Ten years ago, Helena stood on the porch of her family home, clutching the borrowed sleeping bag to her chest. Cole Holmes lingered in the background, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and affection.
"Thank you for letting me borrow this," Helena said, gesturing to the sleeping bag.
"Stay safe out there, Helena," Cole replied, his voice warm yet solemn.
Helena gave him a small smile before turning and walking away, leaving Cole behind as she ventured into the woods with Braeden by her side. As they walked, the sun filtered through the trees above, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor.
"Where do you see yourself in the future, Helena?" Braeden asked, breaking the silence between them.
"Truthfully, I don't know," she admitted, furrowing her brow in thought. "But I hope it involves being there for Olive."
"Olive's lucky to have you in her life," Braeden said softly, reaching out to take Helena's hand. "And so am I."
Their conversation was suddenly shattered by the sound of multiple explosions echoing through the woods. Birds took flight from the trees, their panicked calls filling the air as Helena and Braeden exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"Was that the Marina?" Helena whispered, fear gripping her heart.
"Come on, we need to see what's going on!" Braeden urged, pulling her along as they raced towards the chaos.
In the present, Macey Mason and Preston Horne followed the bloodhounds as they tracked Ash's scent. The dogs' noses were glued to the ground, their tails wagging with determination.
"I just don't understand how we ended up here," Preston said, his voice strained as he glanced over at Macey. "After our parents died, I continued with school, trying to be strong for Ash. But she changed so much."
Macey looked at him sympathetically, gripping his arm for a moment. "You can't blame yourself for your sister's actions, Preston," she said firmly. "You did the best you could with the circumstances you were given."
"Sometimes I wonder if it was enough," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the bloodhounds as they continued their relentless pursuit.
"Your love and support mean more than you know," Macey assured him, her eyes filled with conviction. "But now, we need to focus on finding Ash and getting to the bottom of this mystery."
YOU ARE READING
The Wedding Party
FanfictionYour invited to the wedding of Preston and Olive on the secluded Island Paradise of their dreams. Sun and sand await you, if you can survive. Olive is more then excited to marry the man of her dreams, but as wedding guests begin to disappear what wa...
