The Forum by Marie Reyes (short books for teens .txt) 📕

He blamed himself for not appreciating this opportunity enough, and he felt like a failure for wanting to quit here when he was so close to completing the trek. Maybe he would feel better after a good meal, drinks, and a couple of long sleeps.

After his shower, he unpacked a little, and found his cleanest clothes whilst recapping the trip in his head. In a month he had seen it all. Meadows, wildflowers, lakes, rivers, and of course the most beautiful mountains. He remembered the grizzly bear that crossed his path and the other wildlife he had encountered along the way: moose, porcupines, pine martens, and marmots. One thing he would not miss, was the mosquitoes and flies. He had grown tired of bushwhacking, forging his way through dense undergrowth, with wet leaves and branches brushing past him as if he were walking through a car wash.

The sun was too hot, the rain and hail too cold, the lightning made him feel like he could be struck down at any second. What was so wrong with wanting a warm bed and some home comforts? Why did giving up feel so wrong?

When he had left for the hike, he worried he had avoided the outdoors so long, that he wouldn't be able to cope, until it dawned on him, he didn't get agoraphobic in nature, it was as if people and civilization was his real fear. Now, it had become the opposite. The hotel was comforting and familiar, with many a distraction. It wasn't the bears or wolves that scared him; it was being left alone with his thoughts.

~~~

Jasper, like Whistler, reminded him of a theme park. Everything looked a little too perfect. From the outdoor seating area, he could still see the mountains as the sun disappeared behind them. He knew the sun was setting on his adventure, and a bittersweet pang of nostalgia plucked at his heartstrings.

After drinking his weight in Gatorade, he was now enjoying something a little stronger. This had probably been the longest he had gone without drinking in a good while. The burly, bearded server walked towards him with a plate and placed it on the table. It was a double cheeseburger with fries and a side of onion rings, and he had no doubt, he was going to finish the lot. Now he had done everything he had to do for the day, he connected to Wi-Fi for the first time since he had set off on his trek. Eating and browsing the internet was a skill he had perfected, and the sight of all his notifications popping up on screen was a rush.

Pickletubs118: Anyone about? Come on. We can't give up. We can't let him win.

Pickletubs118: Anyone?

Pickletubs118: I'm going to do this alone then.

There was another message, a private message. It was sent only days ago by Pipes.

Pipes1983: Martin. I hope things are looking up after what happened to you. I'm so sorry about our last conversation. You said something to me that upset me and I should have been there for you in the worst moment, but there were things I couldn't face then. When I started drinking far too much, I fell asleep with a lit cigarette and started a fire. I woke up in time, and managed to get my family out, but I never got over what I had done.

When you told me what happened, it brought it all back. I was terrified that it was the killer we'd been following and that he knew what I had done, and that's why he did what he did to you. I own the fact that this horrible thing that happened to you could be my fault, and I didn't want to admit it to you at the time.

After they threatened my children, I cut myself off from them, and they even moved state to live with my ex's new partner. Now I feel that they are safe, I'm going to do everything I can to try to find this person. I got a response from the seller of that clock. She wouldn't give me their info, and the police don't seem to think it's worth pursuing. I have to do this. Otherwise, this will all have been for nothing. Me alienating my kids and ex even further to the point where they moved away. I would love to catch up and discuss, but I understand if you don't want to.

Quicky_Mart: Amazing to hear from you. I'm in Jasper at the moment. I hiked most of the Great Divide Trail. It was really beautiful. I'm sure you would have loved it. I have got insurance money, so it's going to be okay. If what you're saying is true, and this fucker burnt my parent's house down, then I wholeheartedly want to take them down and would gladly help you.

Chapter

Twenty Four

                LONDON

"Don't you think it's time we moved in together. It seems silly that we're renting two places. Not exactly cost-effective living in London, is it? I don't suppose you've considered moving away?" Nadia sprung this question far too early on a Monday morning as she got ready for work.

Waiting for his response, she spooned yogurt into a bowl, followed by a sprinkling of muesli and a dollop of homemade fruit compote. She picked up a spoon and turned to him. "So? What do you think?"

"Uh. Um. I guess I hadn't really thought about it. I'm just going to make a bacon sarnie and have a think." He tried to buy himself time to come up with a suitable answer. He already knew what he wanted to say, but how could he answer without hurting her feelings and starting another argument.

"What's there to think about? You either do, or you don't. It's simple really."

Aadesh pulled a pack