept smiling over the rim of the coffee cup, knowing any second they would pitch their plans. A means and a way to get a definite 'yes' out of her.

Lance continued speaking, "It won't be the same if you stay here while we have a blast at the cabin. So, we are going to establish a few ground rules." He squeezed Sophia's hand lightly, and his smile grew wider. "We know how much you like your rules and planning!" he added.

Sophia had cut in, "Actually Daddy had laid out a few ground rules. Anyone who can't follow the rules are not permitted to come on this little vacation. If at any point the invited choose to disregard the rules that have been stated, will be asked to immedeatly leave the property!"

Grinning from ear to ear, Lance says, "I believe you will like these rules!" He glances briefly at Sophia and then back at Zoe, sharing the same excitement Sophia is displaying.

In her mind, she growled like a dog. Blowing on the hot liquid, she said, "Okay, so what are the rules?" Zoe was inquisitive.

Sophia cleared her throat, and with a steady tone, she began to speak of the rules her father had stated were a must. "When the sun is no longer touching the cabin. No one is to go into the woods. Daddy wouldn't go into detail, but I think it is kind of self explanitory. Wild animals! The uneven terrain and just the plain fact we could get lost ... you know ... safety and all!" she shrugged her shoulders dramatically. "Daddy doesn't want anyone to get hurt."

Lance raised two fingers in the air, "Rule number two ... A no brainer!" he chuckled as if it were ridiculous that he had to say it. "We clean up after ourselves. The way things are is the way we leave things." He snorted as he looked at Sophia. "I can't believe your dad stressed this above everything else he said. Like we don't know how to tidy up things after ourselves."

Sophia smiled, turning her head to Lance. "Rule number three, we are at no time allowed to go into the northren part of the woods. Apperently we are to look for markers. They are etched into the bark or something like that. Again Daddy would not say why." she paused for a moment. "When I asked why we were not allowed to go in the northren woods, he got really scared and told me to not do it. Something about traps! I figure he had a bad experience with a hunters trap and it has stuck with him to this day." Sophia giggled. "Any.who! I told daddy we will look for the markers and make sure we stick away from where hunters like to kill the bears ... deers ... and rabbits!"

Lance chuckled as he remembered the conversation. "Don't forget that your father mumbled something about it not being safe! People always go missing when they go into the northern section of the woods."

"Hunters go missing because the get off the trails. Losing their scense of direction. Daddy is just being paranoid!" Sophia waved her hand up and down dismissively. "AND! this brings me to the next thing ..."

Lance had cut Sophia off from what she was going to say, "I think your dad is scared of the cabin!" Lance snorted, "I believe your dad is paranoiac, if you ask me!" He nuzzled his head into the crook of Sophia's neck. "Tell Zoe what your father said!"

Sophia playfully pushed Lance's head away. Laughing, "Stop it!" She couldn't help but smile. With this action, Lance pressed a kiss on the palm of her hand. "You won't believe what Daddy said!" Sophia exclaimed. "He claims," she dramatically paused. "The land is haunted! Can you imagine that?" Sophia laughed more as she shook her head back and forth with disbelief.

Zoe's eyes widened. Glancing at each of them rapidly, "What!?"

Chuckling, Lance said, "I told you this would get Miss Zoe's attention." Lance picked up his cup and began to drink his coffee. "Logan said that if the land has been disrespected, bad things happen!" He wiggled his fingers in the air. "Wooooow!" He imitated the sound of a cartoon ghost as he laughed. Spooky, isn't it?" He wiggled his eyebrows up and down rapidly.

She didn't want to dampen, but there was still that nagging feeling that she should try to stop them from going to this particular cabin. It was the looks Lance and Sophia gave her, and they showed so much enthusiasm for the upcoming trip. 'Can I really ruin this for them?' she thought before she began to speak. "I don't know!" Zoe lowered her cup to the table. The sound of the cup tapping on the table could be heard. Glaring at the duo, she lowered her gaze as she battled her inner emotions and thoughts.

With a playful laugh, "Come on, Zo!" Lance raised a brow, "Seriously you of all people ... believing in this hokus pokus! You are a logical thinker. Not someone who believes in an invisible man in the sky looking over ous." Lance chuckled and sighed at the same time. "You can't truely believe in that shit, do you?" Lance was skeptical of all and any paranormal claims.

Twiddling her fingers, Zoe glanced at Sophia and then Lance, diverting her sight back to her coffee cup. "There are just some things that can't be explained by science and logic," she mumbled, only for Lance and Sophia to hear.

