Chad Simmons

"I'll see her at the dinner," I said quietly and sat back down. It was already hard enough being face to face with them. I didn't know if I could face Winter, her and Feather had been so close. And she'd known Trinity too.

"Alright...we'll let her know. She'll be so happy."

I nodded. "Just let me know when the dinner is. And I'll be there."

"Okay, we will. Everyone still seems to be getting settled so maybe in the next few weeks."

"Alright."



I sighed. "So... what do you guys do out here?"

"Hunt and fish...that's about it. Whatever passes the time."

"You know... they're having a bonfire thing later this week. The whole village. You think you guys might want to come?"

"Nah, not me." I shrugged "Chad should though, not like they'll chase him off with pitch forks like they would me."

"They won't chase you off with pitchforks either Owen. The majority of the people there don't have any hard feelings against you. There's just a select few... that can't seem to let it go. It's a little more personal to them."

"It would still hurt her if she seen me though, I'm not sure if I want to do that to her again."


"Milo will be there." I said "You're best friends, right?"


"Yeah, we are. He comes out here to check everyday too."

"So there's another reason to come. You two can't hide out forever."



"Sure we can. We're getting to be pros at it."

"No you can't, Chad. It isn't good for either of you and I think if you would try to be around people it may actually help. A lot of them have lost loved ones recently, they can probably relate more than you think."

"Yeah, I know they've lost loved ones. But they haven't been the cause of them dying. They aren't responsible for their deaths."

"Neither are you." I said, sighing.
-Autumn Dove

"Yes I am."



"Chad, no you're -"



"Yes I am."

"No you aren't. If anyone is responsible...it's me. If I had cooperated with Nicholai to begin with innocent people wouldn't be dead...none of it would have happened." I told him, sighing "It's best if I go, I'll see you soon Chad. I love you." I hugged and kissed his and Owen's cheeks and then Brady's too "I'll see you when you get home." I told him and left.
-Autumn Dove

I sighed. "I guess I'm gonna head home too. You guys gonna be okay?"



"Yeah Dad we'll be fine. Thanks for coming," I said and hugged him as he left. "Well... that was fun."

"Your Mom is still blaming herself too, I guess."

"I don't see why. She doesn't have anything to blame herself for."

Chad

"Maybe she feels the same about us." I sighed "Are you even going to bother laying down? I know I won't sleep."

"Same here. There's no point in laying down, I'm not gonna get any sleep."

I laid back in the chair and was watching the fire, it was going to be a long and sleepless night.

I had snuck over to the other camp and had asked Chad's parents where I could find him. His cabin was a good distance away from everyone else but when I finally got there I wasn't sure if I should bother him or not. I walked up on the porch and knocked gently on the door.

I heard the door and went to answer it. "Hey... hi. What are you doing here? Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah...a lot better actually. No more black eyes." I smiled "Sorry if I'm intruding but I just wanted to say thanks again."


I heard Chad talking to someone and I came out of my room "Hey, we got a visitor?"