The Planet Among the Stars (Completed)

Chapter 5

The sun was setting as I reached the hill. It had rained earlier this morning, and there was still mud on the ground. As I jumped around the mud, I noticed dried footprints and assumed they were mine from yesterday. I continued up the hill and made it in time to see Venus. I wished Abby was with me. The fall sunsets are gorgeous and she would have liked them a lot. But maybe she has prettier nature scenes in Heaven. I lay my hands on the ground as I sat down. By the time it is dark, the grass has left imprints in them. I was about to leave for home when I saw a post-it note on the ground.

"Finish Venus research project"

I know one thing for certain. It's not my handwriting. Last week, before Abby died, we had been assigned our research projects on different planets. I had gotten Mars, even though I wanted Venus. But who had gotten Venus in my place...

As I analyzed the post-it note, I stepped into some fresh mud. Then I realized the shoe prints I made look different from the dried ones, even though I had worn the same pair today as I did yesterday.

"I love your new shoes!" Abby said.

"Thanks. They were hand-me-downs from my cousins." I answered.

"Cool. By the way, what planet did you get for the research project?"

"I got Mars. I really wanted Venus though."

"Yeah. I think my brother got Venus."

Wait...

This must be Shaun's note. And the shoe prints- For some reason, I just assumed they were Shaun's as well. My brain has a bad habit of making weird connections that are probably coincidences.

I don't know what my brain was thinking, but I decided to follow the footprints. My watch beeped, telling me it was 7 o'clock, and that I should go home for dinner. However I ignored it and kept following the prints.

I should mention I have a weird habit of getting "hyper-focused" over stupid things. And I guess I got hyper-focused over these prints, because by the time it was midnight, I was still following the prints. It was getting very hard to see but I used my watch flashlight to see whatever was left of the prints.

When the footprints finally disappeared, I realized I was in a deserted valley. And it was pitch black except for a few stars and my flashlight.

I was lost.

I walked around for a little longer, trying to investigate the footprints.

Then a shadow flashed next to me.

"Are you alone?" A female voice echoed.

I stammered, "Um... who are you?"

The lady walked out, her high heels clicking, "Are you lost?"

Something felt off about this person. Her face looked like it hadn't been washed in days, dirt covering it. But her clothes looked brand-new.

"Why don't you come with me?" she gestured to me, "Maybe you could do a favor for me."

I decided to go with my instincts and back away, however I didn't know whether or not she would follow me. I spoke, "I think I should head home."

"But you're all alone!" she protested, "Just come with me. I can give you food-"

She reached out to pull me and I backed away as quickly as I could. She grabbed my arm. Whoever this person was, she was strong.

"I'm not coming with you," I yelled fiercely.

"Yes you are." She wasn't taking no for an answer. She grabbed a bottle from her purse and tried to make me drink it. I pressed my lips together firmly enough so they hurt.

Finally she pried my mouth open, forcing the liquid into my mouth. My mind started buzzing.

Then my mind went blank. However I was able to catch a glimpse of someone shoving the lady down.