The Technicolor Phase

Part 56-The Hike

A/N: so for parts 57-60 I'm gonna do them at the end of each month. Like Part 57 will be the end of her second month and so on and so forth. Make sense?

-----------

[Anna's POV]

Sweat formed on my forehead as I hiked a mountain to see a waterfall. People said it would be beautiful. My back hurt as I carried one of the children. I was hiking with twelve six to seven year olds along with David Stark, the director for the children's ministry, which is what I am helping with and I found out that Beth is helping with my group as well. The other people who were on the missions trip were doing other things. The child on my back tightened her grip as we hit a steeper incline. I stopped and made a noise in the back of my throat. Everyone stopped and Beth came and took the child off me. Her name is Annie Glessman and she is six. She has long black hair, brown eyes and tan skin. She wore dirty clothes and had the same kind of Toms as me. I've been here for a month and me and Annie became fast friends. She doesn't have a mother or father, she doesn't have any family. I gasped for air and took a drink of water from my water bottle. Beth, who was caring my hiking pack, gave it to me and she held Annie.

We continued walking for four more hours. We reached it and everyone collapsed onto the ground. The waterfall was huge and led into a pool of water about five feet deep in the middle and three feet near the edges. Trees surrounded the area and it was enclosed. The waterfall sprayed a mist over were we stood. Me, Beth and David announced the rules for swimming, after that, everyone went into the water and swam. It was fun. I helped Annie swim, she laughed in delight as I spun her in my arms above the water. When the sun was directly above us we knew it was two in the afternoon. David said it was time for everyone to get out and have lunch.

For lunch we had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that the other people made. We all sat on the ground as the sun dried us off. Annie sat on my lap. I looked at the other eleven kids. Six, including Annie, were girls and the rest were boys, so it was even. Girls names are:

Annie Glessman

Delaney Magruder

Cealey Durand

Lorelai Faye

Natasha Saldana

Naomi Kingston

The boys are:

Dean Miller

Liam Moody

Bjorn Turner

Jared McFarland

Milo Finnegan

Mason Land

Their cute kids. We finished lunch and Me, Beth and David packed our things and everyone got in a line and we started walking back. As we hiked down, Annie held my hand. I smiled at her. A few hours later, we were halfway to the village when I heard a scream and a thump behind me. I recognized the scream as Beth's. My heart beat increased as I made my way through the mob of children gathered around the hole that Beth fell through.

"BETH! ARE YOU OKAY?!" I shouted

She didn't answer. I tried again. No answer. I broke down sobbing. And sat down a few feet away from the hole. Annie came and gave me a hug, soon, everyone gave me a hug. I was surrounded by kids. My sobs died down and I told everyone thanks. I stood up, brushed my tears away and asked David if there was anything we could do. He said that he'll have someone come up as soon as we get to the village. I sighed shakily and we continued walking.

We reached the village and a group of people went to find Beth. It was night time and it took rest of the afternoon to hike down. I took a shower and put in jeans, a tee shirt and tennis shoes. I joined everyone at the worship hall and we did some bible stories for the younger kids and we sung songs and read bible passages.

When worship was over, I went to the house that I'm staying at. I have my own and Annie lives with me. I gave her a bath and put her PJ's on then tucked her in bed and I went to my room. I got changed into my PJ's and just when I laid down, one of the people who went to search for Beth came in. I sat up and looked at her, her name is Rachel. She had a sad look on her face.

"Anna, I'm sorry but Beth is dead. S-she hit her head on a rock and it split her skull. I'm sorry." Rachel told me.

I exhaled sharply. Beth is dead?! I nodded my head and Rachel left. I laid back down and continued to cry. Then, Annie came in and asked if she could sleep with me. I smiled and told her that she could. Annie came over and cuddle next to me.

"Anna, I'm sorry about your friend," she said.

"Thanks," I replied as I put my arm around her.

I stopped crying, prayed and closed my eyes and fell asleep with Annie by my side.