A BREAK IN THE TREES

By Jenna M George

Everly Mae Lansing has everything she ever wanted. She lives with her best friend in Hawaii, and is still dating her high school sweetheart. When her boyfriend's former college roommate comes to town, the group goes on a camping trip that changes their lives, and not for the better. Everly, Addy, Benji, and Leo witness something they weren't suppos

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jenna George
• Release date: Apr 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798985819816

Jenna M George

Jenna M. George is from Skokie, IL and started writing short stories and poetry when she was in seventh grade. She never thought about publishing them until recently. In 2020, as a senior at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, she submitted one of her poems to her college's literary magazine and was published for the first time. A Break in the Trees is her first published novel; however, she hopes that there are many more to come.

Book preview

Prologue

Dusk was approaching over Lanikai Beach but Raven Ophelia knew exactly where she was going. She had been in these woods many times before, but only ever for one specific thing. It wasn’t because she loved the beauty.

No. It wasn’t that at all.

Her dirty blonde hair was shining in the remaining sunlight, causing Michael Donahue to look at her with dark eyes and yearn for her love.

She felt his eyes on her, up and down. She wondered if he knew of the tight black lingerie that lingered just beneath her clothes. Her jean shorts hit slightly above her middle thigh and her black tank top fell in all the right places.

This would make any man salivate. I look astonishing.

They were now deep enough into the vacant forest where Raven felt comfortable stopping.

Nobody will be here. Not now.

She looked again into Michael’s eyes and smiled mysteriously. His hands seemed to be shaking. In response, she walked up to him and kissed him.

This should get him going.

Michael stood there with a light complexion, and a scrawny build. He had hair that resembled a maraschino cherry and dark freckles that she found rather charming.

Suddenly, she remembered why she was here.

I brought this toy I think you might like, but you need to close your eyes, she whispered, itching for a fast reply. He hesitated for a moment, his hands shaking more noticeably now. I make you nervous. He nodded timidly and shut his eyes. No peeking, she said with a chuckle.

I won’t, I promise. His voice was steady.

She started rummaging through her black Tory Burch handbag, knowing the two things she needed to lay her hands on. She felt her heart starting to race fast. What if I forgot them?

I’m waiting, Michael said with apparent nerves in his voice.

She felt a bead of sweat slide down her flawless forehead when, just as she was about to go into panic mode, she touched what she was searching so desperately for.

Hold on, Raven said with a laugh. She checked to make sure his eyes were still closed.

Good.

She pulled the objects out of her bag and didn’t wait another second.

She plunged a knife into his lower abdomen. Michael’s eyes shot open; it looked as though he wanted to scream in terror, but before he could, Raven clamped her free hand over his mouth. Shh, she whispered with a sinister smile painted on her face.

She liked this part. The trepidation in the eyes, the struggling for breath. This was her true entertainment. Michael had to be wondering how this night could have gone so wrong.

You know, Michael, I am very, very disappointed in you, Raven began in a sultry tone while reaching for the duct tape she had just secured in her bag. She ripped some off with her teeth, removed her hand from his mouth, and quickly replaced it with the tape.

Unfortunately for you, I don’t like cheaters very much, she said, ignoring the blood pooling out of his stomach. If you’re feeling defenseless right now, it’s working. That wine you had at dinner? I slipped a sedative in it. You really should pay more attention. The sun was getting lower in the sky and the woods were quiet around them.

Michael attempted to gasp for air, but to no avail. Raven secured the duct tape tight. You’re getting weaker and weaker with each passing second. Who would have thought going for a walk with your son this morning would turn into this? Michael’s already pale face was losing the rest of its color.

Next thing she knew, he fell over onto the dirt. Holding his stomach, he wordlessly attempted to scream for help, but that hope quickly faded as realization began to sink in.

Raven dragged Michael a few yards east, though not effortlessly, until they hit a six foot grave. The dirt was still soft. You see, Michael, when I met you this morning, I knew I was going to kill you once I saw that you couldn’t resist my beauty. And here we are now, in a forest miles away from society, with you fighting for your breath. All you had to do was say ‘no’. Your wife doesn’t even know where you are. Nobody will find you, she cackled.

I’m not sorry about it, you know. Your son shouldn’t have to grow up with a cheating father anyway. Michael was squirming now and losing blood awfully fast.

Before I kill you, do you have any last words? She ripped the duct tape off his mouth and pulled out her nine-millimeter Glock from the back of her shorts. She pointed the gun between his hopeless eyes.

Please, my son needs me, he pleaded.

She had heard enough.

And my wife-

She fired the weapon and he fell silent. She gave his body one big push and it rolled right into the fresh grave. She stood and wiped the soot off her once clean clothes.

