2 - The Hunt

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I shivered. It was cold in the library, but it was the only place I could think of that would have information on different types of leaves and where to find them in my area.

"Excuse me." I got a woman's attention that worked at the library. "Do you know where I could find a book about types of leaves?"

The woman smiled. "Of course. We have a large selection of nature books, and you'll find them right over there, on the left." She pointed towards the back of the library.

I nodded. "Thanks." I said, making my way over there. I examined the names and designs of each book, until I found an encyclopedia all about leaves. I opened it up to the glossary. There were multiple pictures and descriptions of leaves, and where to find them. I pulled the leaf I got from the killer out of my pocket. The note the killer had left for me also fell out. I shuddered.

He had seen me... But he didn't kill me. Why? I assumed he just wanted to let me live and suffer, knowing that I was unable to help my friend. But... If I was lucky, he hadn't seen me at all, and left the note just in case there had been someone else in the apartment. I hoped it was that last option, because his smiling face and unblinking eyes were haunting my mind.

I tucked the note in my pocket again, and then examined the leaf. It matched up with one of the pictures, and I smiled slightly. The book said there was a large forest nearby that had these kinds of trees. I read the name of the forest. "Mavo woods and camping grounds." I mumbled. I head back to the front of the library and grabbed a pen from the desk.

I had no paper except for the note, so I copied down the name of the forest "MAVO"

I tucked it back into my pocket and the leaf, too. I felt a little guilty, since I didn't put the book back, but I had more important things to worry about.

If it was a camping site, then I could buy a small tent and set up camp while looking for the killer. As I was walking to the nearest store, I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched.


The closest store to the library ended up not having any tents, so I had to go to the second closest. There, I bought a small tent and some other essential camping supplies. I also got a camera and some extra batteries for the camera and flashlight.


I bought a bus ticket to the camping grounds, and now I arrived. It was crowded and smelly on the bus, so I felt glad to step off. A few people got off with me, and we ended up all going different ways.

I had most of my things in a duffle bag, except for the tent, which I carried. I walked for a long time, until I found an area with trees that had familiar leaves. I pulled the leaf out of my pocket and held it up to a branch above my head. It was a perfect match, despite being crumpled and blood-stained.

I walked a little longer, then found a small clearing, just big enough for my tent and a fire. I decided not to build a fire, but I set up the tent quickly. I would leave for a little bit, to scout out the area. I brought only the flashlight and camera.

Why did I buy the camera? If I could catch him in the act of doing anything suspicious, or even killing someone else, then I could take a picture or video as evidence for the cops. I had realized that finding him would do nothing, because I couldn't catch him and bring him in, and there was nothing I could do if he didn't confess in front of the police. But now, they could give him a handwriting test, and I would have photographic evidence that he was a killer that left little to no evidence. This would put things in my favor. The worst thing they could do is fine me for not reporting the murder initially, even if it would have end up with me behind bars.

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