Page 10 of Ring Around the Rosie

Doug smiled as everyone lightly laughed. “It’s your turn. Truth or dare?” I looked back across the bonfire, but whatever I saw was gone.

What the hell was it? Fuck, you’re just letting those old ghost stories get to your head. There’s nothing there.

“Aster?” I turned my focus to the party.

The whole group waited for me to pick. I didn’t want to play this game and would’ve voiced that opinion sooner had I not lost myself in observing them like I did. Fuck, now what do I do? “I-I don’t think?—”

“No, no, no.” Doug stumbled to my side and sat next to me. “We all took our turns.” He motioned around the fire. “And now, it’syourturn.” He poked my arm. “Truth or dare?”

What the hell do I pick? If I pick truth, they can ask me anything. But if I pick dare, well, who knows what ridiculous thing Doug might pick. God, why did we have to play this game?

Doug began to make a ticking sound with his mouth. The group laughed and started to mimic him. The sound was obnoxious and annoying and created an odd anxiety within me. Fuck, what the hell do I choose?

Their ticking became unbearable, and I finally snapped. “Okay!” I shouted. They all stopped and looked at one another. “Okay.” I forced a smile to ease them. “I pick… Truth.” Doug blinked.

Please don’t make me regret this.

Doug rubbed his head. “Umm… Fuck. I—I don’t know what to ask.” He grabbed his head as if to stop it from spinning. “Shit—I—I don’t know.” I felt a bit embarrassed that even Doug couldn’t form a simple question.

“I got one.” I looked up at Solomon. “Doug, just sit down before you hurt yourself, okay?” Doug grumbled to himself and did as he was told. Sol adjusted himself on the log bench and leaned forward. “What’s your last name?” The whole group landed their eyes on me and waited for a reply.

“My–my last name?” I was a bit confused by the question.

Solomon nodded. “Mhm. What’s your last name, Aster?”

Fuck. What the hell do I say? I can’t say Batista… I can’t give him my real last name… Not after everything. But I needed to say something. Fast. Otherwise, it would look suspicious. Oh, what the hell was Aster’s last name in that obituary! Think!

“Aster?” Kaila tilted her head. “Is something wrong?”

“No!” I forced an awkward laugh. “I just—my last name. So weird to ask that!”

She looked at Sandy and then back at me. “Not–not really. We all know each other’s last names. I mean, all but yours.”

“Yeah,” Sandy chimed in.

Fuck. Just say something. Anything!

“My last name is… Sequoya.” I more or less spit the name out. The group exchanged an odd look. “What?”

Kaila touched my thigh gently. “Seqouya? Really? Are you related to Nurse B?”

I scrunched my brows and made a face at the odd question. “What? No. Why?”

Kaila looked at Willie. He sighed and leaned forward. “Because Thisbe’s last name is also Sequoya.”

What?

Willie yawned. “I guess it’s just a coincidence then, huh? Aster Sequoya. What a weird ass name. No offense.”

“None taken.” I quickly took a sip of my beer.

I had no idea Nurse B’s last name was Sequoya. I had only chosen it as it was the first name to pop into my mind. Sabbath’s last name. But, Nurse B? Thisbe Sequoya. What a weird name.

“Did I hear someone say my name?” We all grew stiff and froze at Thisbe’s sudden voice. She was standing on the path that led through the trees down to the lake with her hands on her hips. The look she gave us told me she was both disappointed and annoyed. “Out past curfew, breaking all sorts of rules. And on the eve of the campers' arrival? Shameful, isn’t it?” She shook her head and looked at Willie. “You know better”

Willie shot to his feet and cleared his throat. “Right. Come on, it’s late. Get your shit and head back to your cabins. Quickly.” It was strange how different he acted with her.

We all scattered and grabbed what we could. Nurse B remained still and watched us closely without speaking a word. Solomon helped Wolfe, and they headed out while Rodney struggled to help Doug stand. The two slowly waddled back in the direction of their cabin. Kaila and Sandy ushered to my side, and the three of us hesitantly passed Nurse B in the direction of our cabin. As I walked by the older woman, she reached out and grabbed my arm. Her dark eyes burrowed into mine, and I felt as though I couldn't move. “They can see their disregard for nature. Respect the Redwood, Aster. They see you. And remember, we are all pawns in someone’s games.” She let go of me, and I stood there with fear in my eyes. “Respect the Redwood,” she repeated. I shook my head and quickly rushed after the others.

---