Before she could process anything else, a stick snapped behind her. She turned around in an instant and saw four silhouettes sprinting away. She blinked as a shocking thought flooded her senses.

She had been seen.

Chapter One

DEPARTURES

TWELVE HOURS EARLIER

Everly Mae Lansing sat on a bar stool in her oak-wood kitchen, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. The apartment she shared with her best friend was quiet except for the light noises she heard emanating from Addy’s bedroom.

She never woke up this early on her own, but she’d set her alarm because she wasn’t sure when they would be leaving. Their friend Leo was coming into town so Everly, Addy, and Benji were going to pick him up from the Daniel K. Inouye Airport.

Leo suggested camping for his first night in town because he wanted to be outside. Chicago in October didn’t exactly cooperate with the outdoors.

Everly heard a door open behind her. She spun around and her blonde-haired best friend stood in front of her with little to no bed head.

How does your hair look so good? Everly asked.

Addy rolled her eyes and yawned. Good morning to you too, Ev.

Everly chuckled. When are we going?

Benji didn’t tell you? Why am I awake right now if we don’t even know what time he’s coming? Addison Davenport asked with a hint of jealousy in her voice. She turned around to head back into her bedroom, but Everly ignored her. Instead of starting an argument, she pulled out her phone to call her boyfriend. The phone rang three times before he picked up.

What, Everly? Benjamin Cohen sounded irritated on the other end of the phone.

Good morning to you too, Benji. You don’t need to be a dick, Everly scuffed.

I’m sorry, my mom was giving me a hard time this morning, Benji said.

Everly processed this for a minute. Benji’s parents were never exactly kind to him. Benji was the youngest of three boys at 23 years old; he was eight months older than Everly but they were always in the same grade in school. His older brother Kevin was 11 years older than him, and his eldest brother Josh was 13 years older than him.

This wouldn’t be the first time his mom had given him a hard time.

Everly’s mind flashed back to a night at Benji’s house for dinner when an argument burst out about how Benji didn’t have a job. It wasn’t entirely fair because Benji had plans to play in the NFL, but a knee injury ended his football career. Still, Everly had sat with her mouth shut.

She would never forget the words that came out of his mother’s mouth. "Why can’t you be more like your brothers? It’s not a secret that you were an accident, but at least try to earn some of my and your father’s respect."

The night was a blur after that. Benji’s face had gone white and he’d grabbed Everly’s hand. She couldn’t remember if he’d said anything more, she’d just squeezed his hand so he knew she was there.

They’d left their nearly untouched plates of pumpkin and feta agnolotti on the table and walked out the big, elegant front doors of the Cohen’s mansion, slipped into Benji’s car, and drove away without looking back. The two had found a hidden cove overlooking the ocean. They’d parked, and talked about how cruel and terrible his parents were until 2:30 a.m.

Everly tried to push that memory to the back of her mind and walked out of the kitchen, through the living room, past Addy’s closed bedroom door, and into her bedroom.

The two of them had moved in together after they both graduated college that previous May. When they saw the place for the first time, they fell in love with it.

It was in Kailua, Hawaii which was a great area for people their age because there was so much to do. It had a farmer’s market on Sundays, a bookstore called Book Ends, which Everly absolutely adored, and tons of great places to eat. Not to mention, a plethora of beaches and water activities that intrigued them as well as the apartment itself. And the close distance from their families was ideal.

The building was light blue and palm trees and beautiful stone engulfed the outside of their apartment complex. Every time Everly walked up to it, she felt like she was on vacation in paradise.

All of the walls inside were painted light gray. There wasn’t a room in their place that didn’t have succulents and flowers. Their oak-colored cabinets in the kitchen matched the wood floors. The kitchen itself was topped off with stainless steel appliances and a beautiful, ornate backsplash.

The 50" television stood on a white TV stand which was gifted to them by Addy’s mother. It was visible from the barstools at the island in the kitchen.

The living room had two white leather couches given to the girls by Everly’s father as a congratulatory gift for getting their own place.

Everly flashed back to her and Addy’s shaky encounter earlier that morning. She’d known that they would get annoyed with each other rather easily once they moved in together. 18 years of friendship had done a lot of good, but it most definitely gave the two a level of comfort to be short with each other over the pettiest things.

Everly walked into her bedroom and sat at her desk. The cat she was fostering jumped onto her lap, accidentally clawing at her skin and drawing blood.

Dakota! No!

The black and white cat looked up at her with sorry golden eyes and purred softly.

Hello? Benji asked irritably.

Everly snapped back into reality, remembering that Benji was on the other end of the phone. I just wanted to know what time we’re going to pick Leo up from the airport.

I’m picking you guys up in an hour. Just be ready by 9:30. I’ll text when I’m out front, he said in that same rude tone he picked up the phone with. She hung up without another word.

