One Step Forward [ON HOLD]

Chapter 6

"I'm going for a walk," I said, grabbing my jacket and heading for the door.

"But Amber, it's ten degrees out," Kai said. "You'll freeze."

But he couldn't stop me. I grabbed my scarf and headed out the door. The cold hit me and I pulled my scarf close. Let's go for a run, I told myself. I ran down the street, my breath clouding in front of me. I jogged into town, casting my glance on the couples on the streets, clinging to each other for warmth. Then it started to snow. I slowed to a walk, refusing to cry. I didn't want to freeze any more than I was already. But I failed to prevent them from coming. They spilled down my cheeks and they left them cold.

I shivered and sat on a bench in the courtyard of a park. I pulled my knees up to my chest and tucked my head in, crying silently. I shivered and stood. Walking around town, I felt incredibily lonely. I slipped on some black ice and fell hard on my hip. Some of the couples across the street stopped to stare. Some of them pointed and I heard my name a few times. I stood and ran as far and as fast as my feet would carry me.

~~***~~

Alice looked out the window. "Amber has been gone a long time," she said. "I'm getting worried."

Kai stood up. "Do you guys want to go find her?" he asked.

"Yeah," everyone said.

"We can take my car," Kai said as they got their coats on.

They rode around town and parked the car in front of the Java Junction. Everyone exited the car and started to search the town. Alice walked over to a group of teens that looked like they went to Lorein. "Excuse me," she said, "but have you seen Amber? She left the house and hasn't come back yet."

They just looked at her, saying nothing. Alice looked at them desperately. One of them pointed to a spot in the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street that was covrered in ice. "Last I saw her she fell on the ice there and then ran away," he said.

Alice nodded thankfully. "Th- Thank you!" She exclaimed, running to the other side of the street. However, she wasn't looking where she was going and she ran into a tall figure. Her feet slipped on the slick ground and she fell flat on her back. "Oww!" she screamed, squinting her eyes shut.

"Are you alright, miss?" A boy asked her.

Alice opened her eyes and looked into Jasper's peircing blue ones. His expression was worried and he held a hand out to her. Alice took it. He pulled her to her feet, steadying her so she stood balenced on the ice. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you, Jasper," she said. "But have you seen Amber? She left the house almost an hour ago and hasn't come back."

Jasper's eyes hardened. "No, I haven't seen her. But I will help you find her."

"Thank you Jasper," Alice said, relieved. "Ok, so one of the boys from across the street said that she fell on the ice here and then ran away in that direction." She pointed down the street.

"Got it." Before Alice could respond, Jasper took off down the street with incredible speed and balance in the thin sheet of ice that covered the ground. "Amber, where have you gone." He asked himself. He passed an alley that was darkened by the night. He backtracked a few steps and stared down the alley. 'Did I hear something?' He thought. He took a few steps down the alley and heard soft crying. "Amber? Is that you?" He whispered into the night.

"Jasper?" A voice croaked. He could tell whoever it was was choked with tears. He moved toward it and found her, sitting on the cold ground, shivering, and dusted with snow.

~~~***~~~

I looked up and saw a pair of relieved blue eyes in front of me. "Jasper!" I cried and I threw myself into his arms. He held me tightly and my head spun. "Oh Jasper she's gone!" I cried.

"Who?" He asked.

"My grandmother," I said softly before passing out from sickness.

~~~***~~~

Jasper felt Amber's muscles go limp. He picked her up and carried her out of the alley and toward where he left Alice waiting. She was at a table with her other friends, who were trying to figure out what to do next. They saw him approach, and they all leapt up, relieved that their lost friend was found.

They returned home, putting the tired and sleeping Amber in bed.

Alice looked at Jasper. "Thank you Jasper," she said speaking for everyone.

"Please, just let me know when she wakes. I wish to speak with her."

And with that he left, leaving the group of friends to wonder what his words meant.