Prologue

(Nine Years Ago)

I had just finished drawing my cursive uppercase L for the fourth time when my teacher, Mrs. Gallow tapped on my small shoulder. The other kids at my desk cluster all looked up as Mrs. Gallow beckoned for me to follow her. The brightly colored classroom that had been filled with young chatter became completely silent. My heart started pounding and I was scared that I was about to get in trouble. Mrs. Gallow only brings someone aside when they have done something against the rules.

I scooted my little blue chair back and went to follow Mrs. Gallow out into the hall. My locket that my parents gave me for my tenth birthday immediately finds its way into my hand. I had developed a nervous habit over the last year of fidgeting with the necklace when I was anxious.  Before I reached the door I felt a hand grab my elbow. I turned and saw my best friend in the whole world, Gavin.

"Anna B, what did you do? Are you in trouble?" He asked, his light voice a tad shaky. I studied his warm brown eyes hidden underneath dark eyebrows and shaggy hair. For an eight year old he was rather small and frail. We had been best friends since kindergarten, when we were placed next to each other in class. He had cried that whole morning and I had decided to make it my job to comfort him. I hadn't stopped since that day.

"I don't know Gavy, I don't know. I'll be right back." I smiled at him even though I was scared of getting in trouble.

I walked out into the hallway and Mrs. Gallow closed the door behind me. "Honey, your parents are waiting for you in the office. Do you remember where that is?" She asked. 

"What did I do?" I sniffled.

"Oh, sweetheart. It's okay! You're not in trouble, they just need you to come as soon as possible." Mrs. Gallow said as she rubbed my back. "Now, go on. If you're getting sent home I'll have Gavin bring you your stuff."

I nodded my head and shuffled my way to the office. It is only down the hallway, but it took me longer than it should have to get there because I liked to look at all the paintings kids have done on the walls.

The door to the office burst open when my parents saw me. "Oh thank goodness!" My mother cried as she scooped me up into her arms.

"Mommy? What is it?" I questioned. 

"I'm sorry Annabelle, but we have to leave. Now." My dad grumbled as he took me out of my mom's arms and started for the door.

"Why do we need to go? Mom? What's going on? What about my backpack?" I struggled to get out of my fathers arms, but he squeezed me tighter.

"Annabelle, you have to trust us. There's no time. We need you to do exactly what we tell you to do. Can you do that for me?" Dad asked. He sounded frantic, and out of breath. I looked at my mom who was red in the cheeks with a scared look on her face. I had never seen my parents like this. I decided to be a good daughter and do what they want.

"I can do that." I said in a small voice. My dad's grip loosened a little. He started to run. My mom went ahead of him and opened the front doors.

When we got outside I heard the screeching of tires. I turned and saw that a black van had pulled up to my elementary school. My dad quickly hands me off to my mom. They looked at each other, both wide-eyed, and they nodded. My mom ran away from my dad. I felt bad because I know I'm not little enough to be carried like this for long, and my mom's breath is already labored.

Mom put me down before I asked her to. We are now behind the school. There's a playground and then a field. After the field is woods.

"Baby, I need you to run okay? No matter what happens, I need you to run as fast and as far away as you can. Then, I need you to hide. Hide until we come find you, okay? I love you." My mom said this quickly with tears streaming down her blotchy face. I took in her long brown hair that's falling out of it's braid, her wide sky blue eyes, and rumpled clothes.

"I can't leave you mom, please don't make me. I'm scared." I sobbed into her soft cotton shirt.

"Baby, you have to. Go. Go now!" She gently pushed me in the direction of the playground. I stumble back.

"Please." Mom whispered, her head swiveled back and forth looking for something, or somebody.

I nodded my head, and started running. I ran past the swings Gavin and I loved. I ran past the slides and into the field of tall grass. I was only wearing shorts and a t-shirt so I felt the grass brush against my legs as I ran. The only sound I could hear was my flip flops smacking against the heels of my feet and shouting in the distance. Once I reached the forest I turned back to see my mom. She was gone, but there were other adults dressed in navy blue that were swarming around the side of the school. I quickly pivoted and made my journey into the woods.

It was a dense forest with tall trees and overgrown bushes. It seemed everything had thorns on it or wanted to poke me. I could feel my legs getting scratched to the high heavens. At this point I was crying uncontrollably. I felt little whimpers escape my lips as I curled up behind a cluster of thick pine trees. Underneath my body was a cushion of dead pine needles. I wrapped one arm around my thin legs and held my locket with my free hand. My whole body started shaking. The tears and snot kept streaming down my face but I didn't bother to do anything about it. I waited.

It was night by the time I heard footsteps. My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest. I tried to breathe quietly but terror racked my body causing my breathing to become labored. The footsteps were light, and controlled. The realization that this wasn't my parents dawned on me instantly. I knew that if my parents were out here looking for me they would be more frantic, and more desperate. I laid as still as I could. The steady movement towards my hiding spot suddenly ceased.

My mind was racing. Maybe they'll turn back? What if by some miracle it is Mommy and Dad? What happens if those bad people find me? I was just about to try and peak through some branches when a hand covered my mouth.

A deep male voice breathed in my ear, "If you want to live... don't make a sound."