I fall onto the ground. It's quiet at the edge of the forest, and a pleasantly warm sun (that I haven't felt in far too long) lightly touches my face. I hear panting around me and notice Mr. Marsh, Jason, and Annie tumble out of the same tunnel I exited from. I wait a moment for Nessie to come out. Her walking cast must have held her up in there. I go to the entrance and peer in when she doesn't emerge. “Nessie?” No response. “Have you guys seen Nessie? Is she still in there? You don't think - ”
They've come to stand by me now. They're all as clueless as I am. The bushes rustle behind us and Piddle steps out of the woods. He stares at us all with his feline eyes then turns and runs off, back into the woods. Jason immediately follows, me right on his heels, the Marshes bringing up the rear. We walk a ways before Piddle finally stops, sits down, and licks his little ginger paw, rubbing it over his cute, furry face. Deflated that he led us nowhere, I flop down next to him; he just gives me this look and starts nudging me. I mutter, “What are you trying to tell me?”
Pushing him away, I look at the ground where he was sitting and quickly put a hand to my mouth. I'm almost embarrassed as a single tear slips down my cheek. “Skylar? What is it?”
“She's done it. She's done it to protect us…”
My voice fails me, and then suddenly everyone understands - we will never see Nessie again. The last thing she did for us, for me was writing that one final note, that one final word in the dirt: SAVY.
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...
