The Middle

Chapter 6 - Missing

This chapter is a bit smaller than the other ones. I tried to write as much as I can. What might happen is this one and the next chapter might end up combining. Maybe not. Not sure what's going to happen, but this is about half of what a usual chapter is.

Ella gives a inhale of cold air as she opens her eyes and stares at the ceiling of the cave. She sits up to find Luna and Kyle passed out on the floor. Funny, she's usually the last one to wake out of the three of them. She also seems to find that Jules is nowhere to be found. She's not in the cave at least. Where could she have gone?

Ella crawls over to her brother and shakes him, "Come on, Kyle. Time to get up."

When she gets no response from her brother, a spark of worry fills her. Ella turns to Luna, "Luna, get up! We have to get going before the dogs find us here!"

No response from her either. Ella then goes back and forth trying to wake them. She never gets a response from either of them. And Jules isn't here to help her either wake them up or calm herself down. She can see icy breathes leave them telling her that they're at least alive, but other than that, she can't seem to wake them. Could they both be in the deep sleep Luna was in before?

Maybe she'll try and find Jules. Maybe if she's lucky, she'll even find Jules with her master. Either way, Jules might know more about what's going on with them. With these thoughts, Ella stands up and walks out of the cave, giving them one quick look. Hopefully, she'll be back to the cave in no time.

*****

I try to refrain myself from yelling out her name, but I'm close to breaking. We've been looking for what seems like an hour with no luck. The only moving things that I can see are rabbits or squirrels. There's even an occasional bird that I no longer know if it's a real legit bird or not.

If I have ever been worried about my sister, this would easily top everything. Out of everything. She's never been missing. She's always been where I can find her. She's been my only friend for the past 5 years. And now she's gone. I've never been going through so many emotions in my life.

*****

Ella looks up at the sun to tell her the time. Maybe the other two woke up by now? It can't really be that sleeping curse, can it?

Ella turns completely around in the forest, facing the bright sun. It seems especially cold today. She begins to walk in the direction. Eventually, she should return to the cave. Going in a straight line was a brilliant idea, while also being ineffective of finding Jules at all. Maybe she only returned to her master for a short while? Maybe it's nothing to worry about. Maybe Jules is back at the cave now.

While Ella was deep in thought, her right foot slips out from underneath her. She tumbles down a small cliff and into a small lake. Ella immediately feels a strong pain in her leg. Ella groans as she sits up but freezes when she sees a soft glow next to her.

"Oh, there you are," Ella smiles at the bird, "Can you lead me back to the cave?"

Jules shakes her head.

Ella gives a confused look as she attempts to stand, "Why not?"

Jules flies up and over to the right. Slightly limping, Ella chooses to follow the bird. She follows Jules close behind in what seems the opposite direction of the cave. Eventually, Ella right foot begins to slip in the same spot. This time, she catches herself.

"Hey, isn't this the same place we were?" Ella asks Jules, "Why did you take me here?"

Ella takes a slight look up to find that Jules is gone. She's nowhere to be found. But the hairs on Ella's neck stand up after she hears a low growling noise. Ella's head turns to the right to find many pairs of glowing eyes staring back at her.

*****

The sounds of something getting tossed around caught my attention very quickly. I take a look at Luna. Her face tells me that she heard it too. I take a small step towards the noise. It could have been a dog for all that I know, but could just have easily been Ella.

Then, I suddenly see a figure with long brown hair like Ella's running away. Along with three dogs following her. I run as fast as I can towards the four. Due to my fast speed, it isn't long until I'm side-by-side with the dogs. But that makes them notice me. Their chase stops chasing Ella and turn to chase me.

Forgetting about the possible finding of Ella, I start running away from the dogs. I don't think ive ever ryn faster in my entire life. The three dogs are about to catch up to me when...

"Hey furries!" I hear Luna shout, "Over here!"

The dogs halt in their tracks and turn towards her. They all growl and begin to run towards her. All I see is Luna turning back and running in the opposite direction. I stand up and run in the direction I thought I saw Ella running in.

*****

Which way was back to the cave? Ella looks around frightened. To her, every tree looks the same.

"Ella!"

Ella turns as her brother's voice seems to echo throughout the forest. Could she be hearing things? She doesn't appear to be hearing any dog barking. Could that really be her brother?

"Ella!"

And now there's Luna's voice ahead of her. But who should she follow?

"Ella! There you are!" she looks to find Luna running towards her, "We've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Where's Kyle?" Ella asks Luna, "I heard him back there."

"He should be leading those dogs away," Luna replies, "Come, I'll lead you to somewhere safe. He'll be fine."

Ella looks behind her, "Are you sure? There were three of them."

Luna smiles and take Ella's hand, "I'm positive. Come."

Luna pulls Ella into a small cave similar to the one that they were in before. Ella stays at the entrance and looks out, "So, where's Jules? I left to go find her."

A blue light appears behind her.

"Hey Jules, why don't you show Ella who she's really with?"

Ella looks as Jules bows at Luna. Ella gasps, "You?"

"Look at who's too gullible for her own good," the familiar voice makes the hairs on Ella's neck stand up.