chapter five
"hacketts quarry forever"

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Outside the Lodge ━━ Hacketts Quarry 2021

THE LATE afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across Hackett's Quarry Summer Camp. The air was thick with the scent of pine as Lilith stood with the other counselors, watching the last bus disappear down the dusty road.

Kaitlyn's voice cut through the air, sharp and teasing. "And that's the last of them. How many hearts did you break this summer, Jacob?"

Lilith observed Jacob's face fall, his usual cocky grin replaced by a fleeting look of hurt. "Very funny, Kaitlyn," Jacob muttered, his voice lacking its usual cockiness.

"Aw, come on. At least Emma let you down easy, right?"

As Jacob turned away, shoulders slumped, Lilith felt a pang of sympathy. She approached him, noticing how he bent to pick something up from the ground – a glint of metal that disappeared quickly into his pocket.

"You okay?" Lilith asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jacob's eyes met hers, a mix of gratitude and embarrassment swirling in their depths. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... you know."

"Summer flings are tough," Lilith offered, memories of her own past summers flitting through her mind. "Trust me, I get it."

Then, an idea popped into Lilith head, sensing an opportunity, Lilith lowered her voice as she spoke to Jacob. "Hey, what if... what if it didn't have to end just yet?"

Jacob turned to her, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

Glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot, Lilith continued, "What if the van just, stopped working? we'd be stuck here for at least another night."

Jacob's eyes widened. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"

Lilith shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I'm just saying, if someone were to, say, misplace... let's say a rotor arm, we'd all get one more night of summer. One more chance to make memories... or maybe fix things with Emma?"

She saw the idea take root in Jacob's mind, his expression shifting from surprise to consideration.

"But... wouldn't that be wrong?" he asked, though Lilith could tell he was already half-convinced.

"Think of it as a harmless prank," Lilith said, smiling conspiratorially. "Besides, Mr. Hackett would come back for us in the morning. It's just one more night."

Jacob was quiet for a moment, clearly wrestling with the decision. Finally, he nodded. "Okay, I'll do it. But if anyone asks, this wasn't my idea, got it?"

Lilith held up her hands. "Your secret's safe with me."

Perfect.

Their hushed conversation was interrupted by Kaitlyn's commanding voice. "Hey! These bags aren't going to load themselves!"

As they moved to help with the bags, the leather warm from sitting in the sun all day, Lilith's gaze was drawn to a solitary figure by the bunker entrance. Ryan sat alone, headphones clamped firmly over his ears, seemingly oblivious to the world around him.

The group made their way to the lodge, the rustic building that loomed large against the darkening sky. Nick and Dylan were by the door, their faces alight with mischief as Jacob approached.

"Hey guys," Jacob called out, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet clearing. "Give us a hand with these bags?"

Dylan's grin was positively impish as he replied, "Sorry, dude. Important door business. Very technical stuff."

Before Jacob could protest, the heavy wooden door slammed shut with a resounding thud as they two made it inside.

"Real mature, guys!" Jacob shouted, his voice tinged with frustration as he tried to jiggle the handle.

Lilith couldn't help but laugh, the sound surprising even her. It felt good to laugh, to pretend for a moment that she was just another counselor enjoying the last day of camp. "Come on," she said, pointing to an open window nearby. "There's another way in. I'll give you a boost."

As she helped Jacob through the window, the rough wood scraping against her palms, Nick's voice drifted down from above, tinged with amusement. "You know, there's this amazing invention called a door, Jacob!"

Inside the lodge, the air was cooler, heavy with the scent of wood and memories of summers past. Lilith made her way around to the front, where Kaitlyn was bent over the van's engine, the metal ticking as it cooled in the evening air.

"Everything okay?" Lilith asked, approaching cautiously. The van was old, its once-white paint now a patchwork of rust and faded memories.

Kaitlyn straightened up, wiping her hands on her jeans and leaving dark smears behind. "Yeah, just double-checking everything. Don't want to get stranded out here, you know?"

Lilith watched as Jacob casually approached the van, pretending to help Kaitlyn. With a quick glance around, he reached in and pocketed the rotor arm. Their eyes met briefly, a silent understanding passing between them.

Soon, the sun started to dip lower, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks, and a golf cart puttered into view. Emma and Abigail arrived in a chorus of giggles, the cart kicking up a small cloud of dust in its wake.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your queens have arrived!" Emma announced dramatically.

Abigail, quieter but smiling, added, "We took the scenic route. The island looked amazing." Her eyes darted to Nick, a blush coloring her cheeks when she caught him looking back.

As the group gathered around, the air filled with the frustrated beeps of phones searching for non-existent signals, Lilith found herself next to Nick.

"No signal?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

Nick shook his head, a wry smile playing at his lips. "Nada. Guess we're officially off the grid now."

The conversation shifted as Ryan joined them, his headphones finally removed. Kaitlyn pounced immediately. "There you are! Where have you been hiding?"

Ryan shrugged, a smile playing on his lips. "Just listening to this awesome podcast. You guys ever hear of 'Bizarre Yet Bonafide'?"

The group shook their heads, but Lilith noticed a spark of interest in Nick's eyes.

"It's all about local legends and unexplained phenomena," Ryan continued, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. "And guess what? They did an episode on Hackett's Quarry."

"No way," Emma laughed, but Lilith could hear a hint of unease in her voice. "What could possibly be interesting about this place?"

Ryan's grin widened. "Ever hear of the Hag of Hackett's Quarry?"

A hush fell over the group. Even Jacob, who had been fidgeting nervously since his encounter with Lilith, grew still.

