the woods. Carla just told her that she felt her eyes were playing tricks on her. Brian elevated his ankle and was just happy to be off of it. Although he was thankful, he hated the fact Jeff was there.
As the afternoon came and went, they started the fire and begin to roast hotdogs again for dinner. Penelope was upset but hungry so she got over it and ate. Carla didn't leave Brian's side, feeling guilty about his injury. If she didn't let her imagination run wild he wouldn't have got hurt. Jordan decided it was time for him to propose.
"Penelope."
"Yes babe." she replied.
"I forgot to tell you I spoke with your father the other day."
"About what?" confused.
"Well we were talking and I was telling him how great you were. I also told him that I wanted to ask for your hand in marriage."
"Oh my God," Penelope squealed.
"He approved. So I ask this in front of our closest friends." Jordan got down on one knee.
"Oh my God," Penelope squealed again.
"Penelope Douglas, will you marry me?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she said as she tackled him and begin to kiss him.
"Congratulations" everyone said.
Carla was really thrilled for her best friend to be engaged. Then she thought about how she wasted three years with Jeff and still has no ring. She stared over at Jeff and he smiled. She signaled him to follow her so they could talk. First she addressed Brian.
"Hey I am going to get this over with. I know he came here to talk. I am not changing my mind though, so let me get rid of him and I will be back."
"Okay" Brian said, not believing her.
They walked about twenty feet from the camp site and began to talk. Carla told him he had ten minutes to speak. He agreed to the time slot.
"So let’s not beat around the bush; I made a mistake. I went to go look for a ring four months ago and started to get cold feet. I love you and I know I want to marry you; but the idea of getting married started to get to me. All of a sudden I found myself flirting with random women and I ended up letting a conversation go too far and you know the rest. I promise you that was a one time incident and it will never happen again."
"Are you done?" Carla asked.
"Yes beautiful."
"Well first off let me say that there is not going to be an again because I am not giving you another chance. I feel like I have wasted three years of my life. My best friend just got engaged after nine months of a relationship. While after three years my boyfriend decides to cheat on me. You obviously do not want the same thing."
"That’s not true. I didn't propose until I felt I could take care of the woman I will call my wife. I had to finish school , get a job, and make enough money to support us both. You know how I feel about finances; they need to be in order. So when I was debt free from student loans, approved for a mortgage, and able to pay cash for a wedding ring I decided it was time. I just got cold feet. I am a man that makes mistakes. I promise you that I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
"I don't know Jeff."
"Do you miss me?"
"All of the time," she said while beginning to cry.
"I miss you, you are my heart. I can't live without you."
"I don't know."
"If you love me, then please give me one more chance."
"It's not just that. You have to promise to not work as much and stop being a jerk."
"A jerk?"
"You are a know it all. You always have some fun factoid and always challenging someone. A Jerk."
"If that’s what it takes then yes, I will stop."
"Okay"
"Thank you baby" he said, kissing her.
They approached the campsite smiling. Jeff had his arm around Carla as they both took a seat by the fire. Brian was enraged but knew she was going to give him another chance. One of the things he loved about her was the fact that she had a forgiving heart. He decided to speak.
"It looks like another congratulations are in order." he stated, holding his bottle of water up.
"All they are love birds again" Rachel said.
"That’s great, but Carla I am getting married." They both hugged and jumped up and down.
"Everyone is happy again, that is great" Brian said, wishing he had some liquor to drink.
All of a sudden a horn sound was blown near the beginning of the hiking trail. Everyone stopped their celebration and looked off into the woods.
"What the hell was that?" Penelope said, frightened.
"It was probably a diesel on the highway,” Jeff said.
"No the highway is the other way. Plus we would hear that from the campsite." Carla said.
"Look the celebration is over. There has been too much freaky thing going on the last 24 hours. Let’s pack up and head home." Brian said.
"Brian I know you had an eventful hike earlier but there is nothing to be scared of at all," Jeff said.
"I agree with Brian, we should get out of here." Rachel said.
"I second that." Penelope said.
"Carla I know this weekend was for you but there is no reason we shouldn't be able to head out. We don't even have to take the whole trip back home; we can get a hotel." Jordan said.
"Why is everyone in a panic?" Jeff said, laughing.
Just then the horn blew again in the same spot. Everyone was even more spooked. Jordan began packing his stuff up.
"Jeff and Carla you can stay; take Jeff's car back. We will head out right now. Penelope pack Brian stuff up." Jordan said.
"Jordan come on, it’s nothing. Maybe an animal or something." Carla said.
"Well even if it's animal; it’s awfully close. We should still leave," Penelope said.
"You two love birds stay here. It's no big deal right; Carla you have been here hundreds of times," Brian said sarcastically.
"Okay listen up everyone. I will go over there and check it out. If its something spooky I will help you all pack and head out. If not we can stay the night and we can leave first thing tomorrow morning. Is that a fair trade?" Jeff asked.
"I'm cool with that man" Jordan said.
"Be careful" Carla said.
Jeff bent down and pulled a knife out of its holder around his ankle. He slowly stepped towards the origin of the horn. He looked around and went a couple feet into the woods. He didn't see anything so he took his cell phone out to add some light. He didn't see anything at all. Out of nowhere some four legged creature ran past him and he screamed.
"Jeff!" Carla yelled.
"I'm okay. It was some weird animal!" he yelled back.
Relieved, he walked back out from the woods and waved to everyone. Everyone waved back, relieved that it was nothing. Just then the horn blew again and Jeff turned around. Everyone became spooked. All of sudden they heard three quiet whistles in the air. Carla stared at Jeff because he was just standing there facing the woods.
"Jeff!" Carla yelled.
Just then Jeff turned around slowly with three arrows in his chest. He completely turned around then fell to his knees. Carla and Penelope screamed.