Fly Away

Smith wandered back from the microphone and stood there for a moment, looking at the priest nearing the stand.

“Let’s pray together.” – he said into the microphone as soon as he came.

In almost a trance Smith walked off the stage, feeling dizzy. The girl standing in the front row saw him wander and almost ran to him.

“Hey, you’re good? Where are you going?”

He glanced at her blonde hair mixed with black and said while rubbing his face.

“Oh, Josephine. Yeah, I’m good, just to the bathroom, need to wash my face.”

He suddenly rushed forward and disappeared, turning into the corner of the hallway. Josephine turned around and kept looking at him until he went away.

“Please everyone, pray with me!” – the priest said louder, and Josephine went back. She closed her eyes and held her hands together saying the first words of the prayer.

…

The first day.

‘Charlie?’

A big group neared the forest from the bay far away and stopped before entering. The man in front turned back to the group and said with a megaphone:

“Thank you all for coming guys! My name’s Isaac, I’m the head of the operation. We are on the south side of the Menny forest, and we’ll be exploring the west side today, be attentive and alert, stay near each other. Let’s get to work.”

Smith looked at the forest behind Isaac with high green trees which created a dark ambiance as he looked further.

“I really hope you’re here, Margo.” – he said quietly.

They spread out on the west side, covering it completely. Day time made it easier for them to start the search and take the first steps into the forest.

“Go, Atlas! Go!” – Smith said walking on the left side of the group. Atlas ran forward and stopped, sniffing something as it got his attention. Smith was walking up to him, curious.

“Hey, you’re holding up?” – a female voice sounded behind him.

“Wow, you scared me Josey, why would you sneak up on me like that. I’m… holding up, I guess.”

“Yeah,” – she said and looked at him for a moment, then spoke again. – “I’m sorry, but I got to ask – her mother died a couple of months ago and she was never the same after that. Do you think it has anything to do with it?”

“What is it, Atlas?” – Smith asked.

Everyone walking around looked over at the dog. As Smith got closer, he saw feathers covered in blood.

“It’s just a bird, Atlas. Come on.”

Atlas stood at the same spot, loudly barking.

“Come, Atlas! Let’s go!”

The marching of the group continued in its rhythm with its focus back on their surroundings as the dog left the spot.

“It’s strange, there wasn’t blood and feathers anywhere else. Got to be somewhere nearby.” – Smith thought.

A couple of hours went by – somewhere around 4 hours with no signs from any of the four groups. All four groups gathered by the local lookout. Isaac spoke:

“First day of search is over, guys. The works in the forest will be over by 2 p.m. tomorrow, so we’ll start then, continuing with the west side. There are temporary houses built in the south, we’re heading there to relax and sleep. Keep it up, may God be with you all!”

…

Heavy steps could be heard on the porch of the house. A man, judging by the black shoes, walked up to the door and took something out of his pocket laying it on the wooden bar. After carving something on the wood near it, heavy steps echoed on the wooden flooring disappearing in the distance.

The phone ringing woke Josephine up as she immediately grabbed it, sighing.

“Yes, who’s this?” – she asked with her eyes still closed.

“Hey Josey, it’s me, Smith. Listen, we need to talk about something urgent. Meet me at the bay in an hour.”

“I hope it’s something important, Smith. I’m coming.”

She put the phone on the counter and started dressing up, looking out of the window through the blinds. Squinting on the wooden top at the front for a while, rubbing her eyes, she said:

“What’s that?”

Totally dismissing it, still in a sleepy state of mind, she walked to the toilet. A phone call met her as soon as she got out and now fully awoke Josephine for sure saw something outside with her peripheral. Checking the surroundings by lowering the blinds, she walked outside making sure that no one was there. The picture got clearer as she stepped closer and closer to it – a VHS tape lay there, with 'J.' written in white over a grey label. Josephine rushed back inside immediately and closed the door.

“Yes Josey, I’m getting in my car, I hope you’re on your way.”

Looking at the ground with her heart beating out of her chest, holding the phone, she said:

“Umm, Smith. I found a VHS tape by the front door just lying there.”

“What?” – he asked, confused. – “A VHS tape?”

“Yes. Do you think this is some kind of surprise, someone from the camp maybe?”

“Come to the bay, we’ll talk it over.”

She put the phone in her pocket and looked at the tape outside once again. Locking the front door, she grabbed it and put it in her bag, rushing to the car immediately.

Chapter 3

Local’s solitude and tradition.

The water was clear blue, waves were slowly reaching the shore and disappearing. A sunny day was upon the town, but the Sun was hidden behind the clouds, peeking through from time to time at Smith standing on the shore. He bent over the steel guardrail and stood still, looking deep into the water.

“Margo, where are you?”

Putting his head up after five minutes and looking to the left, he saw Josephine walking up to him through a weird tunnel-like alley. He turned around and now his back was facing the vast sea behind.