Page 31 of Hide And Seek

The assembly hall filled up fast, the usual chaos of a hundred-odd people moving in different directions before settling into their spots. I scanned the room and spotted Jasmine near the middle-left section, already wedged onto a bench between Tamsin and Wren with Jesse on the end. They waved at me and shuffled along to make room, and I slid in beside Jasmine.

“Do you have any idea what this is about?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

She shook her head. “Nope. Levi came and pulled us out of kayaking with no explanation.”

“Same,” Tamsin said. “I was literally mid-rappel when April came to get us.”

“Whatever it is, it can't be good,” Jesse added, face set in a grim expression.

Director Mabry was already on the platform at the front, scanning the room. She looked uncharacteristically nervous.

“Okay, everyone,” she finally said. “If I can have your attention for a few minutes.”

She waited until the room settled before speaking up again.

“I’m very sorry to pull you all in like this, but I’ve just received some information that I need to share with you immediately.”

She paused and took a deep breath.

“As some of you know, the camp underwent an environmental assessment earlier this year. At the time, we were given clearance to operate for the season.”

She glanced down at the paper in her hands, then back up.

“This afternoon, I received the final certified report, and unfortunately, it contradicts those earlier findings,” she said. “It appears some of the initial paperwork was misfiled, which accounts for the discrepancy.”

A ripple of confusion moved through the crowd.

“The report identifies concerns relating to ground stability in certain parts of the property. Because of that, we’ve been advised that the camp cannot remain operational while the site is under review.”

She swallowed, clearly hating what she was about to say next.

“That means we have no choice but to close the camp for the remainder of the summer, effective immediately.”

The hall erupted with overlapping voices, all filled with a mix of shock, confusion, and anger.

I remained silent, panic crawling up my throat. I was supposed to have six weeks at this camp to find somethingthat might shed light on Carly Martin’s supposedly accidental drowning. Now camp was getting shut down after two and a half days, just like that, before I'd managed to get further than an overheard exchange in a hallway.

What the hell was I supposed to do now?

“I know this is very sudden, and I know it’s disappointing,” the director went on, raising her voice over the commotion. “Parents will be contacted soon, and all families will receive full refunds. We’ll begin organizing departures first thing in the morning. And all staff will be paid for the full season, as contracted. None of you are going to be out of pocket because of this.”

Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank god,” she muttered.

I nodded absently, my mind elsewhere. It was in that distracted state that I glanced over toward the Legacy section of the room and found Rhys.

He was watching Mabry with his arms folded and his expression composed. Around him, every other person was showing some sort of shock or annoyance over the news. Sutton had her hand pressed to her mouth, Grace looked wide-eyed and lost, and Zach was shaking his head with disbelief.

But Rhys wasn't doing any of that. No shift in posture, not even a flicker of surprise. Just stillness and a neutral expression, like a man who was listening to a confirmation rather than a revelation.

As if he felt my eyes on him, his gaze slid sideways and locked on mine across the crowded hall. He held it for a moment, expression unchanged, before he looked back at the director.

With that, a cold, creeping certainty settled in my chest.

Rhys had known this was going to happen.

8

The last shuttlebus pulled away at ten past two the next afternoon.