Derek loves that little girl as if she were his own. Ava always looked up to him and he knows that he can't let her down. Letting her and her family down would make him feel horrible. He trudged on through the forest. It's been a whole day since Ava disappeared, and he spent most of the night in the wooded area behind Chris's house. While searching with the crews of workers he also has been finding time to be there for the woman he loves. Chris came into his life unexpectedly many years ago and although at first they were only friends he could not hold back the love he felt for her.

"Ava," Derek yells into the darkness of the woods.

It's daylight, but the clouds are starting to roll in. They are supposed to be getting some nasty storms today and if Derek doesn't find Ava before they hit, things could take a turn for the worse. He's deeper into the forest than he's ever gone. Ava was right, everything here is beautiful and peaceful. She always said it was a magical place to be and Derek would always just nod and agree with her, not understanding the true beauty of the woods.

"Ava," he calls again.

Thunder rumbles in the distance, he's running out of time. Afraid that these storms might turn into more than just thunder Derek starts running. He jogs down the dirt path that now starts to turn wet from the wet plump drops that are falling from the sky. Soon it will be impossible to find her, and as the wind picks up his biggest fear are the hundreds of trees and the way they sway.

He slows down as he comes across a strange clearing in the distance. The rain starts falling harder and faster. He worries that soon it will turn into hail. His phone rings in his pocket and he stops for a minute knowing if he doesn't answer Chris may worry. He leans up against one of the swaying trees and pulls out his phone.

"Chris?" he yells over the rain and roaring wind.

"Derek, where are you?"

"I'm almost to the falls. Stay home, I'll be there soon."

"No luck?" she questions sadly.

"No. I'm sorry sweetheart," he says.

"Okay. Be safe. I love you."

"Love you Chris," Derek says, hanging up the phone.

Derek stuffs the phone inside his pocket and starts running again. The rain is starting to feel like mini ping pong balls being thrown at him. Hail is never a good sign. He keeps going though, this is for Ava. He gets closer to the clearing as a large bolt of lighting strikes the ground just a few feet ahead. His heart thumps loudly inside his chest. There's no turning back now, he has to find Ava and bring her home safe. This whole thing is partly his fault by having a conversation just outside the door the morning before about how the woods here were in trouble. The company he works for wants to build homes on the land and tear down half the woods, he's not too happy, but his job is on the line and he needs the money.

Another huge flash crashes down. Dirt shoots up from the spot as it singes. He runs right past it. He's almost at the clearing and can just hear the sounds of the waterfall over the rain. Once through the clearing he looks up at the sky, hail pelting him with each passing second. He looks around. On the ground even through the muddy path the remnants of tiny footprints are etched in the ground. It leads towards the side of the falls. The wind starts to pick up as thunder continues to boom in the distance. The tree's bend around him in ways that they shouldn't and he knows if he doesn't find shelter soon he's going to be toast.

He starts to follow the footprints, they are tiny and human like. Ava. He continues to walk towards the waterfall. In the corner of his eye something shiny catches his attention. A strange blue glow shines from a small cave hidden behind the falls. The footprints continue towards it.

"Ava?" he questions. "Ava, are you here?"

He's frantic looking around the area, and the moment he steps into the cave a little girl is curled up on the dirty floor shivering.

"Ava!"

Tears spring into Derek's eyes as he races for the tiny human lying on the ground. He scoops her into his arms and tucks her into his arms.

"Derek?" she questions, mumbling.

"Yes sweetie it's me," he sobs.

"You found the secret cave?" she asks.

"Yes I..."

A loud crash outside the cave startles them both. A tree crashes just in front as the wind picks up. It blows them back and Derek has to hold on tight to keep steady. He starts to move deeper into the cave and as he does a strange light glows helping guide his way. He stands in the center looking around and the beautiful glowing crystals all around him. Ava looks up and smiles at Derek.

"This is amazing," he says.

"You can see it?" she asks in a sleepy tone.

"I can," he whispers.

"It's magic," she whispers back. "You can see it too, you believe," she says.

"Finding you was magic," he tells her.

Ava curls up into his arms and lays her head on his shoulder.

"We'll have to stay here and ride out the storm," he tells her. "Let me see if I can get any reception on my phone."

Still cradling Ava in his arms he sits with his back against the cave wall. He pulls out his phone with his free hand and tries several times, but the phone doesn't ring. His battery is low on top of there being no cell service.

"Are you hungry?" he asks.

Ava nods.

Although the wind had given her a sip of the magic water from the falls, she hasn't eaten anything since yesterday. Derek digs a poptart from the backpack he has perched on his back, and a bottle of water. Ava quietly eats her snack and drinks. Derek sits quietly watching her hoping they can leave soon and let everyone know Ava's okay.