Part Forty-Three

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The rest of the day was spent collecting wood and working on the traps. The wood-gathering group went back and forth, and once there was a good amount stockpiled at the camp, Dusk stayed with Gracia, Bluebell, and Hollyshock to help build.

It took the CBers a while to figure out how to put together the boards and vines, but once they got the hang of it, the process went smoothly. They created an assembly line, frequently referencing the blueprints to make sure they were doing everything right.

“I think those pieces have to be tied together,” Gracia pointed out, peering over Holly’s shoulder. “Otherwise it’ll fall apart when we attach it to the other side.” Since her arm was still hurt, Gracia was acting as a supervisor for the others.

Holly nodded and fixed the offending boards, wrapping a length of thin vine around them. “Got it, thanks.”

They had already completed one of the three traps they planned to build, and it was in place across the main path on the other side of the pond. Gracia was fairly confident that it would work, but the moment of truth wouldn’t come until Sylvia returned. They hadn’t wanted to test it, for fear that someone would get hurt or that they wouldn’t be able to reset the trap.

As Dusk checked over the piece she was working on, she heard a voice from the other side of the clearing. “We’re back!” She looked up to see Agent Winter, Jubilee, and Goldie, with Sapphire following in their wake.

She raised a hand in greeting. “Great! And with lots of wood, I see.” Indeed, the group was carrying a large amount of wooden boards.

“How are things going back here?” Goldie asked, walking over to take a look at their work.

“Pretty well,” Bluebell responded cheerfully. “We’ve got one finished, it’s over there.” She waved a hand at the other side of the pond.

Jubilee squinted. “I can’t see it.”

Winter rolled her eyes. “That’s the point.”

Ignoring them, Goldie looked up at the sky. The sun was beginning to dip down towards the horizon, and the clouds were tinged pink. “It’ll be dark before long,” she remarked. “Let’s all stay and help build- we’ll see what we can get done before nightfall.”

Everyone agreed, and Gracia gave them a quick overview of how to assemble the different components. The CBers settled themselves into the assembly line, and they all got back to work.

They got in about another hour of work before it grew too dark to see clearly. When Gracia told them all to call it a day, Holly gratefully put down the piece she was working on and rubbed her eyes. She’d been doing the same task for several hours, and there were a few splinters in her hands from the rough wood.

“I’ll start a fire!” Goldie volunteered, and Holly followed her and the other CBers over to the firepit. As the Palace Keeper worked on that, Bluebell rummaged in one of the supply bags and began distributing granola bars.

“Bon appetit,” she said, grinning tiredly.

Holly, starving, devoured her first granola bar, then picked at her second. The fire was crackling merrily now, and it seemed to lift everyone’s spirits a little.

“I’m exhausted,” Dusk said, collapsing on the ground next to Holly, who looked up.

“Me too,” she replied. “It feels like so much has happened today.” So much had happened- had it been only that morning that the CBers swam in the pond, happy and almost carefree?

Dusk nodded. “Do you realize it was only two days ago that we were in the palace?”

Holly hadn’t realized until now how much she’d missed the palace. It had made her feel safe, protected. Even with the murderer on the loose, it was better than being out here in the woods, where danger could be lurking behind any tree. Back in the palace, life was secure and predictable. Out here, they had no idea what each new day would bring.

She realized that her eyes were brimming with tears and quickly swiped them away. Dusk shot her an understanding smile, then turned back to the fire. Holly noticed Gracia and Win sitting together on the other side of the flames, whispering about something. As she watched they seemed to come to a conclusion, and they beckoned Jubi over to join their conversation. Holly’s curiosity was piqued, but she didn’t ask any questions. She was sure that the group would share when they were ready.

After each CBer had consumed several granola bars, it was time for bed. They returned to their respective tents, and within ten minutes the entire camp was asleep.

Except one.

One CBer was awake in their tent, lying still so as not to wake their tentmate. A million thoughts were going through the murderer’s head. In all honesty, they hadn’t expected the other CBers to think of using the traps. They could see now that it had been a mistake to give them the blueprints- they’d just needed an incentive for the coin game. They regretted the decision, but it was too late now.

I could always sabotage the traps, they thought, but dismissed the notion almost immediately. No, it’s too risky. I could be caught, then everything would fall apart. They took a deep, slow breath. And I can’t let that happen.

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Thanks for your comments! It really means a lot to know people are reading and enjoying the story, you guys are wonderful! This part is a little short, but the next one should be on the longer side. Have a great weekend!

this is amazing! 

so far i think gracia and i are both pretty s u s. also, calamum vesperum translates to pen evening??? i forget if if we already knew that :P