Shivering in the darkness, I held my breath, scared that something would hear me.

"I'm alone", I whispered to myself, my eyes darting from each tree to bush, scared.

Bringing my knees up to my face, I wrapped my arms around my legs, crawling into a ball. Even though I had my coat on, I was shivering, with fear.

The mist on the forest floor rolled along my feet, wrapping itself around me, the moon illuminating the area.

Steadily, I stood up, my stomach aching with nerves. With every step I took, my throat tightened, my lungs burning from lack of air.

Every step I took, the more I grew nervous. My hands were raw and red from the cold. I was dripping wet from having fallen into the stream. Dirt and leaves were stuck to my wet clothes. With every breeze, I shivered, wishing I was sitting in front of a warm fire.

"Is my brother dead?" I thought to myself, my heart aching at the thought. My lips were quivering. Taking a deep breath, I relaxed my muscles, slouching my shoulders.

Resting my weight against the tree, I heard the sound of twigs snapping under the weight of feet.

Jumping up, I sprinted in the opposite direction, the sound of feet rustling through overgrown grass to my left made my heart race. I ran until my feet ached and forced me to stop.

Trees blacker than black surrounded me, moving in the wind. Animal eyes glistened in the dark, burning into the back of my head. Tree stumps lay untouched, roots sprouting out of the ground.

Walking to a tree stump, I rested myself and began rocking myself side to side. I wrapped my hands around my shoulders, trembling once again.

The breeze caused leaves to rustle, morphing into whispers.

"You're next!"
"It'll be over soon!"
"You can join your brother!"

"Stop!"

I screamed, clasping my hands around my ears. I squeezed my eyes shut, tears threatening to fall.

"There you are, child!"

Jumping, I turned around, my eyes widening with fear.

"M-molly, is that you?" I stuttered.

Moving the cloak, the woman revealed two long boney hands. The hands reached behind their head to undo the porcelain mask.

"Yes, child!"

"Please, stop!" Pushing my hands forward, I cried out in desperation.

"I'm not wimping out last minute like Dahlia"

"Please..." I said once more, but my attempt was ignored.

Walking closer, Molly pulled out a metal rod from within her cloak.

"Don't worry, I don't intend to kill you, yet"

Ignoring Molly, I stumbled backwards, tripping over a tree root.

"Is Alexander dead? , please tell me"

Trembling, I raised my hands above my head. I was shaking and sobbing.

Clenching her jaw, Molly shouted, slamming the rod into the stump of a tree "Forget about him!"

"No, no, no, I can't"

Smiling, Molly's lips cracked, as she let out a deep chuckle. "Well, it doesn't matter, you'll be dead soon!"

Scrambling, I got up and I started to run, my feet numb with coldness. As I ran, I was knocked down. The force of something hard hit me in the back and made me fall. My reflexes kicked in and I reached both hands out in front of me. As I hit the ground, I scratched my elbow against a jagged rock, and bent my arm back.

I ended up landing on my hand, the force of the fall causing me to bend my wrist back. Pain shot up my wrist. Standing up, I cried in pain. Looking at my wrist, I noticed that it had begun to swell. It turned a deep violet. Brushing my fingertips across my wrist, I hissed in pain.

"Damn it!" I hissed, in an aggravated tone.

Looking down, I could see the metal rod which Molly had possession of. Turning in fear, I could see Molly closing in on me.

Screaming, I run, my hand throbbing with pain. I tried bending it, but it was making me cringe with pain. Tears were swelling up in my eyes, and the pain was becoming unbearable.

Taking a breather, I ripped a strip of fabric from my clothing. I wrapped the white fabric gently around my wrist, clenching my jaw.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Molly sang, dragging the metal rod as she passed. Covering my mouth, I dared not move a muscle, for fear of being caught.

After a few minutes had passed, Molly turned in the opposite direction. I took my chance and ran.

Running behind Molly, I grabbd a nearby branch. Raising it, I hit it with all my strength. I slammed the branch into Molly's ankle, causing her to stumble and fall.

Wincing, I drop the branch, my wrist pulsing with a stinging sensation.

"You!" Molly screamed, pushing herself up.

Taking my chance, I ran, and I didn't stop. As I ran, the wind blew my hair back, drying the fresh tears that had fallen. My eyes were now puffy and red.

"I can't do this!" Stopping, I rested one palm on my knee.

"Alex, Mom, violet, Sophia!"

Looking up at the moon, I watched as grey clouds passed over the moon, casting a darker shadow over the eerie forest.

"I can't..."

Falling to my knees, I let my arms fall limp by my side.

"I can't, not without them"

Holding my hands together, I looked up at the now clear sky.

"Please...if anyone is listening, help me, guide me, someone!". Sniffling, I wiped my nose.

Standing up, I tried to retrace my steps. Nearby bushes startled me, making me run in the opposite direction.

As I ran, I saw an Audi in the distance. My heart rate began to rise, and my legs sped up.

I tried to open the car door, but to no prevail.

"Damn it, its locked!" Looking around, I noticed a pile of lose debris and rocks. Grabbing the rock with my good hand, I slammed it into the window, cracking it.

"One more time!" I whispered to myself, raising the rock.

Slamming it into the glass window a couple more times, the window gave in. As I reached my hand into the car, the car alarm went off, causing me to jump, and scratching my upper-arm.

Feeling around, I found my phone, grabbed it and ran behind a tree, shielding myself away from plain sight.

Turning on my phone, I slid in the pattern code, unlocking it.

I went into my contacts and dialled the police.

The phone rang for a few seconds, then a dispatcher answered.

"Hello, what's your emergency?"

"T-the forest I-I" I couldn't speak, and began to hyperventilate.

"OK, ma'am, I would like you to take deep breaths and tell me what happened."

After taking a breather, I continued.

"I-I was in the forest and I found Elsie and Penelope. We were attacked and I think my brother was killed. I don't know where my mom or friend are-" With the mention of my brother, my heart began to ache, and my chest tightened.

"OK, ma'am, I would like you to stay on the line and I would like you to tell me your location. We'll then dispatch an officer to you"

"OK!"

After telling the dispatcher, she sent out two officers. I curled up behind the car and silently cried. The car alarm stopped. I was scared that Molly or my father would hear.

There is hope, I didn't give up and I made it...alone.

My brother, my mother, Violet, Emily, Penelope and Elise...are they gone?

I looked up, in order to see the red and blue light of the police car. I could see the light reflected of off my squinting face. A weight was lifted, but was replaced with sorrow.

Alex...
He's still in there with the others,
I need to find them.

End of chapter 30!

Thank you for reading chapter 30!

Do you think Brooklyn can find her brother? Let me know what you think.

~Becky~