Without disguise

We were walking through the woods – a big crowd of lunatics to me. I mean who in his senses would go walking here? However, we were walking. I was left to my own resources: Annie and Mel were running around with a camera and taking pictures for the journal published by the Nature Protection Society they were in; Chris chose to stay at the Academy – his girlfriend came back late yesterday night… So I was walking all by myself. But this didn’t bother me for I was so sleepy I hardly noticed anything around me.

The sun was rising slowly and giving the transparent sky a shade of gold and pink. Such a glowing morning was promising a beautiful day. I was slowly coming back to life and after two hours on feet I woke up finally. Now I had the eyes for picturesque sights and happy smiles around me. I searched the crowd for Javier but he was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t see him on the gathering in the morning – is it possible that he decided not to go just like Chris? My heart thumped painfully at the thought of Javier being with some other girl which I knew was more than likely.

I was so deep in thought I didn’t notice a snag that stuck out from the earth on the path. I wonder why does this kind of things always happen to me? Why?

I tripped on that snag and was forced to step off the path and into the clearing that appeared to be swampy. My right foot got stuck in the mud immediately. The more I tried to free myself the stronger swamp sucked me in. I began to panic and move sharply – which of course didn’t help my situation. The idea of screaming for help didn’t cross my mind.
Suddenly a firm hand closed on my wrist and pulled with effort and to my surprise my foot came out of the swamp. But the side effect of this was that I flew on the ground as well as my rescuer. I was lying on my back breathing hard trying to suppress the trembling.
When the first shock faded away I rolled over to my side to thank my savior and froze. Next to me lay Jake breathing hard too. I was to thank him?! I sighed deeply and the words were ready to escape my lips when he faced me and I went numb with chilling fear – hisblue eyes glowed red, murderous look upon his face.

- You - idiot! – he bellowed at me, - What are you trying to do? Kill yourself?!

The crowd began to gather round us. I was still sitting on the ground. My eyes wandered round me searching for support. I caught a glimpse of my friends running to my aid. Jake got to his feet by the time and was hanging over me. He looked around and when his eyes fixed on me again any emotion had fled from his face. Javier was first at my side and helped me up.

- Are you alright? – he asked anxiously. But I was staring at Jake blindly, no one had ever scared me like he did.

- Of course she is, - Jake sneered, - The only thing not alright is that we are out of schedule, - and he raised his voice so everyone could hear him:

- Move, move! Keep going, we’ve got to get to the river before dark!

Everyone obeyed, though there were a few indignant remarks about his tone. Jake was about to leave but suddenly turned to face me with an unpleasant smile his eyes narrowing as if he wished to pierce me to the nearest tree:

- Next time you want to draw my attention to your charming self, think of something new – I don’t fall for the same trick twice…

- Leave her alone! – Mel screamed at him. He looked at her expressionlessly and took off. Daniel came running into my sight and caught up with Jake. I could hear him ask:

- What happened here? What was all this fuss about?

- Nothing much – keep an eye on this Rogers girl – I think she only came with us to ruin the whole thing, - Jake chuckled.

Rage was building up inside my chest.

- I’ll kill him! I swear I will! – Javier caught hold of my arm just in time, if it weren’t for him nothing could keep me from taking my revenge on Jake!