The Tears We Cry

three.

Delanie

"You sure this is where Carly was?" Mitch asks hopelessly.

"You know it is," I whisper. Kneeling down, I study the strewn about leaves. I run two fingers along some.

"Looks like she was dragged against her will," I conclude.

"I hope she's okay," Mitch shakes his head.

"So do I."

...

Carly

I roll onto my side, trying to get comfortable. I shiver. Where's my blanket? Slowly, my eyes flutter open. I lay on the cold forest floor.

"Where am I? Why did you bring me here?" I call out to no one in particular. I sit up, crossing my legs, and waiting for an answer. But it doesn't come. I run my fingers through my disheveled hair, and push myself shakily to my feet.

"I know you're out there!" I threaten. Something rustles behind me, and I twist around. Nothing's there.

"Stop with your fun and games! I asked you why you brought me here!" I grow impatient.  You know why you're here. I shake my head rapidly, furiously.

"No, I don't!" Do you know any riddles? I like riddles... Tell me one.

"What do you get when you combine an elephant and a fish?" I nervously breathe. I can feel the voice smirk at the weak attempt. Swimming Trunks. Now, I will give you a riddle of my own.

What do you get when you combine darkness with shadows?

"I... I don't know!" You do know! The voice shouts inside my mind, irritated. I shut my eyes, and think.

"I don't know," I say again. You should know. I feel something grip my throat, and slam me against a tree trunk. My feet rise above the ground, and I try to pry the invisible force from my neck. The grip tightens, and begins to shake me. Spots blur my vision. Tell me! The voice rumbles. With great effort, I manage to say faintly,

"Death..." The force disappears, and I fall to the ground, crippled. My eyes stay firmly shut, and I am swallowed up by blackness.

...

Tyler

"What do you mean Carly is gone?" I shout. Mitch sighs.

"She disappeared into the woods."

"How?" I demand.

"Some sort of creature dragged her," Delanie answers gravely. I drop to my knees, letting my head hang low.

"Tyler, I know it's hard," Mitch begins, causing me to look up slightly. I see Delanie and him holding hands and jealously swirls inside me. I take a deep breath, pushing the emotion down. "I couldn't imagine Delanie being taken away, but you have to have faith she'll come back..." Mitch glances at Delanie, then trails off. I already know what he was going to say. Because that's all you can do. Have faith. Hope. I rise to my feet again.

"I don't want to just hope. I want to know Carly will come back safe and sound-that i'll be able to hold her in my arms."

"Tyler," Delanie starts, but I hold up a hand.

"I'm going to find Carly, whether anyone comes, or not." I head towards the weapon hut.

...

Mitch

"W-Wait Tyler!" I jog up to him.

"What?" he murmurs.

"I'm coming with you," I declare. Delanie is by my side.

"I couldn't let you two kids go alone, now could I?" She jokes. Tyler gives a nervous laugh. He's not fearless. I remember.

"Don't worry Tyler. We'll gather more people to come help you find Carly," I attempt to reassure. He nods, and I head to the middle of camp.

"Hey, everyone!" I call out, my deep voice ringing clearly through the village. "Tyler, Delanie, and I are going to look for Carly, who as most of you may know, disappeared last night. We need more people to join us, is anyone in?" I ask. I hope someone will come along. For Tyler's sake.

"I'll go!" Cheyenne raises her hand.

"So will I!" Jay steps forward.

"What do I have to lose? Me too!" Skylar says.

"We are coming as well!" Preston replies, standing with Lachlan, Aleks, and Jerome.

"Don't forget about me!" April calls.

"Good," I say, "Everyone who is coming, meet at the weapon hut to get geared up. We're going into the woods, it's dangerous stuff. If anyone wants to back out, now's the time to do so." I wait for anyone to step back, to give up. When no one does, I wave my hand, and we go to the hut. Once there, I give one final warning.

"Any of us could die out there. Be careful." I am returned with some weary nods, and 'I understands'. I hope I wont have to see any of us go. I toss Jerome a knife in its hilt, then announce,

"We leave tomorrow, at early dawn."

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sorry if it's not the best written, but I feel SICK! (cuz I am) :/ anyway, leave a vote if you enjoyed, and comment if you liked it! bye!

Berryx