From Broken Branches to New Roots

Chapter Four: Rain

At first some of the others played off her disappearance as just Fiore pulling everyone's legs, but they waited about ten or so minutes before taking it seriously. However, Connor decided to contact Oliver.

Oliver was on the phone with him for a few minutes.

"I-I don't know what to do, we can't send Derek and Trevor down there–" He was cut off by Connor.

"Get the authorities, some officers, what if someone kidnapped Fiore? You know it'd be your fault right?"

Oliver mumbled anxiously under his breath.

"I know, gosh, um, I wasn't supposed to do this, but considering the circumstances, I can send the returning contestants to come help you find her? They're supposed to be there shortly, Kristal was going to have them show up for next week's challenge to boot off two other players. Should make your search party easier."

Connor shook his head, fully knowing Oliver couldn't see his reaction.

"Whoa, whoa, this is serious, adding two more people isn't going to help us! We need proper authorities."

"I-I know, I'm going to tell Kristal right now, but just let the other contestants help you, okay?"

He was hung up on. Connor sighed loudly after the call. He felt pathetic, but that shouldn't stop him. He walked back into the dining area. Everyone stared at him.

"We'll form a search party. There's about five of us so far, we can split into pairs and look for her. We're also getting help from two new players arriving here."

Miriam seemed surprised.

"There's more contestants coming back? I thought it was just us?"

"Yeah, Oliver said there's only two of them coming in, so we'll need their help immediately when they get here. But for now, we'll split up and look around the motel."

Everyone nodded.

"Hey Lake, maybe you and I can work together?" Hunter offered quickly.

"Of course, I think we should check out back where the dumpsters are, there might be more ground to cover there." She got up from her seat and followed him outside.

James turned and looked at Miriam.

"We can head up to the bus stop, is that good with you?" He asked.

"I don't see why not." She shrugged.

"Good, I'll stay here and wait for the others to get here." Connor told them as he watched Miriam and James leave together to head to the bus stop.

It was quiet for a little while. He waited for 30 or so minutes after he went through the entirety of the motel. That's when he heard a constant ringing from the front desk.

"Hey, let's not overdo it, Karol." A soft spoken voice said.

Connor rushed to the desk finding Karol there waiting alongside a tall woman wearing a scout master's uniform. He sighed in relief.

"Karol, it's great to see you." He said in his best friendly voice he could.

"Connor, it's been a while," Karol said as she looked around the motel lobby. "Where's the staff? We just got here."

"Yeah, I actually own this place if you didn't forget. But enough about that, we're actually having a search party right now, and I had to wait until you two showed up so you could help us."

Karol crossed her arms.

"Depends on who got lost." She raised an eyebrow.

The woman next to her frowned.