A/N Dedicated to another wattpad friend! Skarlitdawn! She is awesome and truly a sweet person. Once again another person I'm so glad to have met.

"Adeline! Your sister she hasn't made it home yet. Your father went to look for her but couldn't seem to find her."

Adelina jolted straight up in bed. Her head spun and she swayed with it. Putting a hand to steady herself she lifted herself up out of bed. Her mother stood just outside her room. She moved up and down the hallway running a hand through her hair, which was a mess of frizz and knots.

"I bet she just lost track of time," Adelina reassured.

"Why don't we go downstairs and you sit down before you fall over mom."

Adelina grabbed onto her mother's arm and helped her down the old creaky stairs. Adelina led her mom into their living room and sat her down on the couch. Adelina looked at her father with a questioning look passing on her face. As she looked at him she studied his face and saw his brow had a deep crease in it and a deep scowl formed on his face.

"Don't worry yourselves to death. You both look awful at the moment. She is probably with one of our sisters gossiping about the new men in town today."

""What NEW MEN," Carlson yelled. Adelina jumped backwards frightened.

"Dad...I've never heard you raise your voice like that."

Adelina needed to choose her words more wisely from now on. Stress wasn't good on any of them right now

"They were young and they were speaking with the elders. They were probably just trying to find sanctuary here. I shouldn't even worry you. Tessa hadn't even gone to talk to them, she was just excited with all the commotion over it. All the town was, so I wouldn't worry about it. You both would have laughed if you saw the way everyone was acting."

Beth shifted on the sofa and let her eyes focus onto Adelina. Beth's eyes shimmered with droplets of tears that were forming. Her heart felt like it would burst into two at any given moment. The sense of dread was welling up in her stomach and churning there.

If Adelina knew..if only they had told her..she wouldn't be laughing this off right now.

Adelina looked to her mother and father. The look of disappointment was evident in both of their eyes. Sher felt her heart twist. If only she had been a better daughter and sister, her parents wouldn't be suffering right now.

"I think it would be best if you and your father went looking for her again. I should stay here just in case she comes home." Beth said followed by an exasperated sigh.

"She is going to be in so much trouble when she gets here! I swear that girl isn't going to leave this house for years. I don't care if she is turning eighteen..AND IF I CATCH HER WITH ANY BOYS SHE WILL NEVER LEAVE THIS HOUSE AGAIN."

"Dad, calm down. You are going to get yourself worked up and I'm sure it is just a misunderstanding. We can go look for her right now, okay? You guys can do all the scolding you want to her and me after we find her okay?"

Carlson strode over to the hallway by the front door. He began to grab his coat and gloves.

"Please, Dad, don't be upset with me. I'm sorry." Adelina stood directly behind Carlson and whispered in his ear.

Carlson didn't respond. He handed Adelina her coat, scarf, and gloves and walked straight out the door. The door banged and thumped as it shut behind her.

Adelina kept silent but couldn't hide the hurt that flashed across her delicate face. She pushed back the tears and threw her coat on in haste. She followed her dad through the front door and out onto the path that lead to town. The wind whistled around her as her hair flew up into the air. Adelina pulled her wild hair into a bun and stuffed it inside the back of her coat. She looked out into the dark path that lay ahead and saw her father was a few feet ahead. Adelina forces her legs to lurch forward and she sprints to catch up.

"Dad," Adelina said, but her father didn't turn around. Adelina isn't sure he was listening, but she decided to continue.

"I'm worried about her too. I always worry about her. I'm sorry I left her, but I think you both are over reacting. Nothing bad happens in town. Everyone takes care of each other. So please try not to stress so much or you'll make yourself sick."

Carlson stayed silent, but his scowl deepened. She didn't understand how irresponsible she was leaving her sister alone. She didn't understand a lot of things.

If only we told them.

His scowl softens as realized it isn't her fault. It was their fault and they had no one else to blame. Leaving the girls protected had been their life goal, but maybe they had left them too sheltered and protected.

Everything has a consequence whether good or bad.

