Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying [Peterick]

8. Missing

Patrick's POV

Both my parents are out this evening, leaving me at home to "babysit" Hayley. It's the perfect scenario - all I need is for Hayley to sleep through the whole time I'm out. I've finally gathered the courage to venture into the woods again; I can only hope Pete has too.

I grab a jacket, put on my shoes, then slip out the back door, trying not to alert the neighbours. If they told my parents that I was sneaking off, leaving Hayley with no one to look after her, I'd quite possibly be grounded for the rest of my life. So I would rather go unnoticed.

When I reach the edge of the trees, I take a deep breath. Steeling myself, I take the first step into the inky darkness of the woods.

I instantly feel the temperature drop by several degrees and I'm gladder than ever that I had the sense to bring a jacket this time.

I try to stay as silent as possible, although that's not entirely easy wearing my large boots. And I'm sure the sound of my heavy breaths and thumping heartbeat are at least loud enough for a hunting vampire to hear. But despite my worries, I forge on, eager to see Pete again.

As I push a branch of large, spiky leaves out of the way, I hear a noise. It sounds like several people, having a conversation in lowered voices.

My chest clenches tightly as I realise that they are probably vampires - and even worse, they're hunting.

I attempt to sink back into the foliage, but deep down I know it's too late. There's no way I'll be able to get past their infallible senses.

"Hey, Frank, did you hear that?" one of them says a little louder.

I close my eyes and pray that my death will be quick and painless.

"Hear what?" says who I assume is Frank.

I press myself further into the branches, even though I know that no amount of concealment can mask the surely strong scent of the blood that pumps rapidly through my veins.

One of the vampires begins to walk towards me, his steps mysteriously silent. He sniffs the air, searching for the telltale whiff of blood.

But somehow, he walks straight past my hiding place. Somehow, he hasn't sniffed me out.

But then I feel a tickle in my nose; I'm going to sneeze. Holy smokes, I think. He's going to find me, all because I can't control my freaking nose.

I clamp a trembling hand over my nose, but I can't stop it, and suddenly I let out a racking sneeze, spewing snot all over my hand. God damn it, I curse. I don't even have a tissue.

Of course, the sound of my outburst immediately attracts the attention of the vampires; not just the one who was searching for me just now, but all of them. I reckon there are four or five in total.

But then I realise I recognise one of them.

Pete.

We make sudden eye contact through my covering of branches, both of us recognising each other instantly. His eyes flare with panic and I can almost see his mind churning to think of a way to get me out of this situation.

I - as silently as possible - retreat backwards, hoping against hope that maybe they won't see me. Although I know that if I'm going to escape this, then it's going to be down to Pete, not me.

Suddenly, the sound of scattering leaves draws my attention back to where Pete stands. The other vampires flick their heads around to look too: Pete is pointing in the opposite direction to me. "I saw him go that way," he says.

The vampires look at each other.

"Well, let's tail him. Come on guys," says one of them. They all run off in the direction that Pete has now started running down.

I feel my chest sink a little as I realise I'm probably not going to get a chance to talk to Pete - although of couse I know that he'd likely get in huge trouble if he were caught with a human.

Still trying to be quiet - in case they come back - I make my way back through the woods. Checking my watch, I see that it's probably time I should get back anyway.

***

I turn into the alleyway that runs along the back of my house, the night air still and quiet. I encounter not a single person as I creak open the garden gate, then through the back door and into the warmth of the house.

I hear no sound as I tiptoe up the stairs, eager not to wake up Hayley. Before going into my bedroom, I decide to check on her, just to make sure she's okay. That's what my parents usually do.

I quietly open the door and see that her bedside lamp is on. Strange.

And even stranger: the fact that her bed is empty.

I feel a surge of panic flare in my chest, my mind quickly leaping to the most depressing of conclusions.

It's okay, I try to reassure myself. She's probably just gone to the toilet or something.

But after checking the bathroom and finding it empty, the real fear starts to set in.

I look in every possible place she could be hiding. I even go and check the calendar to make sure I'm not just being really forgetful and she's on a sleepover or something.

My search amounts to nothing. Hayley must have followed me into the woods. Oh shit. Shit, shit, shit.

After checking our stash of shoes and finding hers gone, my worst fears are confirmed.

She's gone. And it's all my fault.

WOOH I FINALLY WROTE IT. Hope you enjoyed that, and sorry for the slight cliffhanger :3
Thankyou so much for reading, please remember to comment and vote for much love :)))
Biyyyeee

P.S. And also I made a new cover, hope ya like it ;)