I don't know how long I have been sitting here crying with Mr. Marsh, but it feels like it's been an eternity.
If I sit here a second longer I just might lose my mind. I have multiple times already...why not again? All of a sudden I begin to hear voices again. I wipe my eyes and motion in the direction of the voices to Mr. Marsh. They come closer and closer until two people emerge from the bushes. I can tell they are both girls, one shorter than the other, but we are in complete darkness, I won't know who they are unless I can recognize their voices.
“Nessie! Come on Nessie give us something!” Suddenly Mr. Marsh's eyes light up.
“Annie,” he croaks, and then suddenly cries out, “ANNIE! Annie I'm right here!” I look up just as the girl turns her flashlight on. It is Annie. I decide not to tell Mr. Marsh that there is no way she can hear him; everyone needs a little hope to cling to...
“Please, Vanessa come on...” This time I instantly recognize the voice. Skylar. It's Skylar. I am filled with newfound joy and hope. It has been far too long since I have seen Skylar.
“I'm right here guys! Annie! Skylar! Guys!” In my brief moment of joy I again forget that they can't hear me.
“Let's go check that clearing,” Annie says dejectedly, and starts to walk past us.
“Wait—” Skylar begins.
“What?” Annie stops.
“I feel like...like she's here.”
Yes, that is my best friend.
“Yes, Skylar, you're right!” I scream out.
Of course, no response.
“What do you want to do?” Annie asks.
“You go ahead, I'll...catch up.”
I watch as Annie walks right past me. I glance at Mr. Marsh and I can see tears swell in his eyes as his daughter walks right past him. I look back up at Skylar just as she turns her flashlight on and begins to look around.
“Mr. Marsh listen to me. I'm gonna get us out of here, I just have to find a way to communicate with Skylar.”
He looks at me earnestly, “Okay.” I fling myself across the cave floor until I'm sitting right under Skylar. Shooting pains are still surging through my body almost blinding me again when Skylar begins to speak.
“Vanessa, if you're here, please do something...anything...please...” She lets her flashlight drop down until its only shining on the ground right in front of her. I get an idea, the best idea I have had all night.
I throw myself on the ground right in front of Skylar, and as quick as I can, begin to write in the dirt floor at the entrance to the cave. It burns my fingers and I landed on my bad ankle but I clench my teeth as hard as I can and continue writing. As I finish, I look up and see Skylar's eyes grow huge.
“She's here...” She whispers. “She's here! Annie, she's here! Everyone, she's here!”
YOU ARE READING
The Endless Night
Action"...never walk out alone..." Rumors have haunted the property around the little cottage for years. Vanessa Görtz and her family have just moved in and her parents are taking these rumors seriously. Vanessa decides to take matters into her own hands...