Lance snorted, "How about a fragment of your imagination?" He leaned into the table, disbelief crossing his face as he observed his friend Zoe's reluctance to speak on the topic. Of all the people he knew, he always saw her as level-headed and critical of everything that came her way.

Zoe had breathed in and out, pushing a strain of hair behind her ear. She continued to stare at her coffee. Unsure if she should continue with this conversation or drop it entirely. "You shouldn't just dismiss a warning so easily!" Zoe raised her head. She had decided that she would speak her mind and leave it at that. It was not her job to convince anyone of the unseen. They would believe or leave to scrutinize things until they had their own experience. Something that broke all the rules that they had formed. "You are correct; with logical thinking, many things can be explained away as irrational beliefs brought on by fear of the unknown. But," she whispered, "Something can not!" Zoe glanced up and looked at Sophia, sadness in her eyes, "I have never liked the feeling that I get from the photo album. I know that they are just photos taken of a joyous occasion. But it isn't the happy faces that have me feeling uneasy. It is like the land doesn't like it when anyone is there. It isn't a good idea to go on a long weekend trip to 'that' cabin. We could rent a different place.

She wasn't going to change her plans because of a few spooky stories. Sophia was not a full believer in the unseen. "Come on, Zo!" Sophia reached across the table to place her hand on Zoe's, giving it a light squeeze. "I already told Daddy that only responsible young adults will be going to the cabin."

Dismissing Zoe's notion entirely, "Exactly, I haven't even mentioned this to Don. I will make sure I keep him out of the loop." Lance tried to sweeten the deal. He would not allow a few stories of the imagination to damper the thought of getting away from the city. Even if it were only for the weekend.

Forcing a smile on her face. Zoe was doing everything she could not to allow her eyes to fill up with tears. Breathing in deeply, "I am not getting a good feeling about this Sophia. I mean a 'realy' bad feeling. Like something will happen if I go there."

Patting her hand, she said, "You have gotten these feelings before. And most of them ... nothing happened! You 'always' had a great time!" Sophia cooed.

Zoe bobbed her head. It was true. That was because Lance and Sophia made sure that 'who' Zoe 'really' didn't like never had the chance to see nor speak to her. There were not many she disliked. Those like Don, she would either leave or Lance and Sophia kept them as far away as possible. Allowing all of them to have a good time.

Lifting the cup to her mouth, she thought, 'This is a horrible idea!' Her inner thoughts had warned her. Swallowing the liquid warmed her throat. "I still have to finish the commission."

"Besides," Sophia wrinkled her forehead, giving Zoe an unsure expression. "The last thing I had mentioned ... Daddy said we can't go..." She pointed at Zoe. "Unless you go! Daddy's last rule. He said he wanted a mature young adult there to ensure that the rules are followed."

Her eyes widened like saucers. 'FUCK!' Zoe hissed in her mind. She screamed 'no' rapidly in her mind.

Sophia gave Zoe her award-winning puppy-dog look, trying to win her over.

'Fuck! Fuckity ... fuck .. FUCK!' Zoe screamed internally, ‘This is such a VERY bad idea!’ Sighing, she replied, “As I said, I need to finish the commission before I can commit to such an adventure!” she said with a calm tone and straight face.

Sophia squealed with joy, “We're getting closer to a fun, long, EPIC weekend!”

Zoe said, “I didn't say yes!” as she mentally banged her head against the table and cursed every foul word she could think of in German, English and French.

“Maybe is better than no!” Sophia clapped her hands together like a little schoolgirl. “Finish up, and we will head for the trails. You need exercise after sitting at your desk for so long.” She wrapped her hands on the table as if she were playing the drums.

Chapter 3

~ July 16th - 4:48 PM ~

Zoe stepped out of her bedroom and found Sophia and her mother laughing together at the kitchen table. "Oh, there you are!" Zoe's mother exclaimed upon seeing her close the door. "Sophia and I were just talking about the trip to the cabin. I think it’s an incredible idea!" Her smile reached her eyes. "It would do you some good before you travel abroad."

Zoe groaned internally. 'Why now!?' she thought as she bit her lower lip nervously. Zoe realized that she hadn’t told Sophia about her plans to travel to Germany for a few months. The thought of spending time in a foreign country had been her secret for a few months. She had discussed the idea several times with Hannah, who lived in Germany. The details had been talked about. From the departure to the landing. The accommodations that were being arranged. It was a plan in the early stages of its making, but it was coming along nicely. With only a few things that needed to be ironed out. Zoe still had to wait for the visa she applied for three months ago, figuring it would take a few more weeks before the documents were delivered to her parent's place. The other issue she needed to resolve was securing the remaining funds to support herself while she was there, which this commission piece was intended to cover.

