Blackout • NH

Chapter 34

Day 88, Monday, August 6th: 7:32am

I've been riding for the past 2 hours. I took one of the horses and bolted out of there without waking anyone up thank god. I've been riding along the coastline, not want into put myself in any more danger but going into the local towns or forests.

"Jodie." An eerie voice says.

"Flight?"

"Why did you leave the group?"

"I was a burden to them. This baby is going to hold us all back so it was best."

"I can't tell you what to do but all I can do is give advice and suggest ideas."

"Well what kind of advice do you even have Flight?" I ask, clearly annoyed.

"If you're still wanting to survive, you should head into the Everglades. Nobody will be brave enough to find you there. However, it is very tough to survive in that environment, the tall saw grass will hold in heat so the temperature may be cool but the grass is always warmer. So stay away from the saw grass fields."

"Will it be safe to give birth there?"

"Sadly not, but if you play your cards right, fresh clean water and a dry place in the trees will be the most sanitary for you. I hope you know how to climb trees Jodie."

I sigh, giving my horse a good kick, sending him into a full gallop. Next stop, the Everglades.

NIALL'S POV

I wake up to the sun shining directly into my face. I yawn and look over to my right to see that the bed is empty. That's right. Jodie and I had a huge fight last night. I should try and go talk to her.

She was pretty upset about this whole situation, I understand why but in all honesty I was secretly really happy. Even in is fucked up world, there's now two reasons I should fight to survive. Jodie and the little bundle of joy we created.

I get up and use the toilet and then head out the door to the old botanical gardens that has overgrown the hotel. I walk through the thick forest of flowers and trees and pick up a a few daisies and hydrangeas to take to Jodie. She'd really love these.

I head back to the hotel and bump into a panic struck Liam when I open the door.

"Woah mate, are you okay?" I ask.

"Niall, have you seen Jodie!" Liam asked, worrisome.

"What do you mean, she's probably helping out with breakfast or hanging with Marion."

"That's the thing Niall. Nobody has seen her all morning! Her stuff is gone!"

I suddenly drop the flowers and stare widely at Liam.

"What do you mean her stuff is gone!" I start to breathe heavily.

"She just disappeared. We haven't seen her since last night." Liam said, confused and upset.

I push past Liam and run upstairs to me and Jodie's room. I begin to search around to find everything of hers is gone. Everything except her sweater. The one she lost when she was taken.

Oh no. What if Elliot took her.

"Liam! Liam!" I say quickly as I run back down to where I had last seen him. He was now with the group outside by the overgrown seating area outside.

"What is it Niall!"

"What if Elliot took her again?"

Everyone's eyes grew wide and they looked towards me. Everyone except Ellen. Poor girl, Jodie was the only thing she had close to her and now she's alone.

"We need to find her. Everyone grab your things and pack your bags. We have to find her!" Aiden shouted.

We all ran back to our rooms and grabbed what we needed to head out. Once everyone had their stuff tacked onto the horses, we were about to take off along the beach when Aiden shouted.

"Everyone halt!"

"What is it?" Marion asked, concerned.

"Horse tracks. They lead down the beach. I have a gut feeling that we should follow them to see where they lead. Maybe it could be Jodie?" Aiden said hopeful.

"I hope so." I say, unsurely.

We all began to take off down the beach at a full gallop. Hoping to catch whoever was on this horse.