Trouble in the Forest

Vacation Gone Awry: Chapter 8

After what felt like forever, Josh's instincts jumped into action and made him come to his senses. Despite the debilitating effects of his emotions, he was able to force himself to run for the window.

He leaped through it once he got to it and turned around to close it behind him as quickly as possible. At the same moment that Josh closed the window, Marcus had reached it and was glaring at the Parkers through the thick glass.

Behind Marcus Stone, Josh could see his father taking his last few labored breaths. William turned his head slightly and looked at Josh with all the strength he had left. Although he could not express his thoughts, Josh could see in his father's eyes that he was telling him to keep fighting. Finally, William's eyes fluttered shut for good.

Taking a deep breath, Josh turned away from his father and looked at Anna. Anna knew. She did not need him to say anything because she could read it in his face.

"We got to hurry up. Marcus is going to be after us any second now. We have to get out of here."

Anna breathed, "Yes, but where?! We are stuck on the roof!"

Josh crept slowly to the edge, looked over to assess how high they were, and said, "We are not that high up. If we jump we could make it. As long as we bend our legs and land properly then we will be fine."

Anna nodded, "Ok Josh, I trust you. You go first with Jamie and then I will go after."

Josh agreed and told Jamie to hold onto his back. Terrified, Jamie clutched onto his back and the two approached the edge of the roof. Swiftly, Josh pushed himself and Jamie off the roof and landed with his legs bent before carefully standing up. He made it and they were okay.

"Mom, did you see that? Push yourself off and then land with your knees bent before extending upwards into a normal stance."

"Ok," she responded.

Anna began to cautiously move to the edge of the roof when suddenly her foot slipped on a slick part of the roof. Unable to catch her balance, Anna went flying over the edge of the roof and landed on the ground below with a deafening thump. She looked up, hair tangled in her face, and let out a scream of pain.

"My leg. My leg. My leg. I can't move Josh."

Josh raced forward with Jamie by his side to investigate and was horrified to discover that both of his mother's legs were broken. They were discolored, swollen, and bleeding in various places.

Anna asked, "How bad is it, Josh?" Josh hesitated, not knowing what to say. "Tell me!"

"It's bad Mom, it's really bad."

Then, to their dismay, Marcus Stone exited the house to their right. He was breathing heavily and had a wicked look on his face that craved blood. He began to stalk towards them and swung his hand out to reveal he was holding a revolver. Jamie yelled and began to cry again, beginning to understand what was going on.

Josh looked back at Anna and pleaded, "Mom, listen, I'm going to help you up ok? Lean on my shoulder and I will lift you."

Anna screeched, "Josh, no. I will hold you up. There is no way any of us have a chance of surviving if you continue to drag me along. Both my legs are broken and I can't even walk. I do not stand a chance. Please listen to me."

"No! Absolutely not! I am not leaving you behind!"

"Please Josh, please."

Behind them, Marcus was fastly approaching. He laughed, "Ya know what is funny? My favorite part about playing these games is I can use so many different types of weapons. The tiny pocket knife is a great way to start because it scares everybody to pieces. Then a good old knife always does a great job of creating a dramatic scene. But guns. They are the best part because they are quick and easy. Not to mention, I find them quite merciful at times."

Anna whispered, "Josh. Take care of yourself and your sister. I love you both. Fight as long as you can."

Josh stared back into his mother's defeated eyes and realizing he had no other choice, he grabbed Jamie by the hand and began to run with her. He could hear Marcus laughing vilely in the background the closer he got to Anna when suddenly a wretched scream followed by a single shot echoed through the air. Josh and Jamie were now orphans.