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9

After running for what felt like hours [I know I'm being dramatic], Lydia eventually stopped. Arthur and I found ourselves bending over our knees, gasping for breath, while our ghost friend started looking around. She seemed confused, a small frown on her features through the constant mist. She didn't bother explaining anything, instead floating around in circles around us, muttering to herself in a language I didn't understand. I waved a hand in front of her face once she came near me again.

"Hello? Earth calling Lydia." I clicked my fingers. "What the fuck is happening here?" She finally looked at us, seeming like she'd forgotten we were there. "What are you doing?" I asked her.

She shrugged. "I thought I sensed something but it's gone now."

I glanced towards my cousin who looked like he was about to start throwing things before turning back to Lydia. "Well, that tells us absolutely nothing," I said, rolling my eyes.

Arthur, naturally, decided that would be a good idea to start blaming things on me. He's mature that way. "So, you made me drive all the way out to the middle of no where just to get knocked out?" He laughed loud enough that I actually worried someone would hear us. Or something. "This day just keeps getting better and better!" he yelled to the wind.

"Get it all out of your system," I told him, giving him a pat on the shoulder before finding a tree that looked strong enough to climb. [Now, you're probably wondering why I didn't just ask Lydia to fly up and see where we were. Honestly, I'm as clueless as you are, but that's what happened. In hindsight, it was pretty stupid.] I managed to get to the top, sticking my head above the leaves and branches.

"See anything?" my cousin called from below, seeming much calmer than before.

I scanned the area. There were trees, trees, trees, and more trees. Eventually, I managed to spot a glimmer of metal through the levels. I climbed back down the tree and pointed in the direction we had seen it. "We go west!"

"That's east," Lydia corrected, beginning to float in that direction.

"She's right," Arthur said as he passed me.

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I groaned. "Left, right, up, down, west, east, sky, fucking dirt. Do I sound like I have a sense of direction?"

"Nope!" they called back.

"I hate both of you with all my hate!"

"No you don't!" they called again.

With one final groan, I ran to catch up with them.

* * * * * * * *

After an hour of treckking through endless forest, we managed to find the car. You'd think the others would acknowledge this was because I saw it when I climbed that tree, but no. Arthur wouldn't trust my lacking sense of direction if it meant life or death. He's told me this before. Many, many times. Lydia is . . . Lydia. She has her opinions but usually keeps them to herself.

When we actually got to the car, the first thing that happened was my cousin having a minor panic attack. He kept feeling himself and searching his pockets. A good five minutes of this told him he had no car keys. He immediately gave me a glare that would have frozen water. To be fair, I was holding his keys in my hand. I had pickpocketed him out of boredom on the walk.

He snatched them from me. "I hate it when you do that."

"But you love me so much." I pouted. He looked like he was actually going to cut off my head. I laughed, though was a little weary. Cousin could be rather scary when he decided to be. It didn't happen often, but all I can say is daymn.

Once he got into the car, Arthur pointed at me and Lydia then at the front and back seats. Ly floated through the door to her usual spot as I climbed into the car, sticking my tongue out at my cousin. "Where are we going now?" I asked once we were back on proper road.

"Hotel for the next few days." I gave him a surprised look. "What?" When I didn't answer, he continued. "I figured we would be stuck out here for a while. It wasn't all that expensive so don't expect anything fancy."

I kicked my feet onto the dashboard. "Hey, so long as there's a bed and a shower, I'm all good." [If you're wondering how Arthur could afford a hotel, he's had a job for ages now. I'm still yet to find the one for me, much to my parents' delight. Yes, that was sarcasm.]

We arrived at the hotel not too long after getting back on the main road. Arthur checked us in and we made our way to our room, Lydia floating behind us. She went straight through the door as he fumbled for the key, the door opening on a phandom wind with the key barely touching the lock. I shrugged, pushing past my cousin to go in.

Now, I have to admit that the room had more than I was expecting. There was an en-suite on the side near the front door, and a mini kitchen not too far ahead. Past the kitchen were two beds covered in white quits and with black pillows. It wasn't impressive or anything, but I had stayed in far worse in much better locations. Arthur claimed a bed, dumping his bag on it before grabbing a towel and some new clothes, announcing he was going to have a shower as he did. I really couldn't have cared less, but it was nice to have some me time. Sadly, it didn't last as long as I hoped it would.