Angle paced the living room, the floorboards creaking under her restless footsteps. Each tick of the clock echoed in the silence, a reminder of the time slipping away since Belle had disappeared into the night. Her stomach twisted with anxiety, gnawing at her like a hungry predator. Where was her sister? Why hadn't she come back?
Billie and Shawn stood nearby, their faces masks of worry, but there was something about their demeanor that didn't sit right with her. They exchanged furtive glances, whispering to each other in hushed tones, as if sharing secrets she wasn't privy to. The flickering light from the overhead lamp cast shadows across their faces, highlighting the tension that hung in the air. Something was off, and Angle could feel it in her bones.
"Tell me the truth," she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended. "Where is Belle? You're hiding something from me."
Billie flinched at her words, and Shawn's expression hardened. "We're not hiding anything," Shawn shot back, his defensiveness only fueling her unease. "She went for a walk. She'll be back."
"Don't lie to me!" Angle snapped, her frustration boiling over. "I know my sister. If she went for a walk, she'd be back by now. Something is wrong." The desperation in her voice clawed at her throat, threatening to spill over into tears. She couldn't break down. Not now. Not when Belle needed her.
Billie ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. "Maybe she just lost track of time. It happens," he said, though his tone lacked conviction.
"Enough!" Angle said, cutting him off. "You two have been acting strange since she left. I can feel it. You know something, and I need you to tell me what it is." The accusation hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.
Before either boy could respond, she turned on her heel, her mind racing with possibilities. She needed to find Belle. It was her responsibility as her sister. Angle grabbed her jacket and stormed towards the door, her resolve hardening with every step.
"Where are you going?" Shawn called after her, his voice laced with concern.
"To find Belle!" Angle replied, her heart racing with determination. "I can't just sit here and wait. If you won't help me, I'll do it myself."
Without waiting for their response, she pushed the door open and stepped into the cool night air. The darkness enveloped her, but it felt invigorating, fueling her urgency. She took a deep breath, the crisp scent of pine and damp earth filling her lungs. The moon hung high above, casting silvery light across the path that led into the woods.
"Belle!" Angle called, her voice echoing through the trees. "Where are you?" The silence that followed felt deafening, amplifying her fear. What if something had happened? What if the boys knew more than they were letting on?
As she ventured deeper into the forest, memories of Belle flooded her mind—the laughter they shared, the late-night talks, the promises they made to always protect one another. A sense of dread settled in her stomach as she recalled Belle's uncanny ability to find her way through the darkest of nights. If anyone could navigate this place, it was her sister. But where was she now?
Angle pressed on, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the rustle of leaves and the distant call of an owl, but there was no sign of Belle. Each step felt heavier, the weight of uncertainty threatening to drag her down.
Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of something in the moonlight—a glimmer of white against the dark soil. She rushed toward it, her pulse racing. As she got closer, her breath caught in her throat. It was a piece of Belle's shirt, stained and torn. The sight sent a jolt of panic through her.
"Belle!" she screamed, her voice breaking as fear clawed at her insides. "Please! Answer me!"
But there was only silence.
She sank to her knees, desperate to make sense of what she had found. Had Belle gotten hurt? Did she run into trouble? The thought sent chills down her spine. She had to find her sister, had to know if she was okay. There was no time to waste.
Angle pushed herself to her feet, determination burning in her chest. She pulled out her phone, the screen illuminating her face. "Come on," she whispered, glancing at the screen. No service. Of course. The woods were notorious for cutting off any connection to the outside world.
"Think, Angle," she muttered to herself, willing her racing thoughts to calm. She needed a plan. The boys had mentioned a stream nearby; maybe she could follow it and find a way out of the forest. With renewed purpose, she took off in the direction of the sound of rushing water, her heart guiding her through the darkness.
The trees loomed overhead, but Angle felt a fierce fire within her. She couldn't lose Belle. Not now, not ever. She would tear through the night, face whatever dangers lay ahead, until she found her sister and brought her home.
As she ran, each step echoed her promise: she would find Belle. Nothing would stop her.
