New Team, New Dream

Chapter 18

Our flip-flops pounded on the ground below us as we ran through the forest searching for any sign of Eliza. We called her name at the top of our lungs, searched for foot prints, scanned the trees for a flash of auburn hair, and looked for a piece of anything that belonged to her. Instead, we found nothing.

About an hour later, it was getting dark outside and was starting to rain. This made me want to scream in agony. Peyton looked so worn out that she was about to cry all over again, and we were drenched in sweat, tears, and rain.

Finally we collapsed on a big log. I was exhausted and Peyton was moaning in pain. We were covered in scratches and bruises, and throughout all our effort, there was still no sign of Eliza. I took out my phone to call her, but of course there was no signal in the woods.

I turned my front camera on to check how bad I looked and winced. My "waterproof" mascara was now dripping down my cheeks and I looked like a raccoon. My hair was frizzed out in all different directions, and my clothes were stuck to my skin. This week honestly couldn't have got and worse. For every good event, there was a horrible one following it.

Just then, I heard a scream from deeper in the woods. "Leave me alone! Get away from me!" Peyton looked at me and I nodded. It had to be Eliza. We grabbed our stuff and ran in the direction of the scream. I had never been so scared for what was about to come next in my life, but the actual sight was enough to scar me forever.

"ELIZA!" I yelled, running through the trees and into the clearing.

"Leave her alone!" I yelled, pushing the boy off of Eliza. She was pinned up against the tree with a knife to her throat, pressing into her when she talked. The boy staggered backwards and tripped over a root. He landed on his back, and the knife went flying over his shoulder. I ignored it and wrapped my arms around Eliza. Eliza began sobbing into my shoulders crying how she thought she was going to die. I was so afraid for her.