Asshole, Everly muttered under her breath, throwing her phone face down on her bed. Dakota jumped off her legs and started rolling around the circular, shaggy white carpet that engulfed most of Everly’s floor. She was the most dog-like cat she had ever fostered, and Everly had fostered a lot of cats.

It didn’t take Dakota long to get bored of the rug, though, and wreak havoc in Everly’s walk-in closet. The closet contained her favorite possession: a white wardrobe with gold painted flowers. It used to be her grandmother’s. It really was no different from any white wardrobe on the outside, but there was a hidden compartment in the back of the middle left drawer that had saved her on more than one occasion.

When Everly was little, she and her older brother, Eddie, used to pretend that the wardrobe itself would bring them to Narnia. Visiting New York has more perks than just seeing Grandma Ruth, Eddie’s voice rang in her ears. We get to go hang out with Mr. Tumnus too!

Suddenly, Benji came flooding back into her thoughts. Sometimes it seemed like they had just met, but other times Everly had trouble remembering her life before he was in it. She thought about all the amazing times between them over the past fifteen years, and some not so amazing times.

She remembered the day they met all too well. Benji was new to the area; he moved to Hawaii from Georgia and looked different from most kids. He was tall and pudgy, the complete opposite of Everly, who resembled more of a toothpick. As Everly laid eyes on him for the first time, she couldn’t help but laugh. Being surrounded by the popular girls, Addy, Brooke, Nora, and Sofie, didn’t help.

She remembered a vicious look in Brooke’s eyes. Brooke was always a mean girl who liked to manipulate others into being mean too. At a very young age, Everly realized this was the only reason Brooke had any friends at all. She had a nasty way of making people feel bad for not listening to her. When Benji walked past Everly for the first time, Brooke had whispered in her ear, "I dare you to call him a fat ugly beast. You know he is one. If you don’t do it, none of us will sit by you on the bus ride home today."

Brooke scared Everly. She was never worried about losing Brooke, but she was naive enough to believe their mutual friends would choose Brooke over Everly if she didn’t do what Brooke told her to do. So, ignoring the voice in the back of her mind, she’d done it.

The second the words escaped her lips she’d felt guilty, and a little bit broken as the poor, lonely boy’s blue eyes filled with tears and he ran towards the bathroom, but not before tripping. Kids had piled up around him, pointing and laughing at the fat kid with clenched fists huddled in the fetal position on the sticky hallway floor of Kailua Elementary School.

Everly had felt her face turn bright red. She’d felt like a bully, like someone she never wanted to be. She’d felt like someone she was scared of. She’d ran to the principal's office and reported herself immediately. Principal Akamu had been happy that Everly was able to come clean, but she still got a phone call home and had to write Benji an apology letter. He wasn’t eager to accept it, but if he hadn’t, they probably never would have started dating to begin with.

She felt herself pinching her skin and quickly snapped back into reality with a sinking feeling resonating in the pit of her stomach. She hated remembering that story as vividly as she did; it made her wonder how often Benji thought about it. She loved him and hated that she hurt him.

People do change.

Everly got up and started pacing around her room, thinking about how the rest of her day was going to go. She hadn’t seen Leo since May and the thought of him being back in Hawaii made her heart smile.

She was relieved she didn’t have to work while he was in town. Now she, Benji, Leo, and Addy could enjoy an uninterrupted week together. Normally, Everly would be working over forty hours a week at her mom’s local veterinary clinic: Eva’s Extraordinary Animal Hospital. Her mother, Eva, was the head vet there.

But when Everly’s grandma died a few months ago, two of her siblings and her mother went to New York for two months to stay with her Grandpa John. Everly had wanted to go but thought it would be silly to pay for an apartment she wouldn’t even be staying in.

Since Everly’s two morning encounters hadn’t been the best, she decided a cup of coffee would be a good idea. She walked out of her bedroom still wearing her pajamas with her jet-black hair in a high, messy bun and headed down the hallway towards the kitchen, but stopped short at the sight of Addy’s still closed bedroom door. She knocked the secret knock that they’d invented when they were only eight at their second sleepover. They’d decided they needed a code when entering a bedroom so none of their siblings ever crashed the party, and the knock itself stuck.

Everly spoke in a voice loud enough for her friend to hear, Addy, he said he’d be here at 9:30.

Okay, I’ll be ready, she heard Addy reply softly. With that confirmation, Everly headed towards the kitchen.

She walked past a picture of the two on the wall. They were out at some high school party, and although Everly didn’t love the picture, Addy had insisted they put it up because it was the first and only high school party Addy had successfully convinced Everly to go to.

