I hardly sleep again, and I find myself watching the news clip. How much do they know?
Taking a different approach, I search the internet for more about this story. There are a few more videos that give the same information, and several ridiculous conspiracy theories that I discard right away, but one page in particular really scares me. It's an article from our local newspaper posted just this morning and is about the search for Brooke, me, in Hunter's Station. It has pictures from security cameras all over town! One shows me leaving my bike at the supermarket, later taken by police as evidence, and another one of me leaving the library side door. The picture of Kitty's truck is blurred and mud covers the license plates, but you can plainly see my face as I look out the window.
How could I have been so stupid? Now they'll know exactly where I am!
My head starts to hurt.
Ugg, stress headache. Why Am I hiding from everyone? It's not like they want to hurt me, just the opposite!
Sunrise, no sleep again. That question bothers me all morning. I show Cole the pictures and he asks me the same thing. Then his parents, and even Pax! They all want to know why I'm so reluctant to let the authorities help, and frankly I do too.
"Cole and I are riding out to check the power lines down by the river, perhaps you'd like to come." Mr. Richardson offered. "It might help you clear your head a little bit."
"Shouldn't I stay here and..." I start to say.
"Nonsense, you've been a huge help and deserve a little break." Mrs. Richardson says. "Pax and I have got it under control here."
"Are you sure?" I ask.
"Positive. In fact, I'm forcing you to go." She laughs. I give her a hug.
"Thank you, for everything. I put you in danger, and you've been nothing but generous in return." I whisper.
"I would do it again in a heartbeat." Mrs. Richardson whispers back.
"Bye!" Paxton says and tackles me with a hug.
I steady myself against a wall and hug him back. "You're not coming?"
"No, last time I rode a horse I fell off and broke my arm. Mom doesn't want me to do that again, so I have to wait until I'm older now." He sighs. "But have fun anyways!"
"I will, you help your Mom!" I reply.
He makes a face at me, then runs upstairs to his room. The day is overcast but warm so I don't wear a jacket, just a long sleeved shirt and jeans. Since I don't have any boots, they lend me a pair of Kitty's. We walk out to the pasture and choose our horses, sort of. Cole immediately walks towards Bill, and I can't ride Dahlia, Mr. Richardson takes her next, so I guess I'm riding Bubba. He's a sweet horse with a beautiful gold-brown coat.
"We don't have any riding helmets that'd fit you, otherwise I'd give you one." Mr. Richardson says. "Think you can manage?"
"I guess we'll find out." I smile.
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Dahlia starts acting up about five minutes into the trek. She gets skittish and is rearing a lot.
"I'm going to take her back, you two go on ahead." Mr. Richardson yells.
"Do you need help Dad?" Cole yells back.
YOU ARE READING
Incessant Calling
General FictionWhat would you do if you couldn't die? Brooklyn Alice Fairfield is a mild mannered teen who's life is upended by the kidnapping of her family. While running from unknown adversaries, she and her friends race to find and rescue their loved ones. But...