Smiling internally, 'My dreams are at my finger tips!' She thought to herself.

Zoe sighed as she considered what to say to Sophia. One thought leading into the next. 'I would have to break the news sooner or later!' the realization struck her. She was happy about taking the leap into her dreams. At the same time, there was a ping of regret.

One of Zoe’s biggest dreams, aside from becoming a well-known artist, was to travel the world. A dream her parents had also cherished but never had the chance to pursue. With friends in various countries, this dream felt more achievable.

Yet, as she glanced over at Sophia, Zoe noticed the hurt in her eyes. Behind the pretence of bravado, there was a scared little girl who did not like the thought of the unknown. 'Sophia will have to except sooner or later that the world doesn't revolve around her.' a tiny voice screamed in her head. 'No! that isn't fair, she struggles and I, as her best friend, should be more compassionate about things.' her subconscious scolded her.

This was one of the reasons she had decided not to tell Sophia sooner; she might have misinterpreted the situation, believing that Zoe wanted to move there permanently. This disposition came from Sophia's separation anxiety, plus her struggles with accepting significant changes. 'Germany is one of the top five places to go to become a world-renowned artist!' a chipper little voice spoke up in Zoe's head. Feeding her the thoughts of studying abroad at one of the top academies to improve her skills.

Unable to maintain her inner actions, Zoe inwardly rolled her eyes, knowing it wasn’t exactly a change but merely a life experience. Nothing anyone would call earth shattering! However, Sophia would view it as life-altering. There is a good chance that Zoe would not be around for the Thanksgiving holiday. Not being able to see her as Sophia had expected would likely send Sophia into a downward spiral. Something Zoe figured Lance could manage.

Zoe had wished that her mother would have kept her mouth shut. She did intend to break the news to Sophia. Zoe had many plans that had bounced around in her mind. However, she was leaning more towards telling Sophia as she bought the tickets. That way, it would have been a done deal. Meaning that Sophia could not persuade her to stop and make her feel guilty for wanting to travel. Something she was sure Sophia would try.

"Mom," Zoe said, ensuring her tone remained calm, "I haven’t finalized the details of that conversation. There’s far too much to consider to just up and leave." She stepped closer to the small table where her mother and friend were seated. "I know I want to travel the world; I just want to make sure everything is in order. With every 't' crossed and every 'i' dotted. A lot of preparation goes into these adventures." Zoe felt breathless after her rant.

Zoe could see Sophia's uneasiness; she could also feel her friend's emotions beginning to spiral out of control. Her mother might not understand, but Zoe did. "Sophia, I was going to tell you, I promise!" she thought, 'When I was on the plane.' She placed her hand on Sophia's. "I was still going to follow the plan. The only difference would have been," Zoe paused to let Sophia’s emotions calm. "The location and time zone!" she finished with a reassuring smile. Hoping Sophia would accept her explanation and the logic of her thought process.

'Everything is moving too quickly!' Sophia's original reaction bounced around in her mind. 'No! We are all going to different schools for post-secondary education.' the logical side kicked in. 'but I thought Zo would stay in her room and work on her commissions!' Her inner thoughts whined. Sophia forced a smile. "You have always said that you wanted to travel!" She swallowed the saliva that was building in her mouth. "You are, and always will be, the planner of precautions. You are going to have the time of your life!" She took a deep breath. In the back of her mind, Sophia had a small hope that Zoe was speaking without ever meaning to follow through with her words, like so many people do. Thinking to herself, 'Zo has never been one of those people who talk and never try to find a way to make things happen.' Though she could feel the tears building in her eyes, she forced her smile to say other words. "I demand to see lots of pictures!"

Noticing the slight change in the atmosphere. "It’s good to be prepared and aware of everything, my dear." Zoe's mother had her gentle hand on her daughter's back. "But there’s also something called hyperfixation. You remember what Dr. Collins said?" Her mother gave her a knowing look, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "You’re almost 19 years old. It’s time for you to leave the nest and create memories of your own." She recalled the many places that she had wanted to see in her youth. Her parents had stopped her from doing so. Telling her she needed a career if she was to go anywhere in life. She didn't want that for her daughter. From the point Zoe had said travelling the world, she made sure to fill her daughter's head with ideas of seeing the several wonders of the world. Never settle for a mediocre lifestyle. "And your adventure can start with going with your friend to the cabin." There was a sparkle of excitement in her mother’s eyes.

