Don't go into the woods.

Chapter I

*Flashback*

"I'm gonna get you!" My dad yelled from the shed.

I giggled and ran towards the house. "No, you big monster! You can't get me! I slowed down when I reached the deck, and started climbing up the stairs.

My dad grabbed me from behind and lifted me high up in the air yelling, "I got you!" He brought me close down to his face and acted as if he was biting my neck.

I laughed so hard that my face hurt. He put me on the ground as he said, "Alright pumpkin, I'm going to make a quick lunch for us. I'll be right back. Don't go into the woods."

He said that last part so naturally.

"Okay! I called back. I walked across the yard to find something to play with.
My eyes landed across my bubbles and I started blowing them in the hot sun to keep me occupied.

It was a decent day out. Hot but, windy. I sat on the ground and started looking at the little flowers sprouting from the ground. I heard a rustle, and immediately looked to the woods. I waited in silence and stood up. Next thing I knew I was walking right towards to where I heard the sound. I knew I wasn't supposed to go into the woods. But, I couldn't help myself. I was curious.

I stopped right in front of the wooded area. "Hello?" I called out. I listened and heard nothing. I knew I heard something back here.

I felt a muscular hand grasp around my tiny wrist tightly. I screamed out in help while trying to get away. "Come here babygirl." I heard a deep, raspy male voice say.

"Dad!" I screeched. I looked back and saw my dad walk out of the door and drop the lunch tray he was carrying him his hands. Just then, I was let go. I ran. I didn't stop or even look back. I just ran until I knew I was safe. My dad picked me up and quickly took me to my mom who was on the deck frantically dialing the police. As soon as my mom got a hold of the them my dad was searching right outside of the woods.

I noticed he never went in there.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

The police arrived about 20 minutes prior to the call. My mother jumped up from the couch to let them in. I was scared to talk to the police because I thought maybe they wouldn't believe an 8 year old like me. My parents did all of the talking. My father recalled everything I told him perfectly. There was an officer interviewing us, and two officers investigating the woods.

One of the officers from outside came in and asked to speak to the officer interviewing us; Officer Nale. They stepped out and left my parents, 14 year old brother Seth, and me.

My mother sat with her lips tight. "I knew there was something wrong with those damn woods." she finally said.

We all sat back in silence until the officers came back in. "We have some good news for you all." The third officer said. My mother and father straightened up in their seats.

"Please do tell us." My father urged.

"We found nothing in the woods. We did and careful search and came up with nothing. So you're all safe and good to go." My parents faces fell.

"And you searched the whole property?" My mother said speaking up. You could tell she was getting angry.

"Yes ma'am. The whole acre." The second officer said.

"Wrong. There's 15 acres of land. All of it is ours. So, you obviously did not search all of our land." My mother snapped. "Besides, it couldn't possibly take two of you to search through an acre of land, let alone all 50 in the amount of time you had. An hour." She added.

The officers were silent for a moment. "Mr. And Mrs. Nelson... May we speak to you in private? Away from your children. Please?" Said the second officer.

My mom and father slowly looked at each other. My father nodded to my mother, signaling that it was okay to talk to them. "We can talk in the kitchen."

I watched all five of them disappear behind the wall. I tried listening but, couldn't hear anything. They must've been talking quietly.

"You shouldn't have went into the woods." Seth finally said.

"I didn't! I just walked over there and I got pulled in by this strange man." I said squinting my eyes while trying to remember what he looked like.

"The police probably think you're lying. I'm not sure if I believe you either." Seth said furrowing his brow as if he was debating to see if I was telling the truth.

"I promise you, I'm not lying. Why would I lie about something so serious Seth?!" I said in disbelief.

"Hm. I don't know. That's what I'm trying to figure ou-"

"My child is not faking this!" My mom yelled.

We both froze in shock. Seth was right.. They thought I was lying.

"Ms. Nelson. We found nothing in the woods. How can we be sure your daughter is telling the truth?" They were talking loud enough for us to hear now. "Are you sure that your child doesn't play with imaginary friends anymore? Maybe, she was playing and thought she saw something."

"Are you kidding me?! My child never had imaginary friends! She wouldn't lie to us about this. I'm worried about our safety and now we can't even live comfortably in our own home! You didn't even search the whole damn 15 acres!"

"Calm down ma'am. We're doing the best we can but, like I said we can't be too sure that someone is in the woods."

"No, I will not calm down!" She was beyond yelling at this point. Without even having to see her, I could tell she was red in the face.

She was still screaming her face off but, in the middle of her words I can hear my father trying to calm her down.

"Elaine! Stop it now! If we keep yelling at them, we might not get any help at all! Just stay calm." It was crazy how quick they calmed each other down. Though, my mother was the one with a quicker temper.

"If you see anymore suspicious activity in or around the woods. Don't hesitate to call us. And we will investigate more." One of the officers said.

My mother scoffed. "Thank you." My father said.

They all walked to the front of the house near the front door. It was in clear shot of the living room. Which is where my brother and I were sitting the entire time since the police arrived. We watched as they all exchanged small goodbyes.

Officer Nale stayed back to apologize for the inconvenience with the other officers and that he appreciated us for calling them as soon as we did and not waiting. He came over to me and apologized for what happened to me. He also left me his personal card to call if I needed it. He finally left with a handshake from my parents, and nod to my brother and I.

After that day nothing happened since.