Adelina's legs burned from the fast pace. She forced herself forward,  with her breath coming out ragged. A wheeze and cough escaped her lungs. The air felt thick and as she lifted her eyes towards the path around her, she saw that the fog had drifted into the valley.The sound of leaves rustling caused Adelina to jump to the side, as the silence was played tricks on her. She found her eyes shifting right to left, in a rapid motion, preparing for something to jump out from the forest.

Their footsteps echoed in the gravel. Adelina focused on the silence around her and realized the void of the typical animals. This sends even more chills up her spine and she wrapped her slender arms around her body, trying to give herself warmth.

Something didn't feel right about this. Something was off.

As they continued to push forward, the fog began to settle even more across the gravel path. Only a few feet ahead of them was visible and Adelina began to slow her steps. They came upon an old house to the right and Adelina felt her heart leap for joy when she realized it was Molly's house.  Adelina moved closer and saw the house was vacant at the moment.

"Dad, Molly's house is dark. I bet you that both Tessa and her just got caught up in talking."

Carlson felt hope stir in his chest. He knew how Molly loved to gossip and was sure Adelina was right about this. Those girls would talk through the night if they were allowed.

"Either way she is in trouble. I'll have to give Molly a talk too. She shouldn't keep your sister out like this so late at night."

As they moved closer a loud noise began to filter into the air and Carlson stopped straight in his tracks.

Adelina was in an oblivious haze and kept moving towards town. Carlson noticed and ran to pull Adelina down into the tall grass next to the road. He covered her mouth his hand.

"Shhhh..."

A few seconds passed before lights lit up their narrow dirt path. The sound of an engine was the next thing they heard and within a few seconds a large truck passed. Dust kicked up and circled in with the thick fog around them.

Adelina's heart was beating loudly in her chest. Nobody in town used vehicles! There was never a reason to use them  unless it was an emergency. Her father grabbed her coat and pushed her into the thick tree's by Molly's house. She watched as a few more trucks passed, kicking up more dust. Adelina held her hand to her mouth to stifle a coughing fit that was taking hold of her body. Her eyes began to water as a few more trucks sped past. After a few seconds, Adelina fell onto the frosty grass in front of her and let out a few violent coughs.

"Shhhh..." Carlson said as he patted Adelina on the back.

Adelina let out on more violent cough before sucking in a deep breath. She watched her father as he bent down on the ground and reached into his old brown boots.

"What are you searching for Dad?"

A few seconds later Carlson stands back up and Adelina lets out a small scream.

"Why do you have a gun?!"

Breathing became harder and Adelina's lungs stung with every breath she forced into her lungs. Her mouth burned with acid that began to make its way up from her stomach.

"Dad-- What is that for? Why was there vehicles coming down this road?" She looked at Carlson and tears brimmed her innocent blue eyes.

Carlson kept his lips pursed and his eyes didn't drift to hers. After a few more seconds of silence Carlson finally spoke up.

"Adelina, I need you to listen to me very carefully."

She let her gaze drift to his, but she wished she hadn't. There was a wild look in his eyes as they kept shifting all throughout their surroundings.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

Adelina had believed they would go to town and find Tessa, at worst, flirting with the young visitors. But this, whatever'this' was, had to be much worse. MUCH MUCH worse.

"Trucks....they had trucks..."She whispered while keeping her eyes focused on the ground. Her brain was trying to wrap her head around any rational explanation.

Maybe the villagers were using them under some special circumstances.

Maybe they had special visitors who were here to seek sanctuary within their town.

Soon the logical thoughts left and all that was left was pure fear.

Carlson bent down and lifted Adelina up leaning her frail body on the tree. He shook her shoulders forcing her to focus on him.

"I'm going to need you to run Adelina and fast! I need you to run back to the house. You tell your mom that I told you to run home and to get far away from town. She will know what to do okay? No questions asked please just run now." He kissed her forehead and pulled her into a tight hug.

Adelina paused before making a single move. She couldn't leave her father. She couldn't let him face this alone.

"Dad I can't leave you alone. Please just let me help you. We will do better if we work together."

"Adelina, this is NOT the time for you to fight. You are very important and I can't explain it right now, I need to go find Tessa and your other sisters and get them to safety. I need you to listen and I need you to RUN. Don't take the roads, okay? I need you to go through the woods. I know you know them and I know you can make it through this."

"Dad, I don't want to leave you all alone in these woods."