Zoe narrowed her gaze at Sophia; her face displayed a neutral expression, often referred to as a 'resting bitch face.' Inside, Zoe was frustrated with Sophia for involving her mother in this situation, knowing there was only one person she couldn’t say no to, her mother. She was also irritated at her mom for opening her mouth about her plans for Germany.

Breathing slowly, Zoe pulled out a chair and sat down, not wanting to reveal her true feelings.

“Come on, Zo, it will be a blast! Good friends!" Sophia began listing all the fun things that would happen. "Great food!" She held up two fingers in the air. "Memories that you can capture!" she cooed. "And most of all, lots of laughter!"

Zoe smirked. 'You forgot the booze!' "I still have to finish the commission," she reminded Sophia.

Waving dismissively, Zoe's mother said, "I have seen your work. That little project is almost completed. You're just stalling and being stubborn. Just say yes. I will make sure Mrs. Bedford receives her ordered item." she had her hands on her hip. The expression on her face that said, 'don't try me little girl!' "You worry over nothing. Remember what Dr. Collins said?"

Zoe glared down at her hands, feeling the frustration building. Blowing the air out of her lungs, she resigned to the inevitable. Deep down inside her body, she knew there was no way she could avoid Sophia's parents' cabin. An inspirational thought entered her mind. 'What if my cup of water should tip over and ... may.be spilled on the canvas?' breathing in and out, 'I really don't want to start it all over again!' she thought as she raised her eyes to Sophia. "Fine!" she whined, saying the word slowly. Deep down, she knew she was making the worst decision of her life.

Sophia leaped out of her chair. Screeching so loud that Zoe had to cover her ears. Pressing her hand to her mouth, Sophia said, "Sorry!" She wrinkled her face and shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe I had a little too much excitement in that squeal of joy!"

Zoe's dad entered through the main door with a smile on his face. "What is going on here?"

With both her hands on Zoe's shoulder, "Zoe is going on vacation with her friends to Sophia's family cabin," Zoe's mother exclaimed with a smile.

"That's nice!" he said, pecking his wife on the lips. "Are you guys going to be drinking the wobble pop?"

Sophia hitched her breath. "Absolutely not!" she lied.

"How about the special grass?" he asked as he kissed Zoe on the top of her head to say hello.

Lying again, "No, sir!" Sophia was unsure if Lance would try to sneak in some Mary- Jane to the party.

He continued to move his feet forward to his bedroom. "I know the boys are going ... Sex?" Zoe's father said the word slowly.

Instantly, Sophia and Zoe had gone red in the face. "Mr. Godfrey, we would never!" Sophia acted offended by the very idea.

Shrugging his shoulders as he made his way further into the apartment, Zoe’s dad said, "Your party is going to be so lame! Back in my day..."

"When the dinosaurs roamed freely, and your parents had no idea where you were!" Zoe said, bursting into laughter.

Slowly, Zoe's dad turned around with a playful, shocked expression. Dramatically, he had his hand placed on his chest. "I am not as old as your grandparents!" he pointed out, laughing. "We had bush parties, great music, lots of drugs, and oh, how we got plastered?"

Snickering, Zoe replied, "That was probably when the cops were called, and you all scattered in different directions for underage drinking!"

Pointing at his daughter, he said, "Yes! And it made for a good story to tell you at bedtime when you were a kid." He was playfully joking around.

"Conor!" Zoe's mother put her hand on her hip, tilting her head to the side. "You did not!"

"Summer of '69, red Cadillac on the highway to love!" Zoe referenced the first time her parents kissed on the hood of her father's car. Supposedly, the plan was to watch the sunrise, but what actually happened was a lot more risqué, and her father would never talk about it. With a good imagination, Zoe was able to figure things out.

Zoe lowered her head the second her mother said her father's full name, snickering. "That is what led to the creation of me. You just had to do a lot of practicing!"

To change the subject, Sophia tapped her fingers on the table as if she were playing the drums. "So, Zo, are you able to make the detailed plans for the long weekend getaway?" she asked, her face turning red.

"Text me the address and the time you want to be there, and I can have it done!" Zoe responded with a forced smile.

Zoe's father pointed at her with a playful smile, "This party is going to benefit you," he huffed out loud as he motioned his head from one side to side, "Sometimes you are too serious! You need a bit of fun in your life! Loosen up a bit!"

Zoe forced a smile onto her face to hide the turmoil she felt. 'This is going to be a disaster!'