Everly envied Addy for the way she looked. On top of being flawlessly beautiful, she liked putting makeup on and dressing in nice clothes. Although Addy claimed this was simply to make herself feel happy, Everly couldn’t help but speculate that she liked being the best looking in the room and would do anything she could to make that happen.

Addy had been boy-crazy since the sixth grade when Kai Nakamura, the cutest boy in school, told her she was the only girl pretty enough to kiss him. Addy and Kai planned to have their first kiss under the staircase at Kailua Elementary School one afternoon while all the kids were at lunch.

Addy had told Everly about their plan in advance but made her swear not to tell anyone. It ended up not staying a secret for long, though, because Mr. Kamaka had been walking down that exact staircase just in time to see it. Both Kai and Addy had been sent to the principal's office and Addy never brought it up to Everly again.

Still, that didn’t stop the rest of the grade from gossiping about it for nearly six weeks until Jasmyn Bane fell off the monkey bars at recess and broke her femur, becoming the new talk of the school.

But Addy hadn’t just been the prettiest girl in sixth grade, it stayed that way all throughout grade school and high school. She had naturally blonde hair and perfect eyebrows which Everly envied because her eyebrows were as bushy as they came. Her hazel eyes were always glowing because no matter the shade of eyeshadow she wore, she found a way to make them pop. She stood firmly at 5’ 6" and she never bit her fingernails, another thing Everly found easy to envy. Although Everly was smarter than her, Addy was not dumb by any stretch of the word. She just tended to rely more on her looks rather than her intelligence. Though even Everly couldn’t deny that Addy was one of the bravest people she had ever met.

Everly sat at one of the four barstools and sipped on her Starbucks K-cup in her favorite Halloween mug that looked like a cauldron. She began to wonder what Addy was wearing because she didn’t want to underdress. Everly would have preferred a big t-shirt and sweatpants but knew that wouldn't fly. Before she had time to think any deeper about clothes, she realized she was sipping coffee grounds, so she left her mug on the counter and headed to her bedroom to change.

After roaming around her closet for a few minutes, she resorted to one of her favorite outfits that she most definitely wore too much. It consisted of her favorite light-washed vintage jeans, and her all-time favorite graphic tee: a cropped bleach-dyed black shirt with a Rolling Stones tongue that looked like an American flag. A Rolling Stones concert was the first one Everly had ever been to, and she’d quickly learned to appreciate classic rock.

She French-braided her long, black hair down each side of her head and put a touch of clear lip gloss on her already plump lips. She added some mascara to help her gray eyes pop but avoided the concealer as her tan from the summer sun had started to fade a bit since she spent a lot more time indoors these days.

She looked in the mirror to observe herself. Her skin was naturally tanner than most, but that was easily explainable. Her father was fifty percent Hawaiian which made Everly twenty-five percent. Her hair resembled her father’s, but her eyes were identical to her mother’s. She was always told that she was a perfect mix of the two of them.

~~~

When she finished getting ready, she picked up her phone from her bed to check the time: 9:22 a.m. She threw it back in the face down position it was in moments before and headed to Addy’s room to see if she was ready, once again knocking their secret knock.

One second, Addy called out, but she didn’t sound like Addy. Her voice was distant.

What’s wrong? Everly asked through the closed door.

Nothing, Addy said, and she heard her scurry over to unlock her bedroom door. Addy rarely ever locked her door. When it finally opened, Everly was staring back at a puffy-eyed Addison Claire Davenport.

Everly didn’t know what to do and immediately blamed herself for her teary-eyed friend’s unpleasant mood. Addy! I’m sorry if I was harsh this morning I didn’t mean-

No, it’s not you Ev. I’m okay, really. It’s just, my sister. Today marks six years since…

Everly’s heart sank to her stomach.

How could I have been so stupid to forget? What kind of friend does that make me?

Oh my God, Addy. I can’t believe I missed the date this morning. Of course, I’m so sorry. Everly hugged her friend in the tightest embrace they’d had in a long time.

Addy forced a smile. It’s fine, I’m fine. I promise.

But Everly knew better. Of course you’re fine, Addy. You’re one of the strongest, bravest people I know. Listen, I was saving this for your 23rd at the end of next month, but I think now would be a good time. Come here. Addy smiled and followed Everly.

What did I do to deserve you? Addy asked.

I think it’s the other way around, Everly said.

She led Addy to her bedroom but insisted Addy stay out of her closet while she made her way inside. She went over to her grandmother’s old wardrobe and opened the secret compartment. Although it always saved her when it came to hiding gifts, she tended to hide things in there just for the fun of it, too. She grabbed the bottle of Yamazaki 12-year-old single malt whiskey. It was the exact same kind the two had stolen from Everly’s parents when they were just fifteen and getting drunk for the first time. She and Addy had been trying to find it for a few years now but were never successful. When