"I will be fine Adelina. I can take care of myself. Please just go! Now!"

With one last look at her father Adelina turned and took off. As she looked back she saw her father raise his gun before disappearing into the thick fog that surrounded them.

Her head was spinning as she raced through the forest, hopping over fallen limbs on her way.

FOCUS!

She had grown up exploring these woods. She ran through them her entire life but something tonight made them feel different, ominous. Branches reached out as she ran and ripped at her coat. A fallen limb came out of nowhere causing her to tumble to the ground and rolling before coming to a halt. A few tears escaped her before she picked herself up and hobbled forward.

Finally, the forest began to thin and the clearing could be seen. She limped towards her home as tears stung her eyes from the pain.

"Why are you limping Adelina! And are your sister and father close behind you?"Beth asked, closing the distance between them.

"I don't know mom. Dad, h-e told me to run. What is going on?" Adelina breathed.

"He told me to get home as soon as I could. Please, I'm scared and I have no idea what is going on. I never have seen you or dad act like this. MOM, HE HAD A GUN! And we saw vehicles MOM VEHICLES!"

Beth gasped. And her heart started sputtering in her chest. Beth knew she had to calm down. She had to stay in control of this situation. She took a few steps back and focused her eyes on Adelina, who was gasping for air.

"I need you to follow me."

"Don't you think I deserve some answers, mom? Everyone is bossing me around, but nobody wants to let me know what is going on?"

"I know Adelina. I understand you are confused and frustrated. I just need you to listen for now and I promise the answers will come soon."

Adeline let out a huff, but let Beth take control of her arm and lead her out into the dark foggy field that lay before them.

They walked a while and Beth shuffled her feet trying to find what she was looking for. The sound of hollow ground was heard under her small feet. She got down on her knees and began to push away the dead grass that had fallen over the door. Finally, a small metal door with a large handle came into view. Beth stood up but bent over to grab the handle and open the door. After a few jerks the door came open with a loud screech and a small dank hallway came into view. She heard Adelina let out a gasp behind her and turned to look her in the eyes.

"I need you to get in here Adelina. We've had this shelter here for a while and it is stocked up. You're going to go down the stairs and to the right. There will be a big door okay? There is a bathroom and everything you need down there. I'm going to need you to go down there and you have to promise me you won't come out until I come and get you okay? Promise."

Adelina hesitated, but Beth grabbed her shoulders and began to push her towards the stairwell. Adelina hesitated but lowered her body and dangled her legs over the edge. Finally, she let herself descend into the dark corridor. As she reached the bottom she let her eyes lift up towards the hole. Her mother stood there with a light glow over her body from the moonlight.

"You will be safe in here and that is all that matters right now."

Beth let her eyes linger on Adelina. She smiled gently trying to keep her composure, but she knew she would lose herself as soon as the door was shut.

"I love you, Adelina." Tears formed in her eyes.

"Mom, please I don't know what is going on, but please find Tessa."

"I am going to go now to help your dad and we will find her. Remember what I said don't come out until me or your father comes Adelina. Please don't"

"I promise mom and please be safe. I love you so much Mom!"

Beth shut the door, giving it one last glance before taking off in a sprint towards the house.

Adelina couldn't see anything after her mother shut the door. She started reaching her hands all around the wall until she found a small switch on the west side of the wall. As soon as the light was on she saw the large metal door her mother was talking about. She started to go through the door, but couldn't yet. She thought her mother might be back with her sister in just a few hours. She let her body flop down onto the cold floor and laid her head onto the cold concrete, cooling her cheeks.

"Mom will be back with Tessa and Dad before I know it"

After what seemed like hours, she lifted her body and opened the large door in front of her. Behind it was a small room with a neatly made bed and storage all across the walls. The walls were concrete from top to bottom. She let her eyes drift and noticed a small room to the right. She strolled into that direction and noticed the room held a small shower and toilet.

Adelina felt a chill creep into her bones and she let her delicate body collapse on the bed in the room.

"Tessa, please be okay. She has to be okay."

She let her body fall onto the soft feather mattress and curled her legs into her chest. Shutting her eyes, she soon drifted off into a blissful oblivion.

But little did she know, her nightmares were about to begin.