Forest of Hearts

Chapter 7

Elle's POV

Realizing what this meant I knew we had to get out of here before night fell again. They were nocturnal.

"We need to get help." I said sitting on the lobby sofa. As I ran my fingers through my hair, my eyes fell on the hotel's land line. Ugh! Why hadn't I thought of that earlier.?  I launched myself forward and grabbed the receiver. It was dead. Maybe if I hold this wire down, it will work.  Mr. Benjamin watched me worriedly as I became more irritated with the phone finally ripping it out of the wall and throwing it across the room in disgust and desperation. My mind flashed with the image of Tyler's phone down the well. Maybe someone had a cell phone!  "Quick, Someone, give me a phone." I yelled. Realizing we still had a chance of making it out of here alive, they all searched themselves frantically. Charlene tossed her pink iPhone. I quickly dialed 911. The line was full of static but it was ringing! I  waited tapping my foot anxiously.

"Hello 911, what is the emergency?" Her inappropriately perky voice cut through the silence in the lobby like a butcher's cleaver. I immediately ranted to her about the horrors we had endured the last twenty-four hours. I paused waiting for her to say she would send over some officers, an ambulance, anything.
"This number is for emergencies only! Kids with their silly pranks these days!" She said hanging up on me.  I sat still for almost a minute before falling into a heap on the floor. For some reason I just started laughing. That was our only chance. 'Why had I been so stupid?' I groaned before rolling on to my back. I saw expectant eyes staring at me and looked away ashamed. Staring up at the ceiling I collected my thoughts. As I leaned on to my right side, I felt something under me. My phone had been in my pocket the entire time. 'I can call again!' I sat up. 'Another number another story.' With trembling hands I dialed 911 again.
"Hello this is 911. What is your emergency?" A deep male voice boomed from the ear piece.
"There's..." I said trying to think of something plausible.
"There's been a bear attack!" I blurted out. Yes that made sense. "Ah... one of our teachers has been injured and we've locked ourselves inside," I said.
"Where are you?" he asked.
"We're camping out at the old Red Wood Hotel."
"What's going on, is the bear still in the area?" Answering his questions and explaining the seriousness of the teacher's injuries he said he would send officers and an emergency helicopter but they would take about a day to arrive. Before I could tell him to hurry my battery died. At least I knew help was on the way. I turned to Mae and Tyler. "They're sending help." I exclaimed hugging them.