Lost Soul

Chapter Sixteen: Falling For You

Daniel sits up and scrubs his face. "No," he groans, "she just needed some space."

Ava straightens. "Is someone in here with you?"

"Did something happen? Where's Rae?"

Ava flinches. "It was just a bad dream. I'm sure she's fine."

I grab Ava's shoulders. "Your dreams aren't just dreams. What did you see?"

Ava shakes her head. "No. I'm wrong. Why would Erick-?"

"You saw Erick? Where, Ava!?"

"I-I don't know. It was dark and Rae was running. She was scared."

"Stay here, wake the others. I'm going to find her." I yank my shoes on and Daniel gets off the bed.

"What? I'm sure she's fine. Ava said it was just a dream."

"You don't get it!" I shout at him. "Ava's been right about everything so far. I'm not taking the risk! If Erick's done something to her... I'll kill him."

I dash out the door and down the motel stairs. I leave the gates behind, despite the guards shouting at me to come back.

"RAE!" I scream.

It's dark out. The moon is hidden behind clouds. I can't see anything.

"Raven!" Daniel catches up to me and pulls me back. "Stop! It's too dark to see anything. You won't be able to find her."

I shove at his chest. "Get off me! I should've brought her back as soon as she left! I should've known something would happen!"

"It's not your job to know."

"Yes! It is! With Will go-gone, it is all on me. They look up to me! I keep them safe! I have to!"

He grabs my shoulders, minding the bullet wound. "It doesn't have to be your burden alone, Raven. Take a breath. We can find her."

"I can't lose her," I sob.

"Raven!"

Daniel turns at the voice and waves.

Nick runs up.

I scrape my tears away. "What are you doing out here?"

He nods at Daniel. "He filled me in. I'm a great tracker. I can help. Follow me."

I latch onto Nick's shirt as he guides us through the dark.

As we walk, the moon must come out from behind the clouds, because a silver glow lights up the ground where I look.

Nick finds a snapped twig with a patch of Rae's shirt on it. "This is good."

"She was running," I whisper, taking the scrap and holding it gingerly in my hands.

Nick and Daniel share a glance, then keep going, tugging me along.

My hands tremble as I hold the scrap of her shirt to my face.

I can't lose her. I can't. I can't lose anyone else. I can't go on if she's gone.

I remember the look she gave me when she left. It's not good enough. I hold back tears. I've already cried in front of one stranger, I don't need to cry in front of two.

Not good enough.

I squeeze my eyes shut. I can't lose her.

A scream pierces the air and my eyes flare open.

"Raven, wait-."

I ignore Nick and take off into the woods. "RAE!" I bellow, leaping over fallen trees and slapping branches out of the way. "Raelynn! I'm coming!"