-- OUTSIDE MEIRAN QUARTERS --
"Holy shit, how long were we in there?" Mara asked as the crisp night air filled my nostrils.
"Doesn't look like it's too late," I replied. "sun's just starting to set."
Mom and Kerry started towards the trail when we spotted Basim rummaging in a bag next to a storage container. He looked up, "Terondes! How are you all?"
"Good" we uttered in unison.
"Just had a little trim with Hillary, what are you packing up?" Mom asked.
"Ah, this. I'm taking the boys up to the hiking trail since Joey and Ben are new, and Chris is tagging along." Bas looked to me, "Ah, and of course you're invited Vince, have you seen the trail yet?"
Kerry cut in, "Oh shoot, I've been meaning to take you guys up there, but we keep getting distracted."
"Hah, as most families do when the retreat begins. Would you like to come, Vince?"
I nodded and felt bad about Mara not being invited, but when I looked at her, she gave a raised eyebrow and shook her head like I just asked her to jump in an ice bath.
"That'll be nice for you hon, get to know the other boys a little better." Mom gave me a pat on the back as if I was a shy kid at the playground.
I smiled and said goodbye to them, and Mara had to get the last word, "Have a fun sausage fest!" I gave her the loudest middle finger I could, and she put two behind her back so I could see them as those three great asses walked away.
"Mara is interesting," Bas closed his satchel and we started to leave, "she's disrespectful but you all laugh."
"Oh, uh, yeah that's just kind of her personality. Always been like that since we were kids."
"I've seen many families here, the dynamics you Americans have never cease to amaze me."
"Yeah? Where are you from, Bas?"
"Morocco."
"Wow, how'd you end up all the way over here?"
"Meira, I met her when she came to Mediouna -- my hometown -- as a benefactor to some young mothers. They were family friends and so I volunteered to be her driver, hoping to earn some money, but after seeing what she could do, all I wanted was to join her."
I didn't realize how far Meira's work took her, but I guess you must be rich to fund this whole thing. I had more questions, but we neared the trail entrance and could hear Joey's unmistakable voice. He was chatting up Ben and Chris who both seemed relieved to see us.
"Hey Vince, good to see you again, man." Ben hugged me and started a chain for Chris and Joey to follow up.
"You seen the trail before, Vince?" I could sense Ben's confidence starting to build from when we first met, he seemed comfortable talking without his mom and sister around.
"No, I think Chris is the only one of us who's been, right?" I asked him while Bas started shuffling around in his bag.
"Oh, for sure, lots of good memories up on this trail..." He stared up the path and we watched Bas bring out a stick lighter to set the first standing torch ablaze.
Bas turned back to us, "Gentlemen, please follow me and watch where you step, the roots are ancient and strong."
We filed in with Ben in front of me and Joey and Chris behind. Despite the sun's faint glow before we started, the canopy quickly turned our path to night. Joey started chatting about the things he missed and Ben, having heard something about video games quickly switched places with me. The trail didn't wind until about fifty meters in, then we started going up in elevation. Stones began to appear next to the torches bearing the familiar "M" sans the usual decorative etchings.
Bas turned around, "Nearly there, everyone okay?" I looked back to see three thumbs up.
It was only a minute more of walking before the trail turned into stone steps leading into a break in the tree line. I thought this was going to be more forest, but we came upon what looked to be ruins in an open area. Crumbles of what looked to be large pillars and a center altar surrounded by four large braziers.
"Whoa," came Joey from behind, "this is just like Indiana Jones!"
Basim swept his hand across the view, "This, gentlemen, is the ancient prayer grounds. Used long before the one we built off the main trail."
I immediately thought of Chris's mom earlier today, peacefully splayed out on one of the wooden decks of the worship area. This somewhat resembled that configuration, with large stone slabs adorning worn symbols around the center altar.
"Is this area still used for rituals?" I asked.
"Rituals, no, but it is just as sacred as the new one. You can come here for a deeper connection to all of us, not just those of your blood." Bas answered
"Like the pools?"
"Like the pools, but different. You can bond here for an exceptional experience, and with higher purpose than a connection."
Chris chimed in, "It used to be how you'd bless the liquids, right?"
"Right Christopher, that ritual can still be performed here but the yield is small. Speaking of which, I must excuse myself to help with preparations for the Replenishment." He lit a brazier as we admired the sunset overlooking most of the camp.
"The what now?" Joey sat up from laying on one of the stone slabs.
"It's a ritual to make more of those elixirs we mix into everything." said Chris.
"Oh, how does that work?"
"Umm, I don't know the ins and outs, but it requires a lot of fucking."
Bas chuckled, "Yes, Mr. Allen's right but there is more to it. Maybe after I'm done setting up I can explain it to you, Mr. Shu. But in the meantime, you gentlemen are free to go back or stay here. There is more to the trail but from the smoke of the bonfire I believe dinner is served."
"Yeah I could go for some food right now." said Joey.
Bas went to the path but followed stone steps further into a copse of trees, lighter in one hand and a flashlight in the other.
I took the initiative and started down the stairs back to the main trail and the others followed. The flames guided us back and I could appreciate more of the greenery, but realized a lack of insects and animal sounds that usually accompanied my hikes. Before long we found ourselves back at the main circle path, the bonfire to our left and distant voices to our right.
"Hey boys," it was Nadia Hadi and Felicia -- Chris's mom, "How was the tour, honey?"
"It was good, these three got to see a little of the ritual peak." answered Chris.
"Oh, and Meira's?" asked Felicia.
"No, we got hungry and Bas had to setup for the Replenishment."
"Aww, well good thing we ran into you, all of us moms are headed to the lake house for dinner and drinks. We could use some good boys to join us."
Nadia nodded along with Felicia and hooked an arm around mine, her grey eyes begged me to come but I didn't need much convincing. I knew Chris wouldn't refuse his mom and Joey asked, "Is there going to be food there?"
"Of course, honey." replied Felicia.
"You guys go ahead, I want to hang in my room for a bit." Ben's arms were crossed and I figured he got a little shy. After parting ways, the five of us headed towards the lake house, and on the way, I realized I hadn't set foot in there as well.
-- LAKE HOUSE --
Large sliding glass doors surrounded by treated wood opened to what looked like a cafeteria. Circular tables were dotted with small half-eaten plates and a counter to the far right held colorful cups. A surprised Ren poked her head out and waved, her D cups following with ample movement while she also mixed a drink.
Joey grabbed some nearby untouched plates of small tacos and offered them to us. Chris and I partook as Nadia and Felicia refused. "We had some at the gathering area, looks like the ladies were more interested in drinking anyways." said Nadia.
"What can I get you guys?" asked Ren.
Felicia replied, "Two lemon drops for us, beautiful" she turned to us, "Vodka soda for Chris and..."