Caught

Chapter 3~Snap Crackle Pop...Scream

        My cleats crunch on top of the thick layer of rocks sticks and mysteries. Hailey and Teppy follow tightly behind me. I breathe out and take another step. I pick up pace and hear something to my right. Snap crakle pop just like that, snap crakle pop. I flinch and instinctively turn to face the noise, again I see a dark shape as it dashes into the protection of the thick wood. My cleats grip the dirt as I gingerly, yet quickly step in the direction of the shape's escape route. Still my pack follows behind.

        Sudeenly a scream. Sharp and ragid piercing your heart, because you know that scream. I've heard it on the playground, on the soccer field, in my own backyard. No, I tell myself. It's not her, this is not happening. It''s not her...it can't be. But it is. My head whips around, causing my dark blonde streaked hair to fall into my face. Hailey. I dash towards the pleading scream. Pleading for someone to help. For anyone to help. For me to help. "HAILEY!" I scream as loud and my throat can bare. "HAILEY!" My feet stumble in a tree root and I get tangled in the bush. I push my self up and keep running. Ignoring the grip marks of the trees.

        Then I hear it. Her. "HELP! CHARLEY! SEPTEMBER!" Her scream cut through me like a dark force, killing me. I see her. In my head, I can picture it. He has her slung over his sholder, dashing through the woods looking for an escape.

        But there is a flaw. I know these woods just about as good as Teppy.  I know they just crossed the bridge, voices tend to echo their. And I know a short cut.

        I make numerous turns to get to my destination. And then it's in sight. Just feet away, and it looks almost peaceful. Quiet. Ours. But no, I can see Hailey too. Just beyond the river. The dark figure has their fingers clenched around her wrist as he drags her away. Her cleats leave tracks in the moist dirt as she fights to stay put.

    I'm dashing towards her with everything I have. I can her September close behind. The figure is to strong for Haliey's resistance to do much, but it's just enough for me to shorten the distance between us inch by inch. Closer...CLoser...CLOser...CLOSer...CLOSEr...CLOSER. and then I'm right there. I grab Hailey's hand and try to pull her away. The figure notices and whips around. Their fist collides with my jaw and I fall back, losing my grip on Hailey.

    Everything is fuzzy for a second. I feel my back land hard and the dirt. I get up to my knees and the fuzziness turns to spinning. But it doesn't matter. All I can think about is Hailey and getting her back. I try to start running again but I trip on a root. My vision clears a little and Hailey is nowhere to be seen. "HAILEY!" I scream. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Shes gone, I couldn't save her. September finds me sitting on my knees looking lost and broken with tears streaming down my face.