"According to the legend," Ryan began, clearly relishing the attention, "this old woman, she went mad with grief. She'd wander the woods at night, calling for her son. And then one night, there was a fire. Burned down half the forest. When it was over, they found her body... or what was left of it."

"That's horrible," Nick muttered, his face pale in the fading light.

"But here's the kicker," Ryan said, his eyes glinting. "People say she's still out there. On dark nights, when the moon is hidden, campers have reported seeing an old woman in the woods, still searching for her son. And if you listen closely, you can hear her calling his name."

A heavy silence fell over the group. Lilith glanced around, noting the varied reactions. Emma was trying to look unimpressed, but her hands were clasped tightly in front of her.

"Oh, come on," Kaitlyn finally broke the silence, her voice a little too loud. "You don't actually believe that crap, do you?"

Ryan shrugged. "I'm just telling you what I heard. But you have to admit, there's something... off about these woods sometimes. Haven't you ever felt like you were being watched?"

"Well, I think it's a load of bull," Emma declared, but her voice lacked conviction. "Right, Nick?"

Nick, who had been staring thoughtfully into the darkening trees, started at the sound of his name. "Huh? Oh, yeah. Just a story."

Just then Mr. Hackett emerged from the lodge, his usual composed self slightly ruffled. "Alright, counselors!" he called out, clapping his hands together. "Time to hit the road. Jacob, why don't you start up the van?"

Lilith watched as Jacob moved towards the driver's seat, exchanging a quick glance with Kaitlyn. She held her breath as Jacob turned the key in the ignition. The engine sputtered, coughed, and then fell silent.

"Um, Mr. Hackett?" Jacob called out, his voice tinged with false confusion. "We might have a problem."

Mr. Hackett's brow furrowed as he approached the van. "What seems to be the issue?"

Kaitlyn stepped forward, all business. "We did a check earlier, sir. There might be an issue with the fuel line, or..." she hesitated, glancing at Jacob, "...the rotor arm might be missing."

Lilith noticed a flicker of unease cross Mr. Hackett's face. "Missing? How could it be missing?"

"No idea, sir," Kaitlyn replied smoothly. "But without it, we're not going anywhere tonight."

Mr. Hackett's composure visibly cracked. He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes darting between the counselors and the darkening treeline. "This can't be happening," he muttered.

Emma stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "Mr. Hackett, what's going on? Why are you so worried about us staying one more night?"

He took a deep breath, seemingly wrestling with some internal dilemma. "It's nothing, really. It's just... these woods can be dangerous at night. Wild animals, you know?"

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "We've been here all summer, Mr. Hackett. We haven't had any problems with wildlife."

Mr. Hackett's eyes locked onto Ryan, a look of decision crossing his face. "You're right, of course. I'm just being overly cautious. Ryan, you've always been responsible. I'm going to trust you with this."

He fished in his pocket, pulling out a set of keys. "These are the spare keys to the lodge and my office. I want you all to stay inside tonight, understand? No wandering around after dark, no matter what."

As he pressed the keys into Ryan's hand, his voice dropped to a near whisper. "I mean it, Ryan. Keep everyone safe."

Lilith strained to hear, her curiosity piqued by Mr. Hackett's intensity.

"Of course, Mr. Hackett," Ryan nodded, looking slightly bewildered. "But are you sure you don't want to stay too? It's getting pretty late."

Mr. Hackett shook his head firmly. "No, no. I need to... I have some things to take care of. I'll be back first thing in the morning with help for the van."

He turned to address the whole group. "Alright, everyone inside now. Ryan's in charge. Remember, stay in the lodge. I'll see you all in the morning."

Lilith watched his taillights disappear down the dark road, questions swirling in her mind.

Dylan broke the uneasy silence that followed. "Okay, is anyone else getting major creepy vibes or is it just me?"

Kaitlyn snorted. "Please. Hackett's probably just worried we'll throw a rager and trash the place."

"Well," Jacob grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye, "now that you mention it, who's up for one last summer bash?"

Ryan frowned, fidgeting the keys Mr. Hackett had entrusted to him. "I don't know, guys. Mr. Hackett seemed pretty serious about us staying inside."

"Oh, come on!" Jacob protested. "It's our last night here. Are we really going to spend it cooped up in the lodge?"

Emma nodded enthusiastically. "Jacob's right. We should do something fun. Like a bonfire!"

Kaitlyn smirked. "Trying to rekindle that summer romance, Em?"

Emma rolled her eyes, but Lilith noticed a faint blush on her cheeks.

Ryan still looked hesitant. "Guys, I don't think-"

"Look," Jacob interrupted, "we'll keep it small, okay? Just a little fire, some music, maybe a few drinks. Nothing crazy."

Dylan chimed in, "Yeah, and we'll stay close to the lodge. It'll be fine, Ryan."

Lilith watched as Ryan's resolve visibly weakened. Finally, he sighed. "Alright, fine. But we stay close to the lodge, and if anyone hears or sees anything weird, we come straight back in. Deal?"

A chorus of agreement went up from the group.

"Great!" Jacob beamed. "Okay, we need supplies. Emma and I will raid the kitchen. Dylan, you're on music duty. Kaitlyn, can you and Ryan get some chairs and blankets from the lodge?"

Kaitlyn nodded. "On it."

"What about us?" Nick asked, gesturing to himself, Abigail, and Lilith.

"Firewood duty," Jacob replied. "Think you can handle that?"

Nick grinned. "I think we can manage."

Lilith saw this as the perfect opportunity to go snooping around, so she played into it. While Nick and Abigail were finding firewood, she could scout the area, and maybe find more clues about what really happened to her brother.

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