The Beginning of the End

chapter 22

It was 6 in the morning and we all stood at the edge of the forest. The sun had yet to rise and fog layed on the forest floor. The trees stood tall, looming over me. You could still see drops of morning dew on the grass. We had decided to split up in teams and spread out to look for Harley. Taylor and Jessica, conrad and Blaise, and me and Beth. I stood next to Beth, nervousness coursing through my body. What if whatever took her, took another of us? My palms were sweaty and my breath was uneven. Taylor looked at all of us, determination in her eyes. "We'll meet back up every 3 hours. Don't leave your partner, and remember, we'll find her." She says, giving us a reassuring smile. The 3 groups nod and head in different directions, devoted to finding Harley. The leaves crunch under my feet as I walk, Beth one step behind me. "Do you think we'll find her?" Beth says, worry laced in her voice. I give her a small smile and stop walking. "Beth, we'll find her. I wont stop until we do." I say, my voice full of confidence. 'We have to find her. ' I think to myself. Beth nods and I continue walking. The trees surround me as I stomp through leaves and dead branches. The colors of the sunrise peek through the trees and I have to cover my eyes to block the bright light. "We'll find her." I say to myself.

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"Beth! Get down!" I urge as I peer around a tree. I quickly crouch down and peek over a thick bush. The leaves tickle my face as fear runs through me. Ahead of us is a small shack, the walls made of rotting wood and the windows shattered. The roof was covered in dead leaves and bird poop. Chopped wood lays around the building, and a shot gun is propped against the front door. Through the window, I can see a man. He has light brown hair, beginning to grey. His face is cleanly shaven and he has a small scar on his left cheek. That's the man from the photo with the little girl! I turn and tell Beth what I've discovered. Her eyes widen in shock. "Its almost been three hours," I whisper. "Run to the house. Tell them what we found and bring them here. " I demand. Beth nods but, stops suddenly. "Wait, what about you?" She asks hurriedly. "I'm staying here. To make sure he doesn't go anywhere. " I tell her. She nods and I move my hand in a motion to tell her to go.she runs away quietly and I turn back to see the man right infront of me. I go to pull my gun out but he kicks the side of my face and I fall to the ground. "Ah!" I scream out. Fear runs through me as he slams the butt of his gun onto my head and everything goes black.