The Next Step

Chapter 13

Ella's POV

I can't hear Giselle anymore. I'm so mad at Dominic, but worried for Giselle. Dominic is ruining my life. I warned Giselle. It's my fault this happened. It's my fault everything happened. I shouldn't even be here.

I've been running a long time, and I don't here anyone behind me. Should I go back to see if Giselle's there, or do I go to the studio and get help.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I'LL GET YOU" Dominic screamed as though he was miles away.

I ran as fast as I could out of the forest. I had to get out of there. I got out of the forest and turned left. I think I know my way to the studio, but this is a new route I've never taken before, so I'm guessing which way I should go. I took another left. I'm starting to recognize the streets. I turn right on the next road and realize where I am. I start running full speed.

What if he found Giselle, and has her. What if he doesn't? He'll still be in the forest when I get back. That means I can't get help from the rest of A-troupe. Then they'll be at risk, and this is my mess. They're not coming in to help me. They can't.

Now I'm running up the street of the next step. I ran so fast my legs were pounding with pain. I finally got to the door, and burst in, ran though the empty hallway and up the 3 flights of stairs. I turned left and saw the doors to studio A. I ran though them at a rapid speed.

All of A-troupe was having conversations and smiling, but as soon as they turned to look at me, their jaws dropped. I felt my face. It stung as my finger touched it. I must have been cut by the branches in the forest.

I stopped for a moment to look at their stunned faces. But I didn't have time for that. I remembered that I left my bag here last night. I walked over to it and grabbed my weapon. A gun. I know I shouldn't carry it around but it's the only thing that, I feel, keeps me safe. And for me, now a days, that's hard to come by. I slid it out of my bag and swiftly turned around to exit. I could feel Riley's eyes as though they were burning into my skull. I looked up from the floor and my eyes locked with Chloe's for a second.

James: "Ella, I know you need our help. I know that look."

James came towards me and got down on his knees so that he was eye level with me.

James: "Tell me what happened. And I promise I'll help you"

Everyone else nodded.

Ella: "I can't tell you. I've done enough damage already. You can't help me."

Voices inside my head tried to influence my decision. "Giselle needs help. And you can't help her by yourself. You need A-Troupe." "No no no. They'll get hurt. You don't want that to happen, do you?" They echoed so loudly "But I'm not doing it for me, I'm doing it for Giselle."

Ella: "Ok, here's what happened. Giselle and I were driving to the studio but one of our tires popped. We got out to look and saw that one of the tires had a dozen nails in it. We heard Dominic in the distance. Giselle and I ran but I lost Giselle and I have no idea where she is. I heard Dominic as I left the forest. So I came back here to get my gun and go back"

Stephanie: "He's was in the forest"

Michelle: "And you know he's still there"

Emily: "And now you want to go back"

Ella: "Ya, for Giselle. She's still probably in there. I hope"

James: "We're coming with you"

Ella: "Ok, but I'm going first"

James: "What....fine"

We walked out of the studio and piled into 3 separate cars. We drove back to the place where we left the car. Giselle is probably somewhere in the middle of the forest.

Riley: "Ok, I think we should split up into 2 separate groups. Then there's two times the chance we'll find her."

Ella: "Ok, but wait."

I just remembered something. I ran to the car we abandoned at the side of the road. Giselle told me she had a gun for emergencies in the back of the truck. I threw it to Wes.

Wes: "Thanks"

Ella: "If you're in danger, shoot it up in the sky"

Wes: "Ok. Be carful"

Ella: "I'll try"

Then we stepped into the forest and went our separate ways.

Sorry for the long delay. Almost finished the chapter and then I deleted it. Opps. Vote and comment please. Tell your friends about the story. Thanks to my continuous supporters that don't hate me for not updating for 3 months.😃