My Light in the Darkness

Hey Kiddo

I walked through the camp mindlessly. I was thinking of everything and nothing at the same time and it was driving me crazy.

I avoided the boys's tents completely. I was on the other side of camp, near the edge of it actually. I would have kept going but a quiet sniffle in the dark stopped me.

I looked around but couldn't see anything. I felt something hit the top of my head before an acorn fell at my feet. I looked up to see a little girls legs swaying in the air. Instantly, I made my way to the tree.

When I finally reached the branch I saw the legs, I saw Reese hugging her body. I watched in awe for a second before I snapped into reality.

"Reese?" I called softly, not wanting to scare her. She turned to look at me, her tear stained cheeks glistened in the moonlight. "Hey kiddo," I cooed, sitting beside her. I pulled my hoodie off my body and place it over her head. I wrapped my arms around her as she melted into my side.

We remained silent until she was ready to talk. When she pulled away from me, I wiped away her tears and held her face in my hands. I stroked her cheeks in a loving manner, hoping to calm her.

"I uh," she spoke, "I'm not allowed to be out this late." She started to climb down the tree. I knew it was true, but it sounded like an excuse.

"You don't have anyone to talk to, do you?" I asked her. She stopped her movements, looking down to her hands. She shook her head, sniffling.

I patted the spot next to me, "c'mere," I beckoned her. She was slow moving when she climbed her way back up. "I'll take Zachs punishment," I told her, hoping to calm her nerves.

"You don't have too," she smiled.

I nodded my head, "I do. I'm not going to let you go to bed upset." I gave her cheek a small pinch to make her laugh. My heart fluttered when the night air was filled with the melody.

When she calmed down, I couldn't help myself. "What happened?" I asked.

Her smile dropped and so did my spirits. "My mom and dad didn't run away," she started, "they were murdered." Her body was crashing into mine before I knew what was happening. I had brought her into my lap, stroking her hair as she started to cry more. "Zach told me not to follow him but I did, I had too!" She cried.

I whispered calming words in her ear as she told me, my hands constantly raking through her hair.

"It was dark and there was a bunch of shouting and crying. Then I heard gun shots and saw Zach running back to the camp. He was crying, Abby, I've never seen my brother cry." My heart broke for the poor girl. "I've never seen him cry since."

"I'm sorry." It was the only thing I could think of. What was I supposed to say to that?

"It's not your fault."

If I could be anymore broken, I was. I pulled her as close to me as possible and just as I was about to say something, a much angrier voice interrupted me.

"Reese!" Zach called out. We heard his footsteps underneath us and looked down. He didn't noticed us yet, but he was not happy.

She sighed, "up here Zach!" She left my side and started to climb down.

"You know you're not supposed to leave the tent at night!" He scolded her, not even caring about her puffy eyes or tear stained cheeks.

I climbed down shortly after her, standing directly behind her lime a body guard. "Zach." I cut in sternly.

He was angry, beyond pissed. "This doesn't concern you, Abby." He dismissed me with a cold stare.

"Zach!" I demanded this time.