It's Just The Woods

14

May 20th, 2021
Shadow Pond, CA
11:19 P.M.

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"We are right there!" Rachel told them. "We can get her!"

Shawn grabbed her arms, pulling her behind a small bush. "Rachel, we need to rest. Hailey's worried about you."

"Shawn, that thing could be putting its hands on her! Does that not make you so fucking mad?!" Her voice sounded rough, but it was only because she was trying so hard to not let out a scream that's she's been holding in for a while.

Shawn didn't let her go. She thrashed and thrashed, but finally stopped. She cried into Shawn's arms, sinking to the ground. He held her, watching the group from around them.

They were only a mile away from the base, but Rachel was losing it.

Fredrick sat beside them, leaning his head on Shawn's shoulder. "We all need a break." He whispered.

Beatrice looked into the woods, sighing and looking at the group. "You all take a break. I'll keep watch."

Nicolas sat against a tree nearby. Kyle sat in the grass, running a hand through his hair. Shawn played with Rachel's hair, knowing that it would make her fall asleep. Slowly, he closed his eyes.

Hailey picked at her nails, staring at the school in front of her. She took a deep breath before turning around. "I can't do it."

Her mom smiled softly. "Hailey, honey, Shawn and Rachel are in there waiting for you!"

Hailey shook her head. Before she could respond to her mom, someone ran into her. "I sorry!"

"Good job for using your manners, Nicky!" A woman stood in front of Hailey. She had two boys. They looked around Hailey's age.

She smiled. "I'm Hailey! Hailey Annalise Richardson. I am five years old-"

Hanna chuckled. "Hi, Katie."

"Hello, Hanna. She's just as beautiful as her mother." Katie told her. Hailey blushed deeply.

"Mommy's right! You are pretty like your mommy!" The boy who ran into her said. He smiled at her. He had a large gap in between his two front teeth. "I'm Nick and this is my twin brother, Fred."

Hailey shook their hands, smiling back. "Are you guys going to kindergarten?" She asked. They both nodded. She squealed and grabbed their hands. "You can walk with me!"

Hanna and Katie said bye to their children as they walked into the school. "I have two other friends. They're Rachel and Shawn. Rachel is really pretty, and Shawn is okay, I guess." She told them.

"Hay Hay!" Hailey turned around and saw Rachel running up to them with Shawn right behind her. Her face distorted in disgust. "Why are you holding hands with boys?" She gasped. "Are they your boyfriends?!"

Hailey gagged and shook her head. "Ew! Gross! Boys have cooties! And don't call me Hay Hay!" She let go of their hands. "They're my twins! This one's...um..." She stared at them before crossing her arms. "One of you need to change your face."

Fredrick giggled. "I'm Fredrick and this is Nicky!"

"I'm Shawn!"

When he shook Fredrick's hand, he noticed blood starting to spill down his arm. "Woah, Freddie, your arm is bleeding! We might need to take you to the hospital." He looked at Fredrick, who was his teenage self. "Freddie?" Shawn asked.