"Go out back, and finish her."

The three men spoke outside. They wanted to go somewhere where Tamara would hear their conversation. They failed at that part.

Tamara grew even more scared, she was shaking like crazy. She didn't know what to do.

If she tried to escape, they'd kill her. If she stays, they will kill her. Every thing she would do, she would still get killed.
So, all she could do was pray. Pray for strength. Pray for a miracle. Pray for help.

-----------

"I'm not just going to stay here and do nothing! I'm going to find my daughter!" Moriah yelled at the police officer on the phone. She quickly hung up and threw the phone back at Luke. Luke caught it, after hitting his forehead.

Moriah just got up and walked towards the door. She ignored what everyone was screaming at her. Well, everyone, except Joel.

Joel grabbed her hand, trying to get her attention. He faced her and lowered his voice and looked at her straight in the eyes.

"I'll go find her. You stay here."
"Joel, no. What if they hurt you?"
"I promise they won't. I'll be okay."
"No, I'll go with you. I can-"
"Stay here. If something happens to you... I just couldn't live with myself."

Joel looked down, holding both of Moriah's hands. Moriah gave him a sad smile and kissed him.

When they parted, she touched his left cheek.
"I'll stay here. Just promise me something?"
Joel nodded fast. "Anything, love."
Moriah took a deep breath and a tear fell down her face.
"Promise me you'll come back. Alive."

Joel bit his bottom lip and looked at the ground. He stood silent for a few seconds.

Moriah waited, patiently. In her eyes, was hurt, pain, and brokenness. But, when Joel looked into her eyes deeper, he saw something. Something small in her eyes.

That something was hope.

He looked at her, and finally answered.
"I promise."

Truth was, Joel didn't know if he was going to come back alive.

But he wants Moriah to be happy.

Even if the cost is his life.

---------

The man dragged Tamara by her feet. Ants crawled on her face, which send chills down her back.

She stayed quiet though, she didn't want to make the man angry.

The man finally pulled her out, now they were somewhere in the woods. He let go of her feet and they smacked against a rock. She let a tear of that pain escape her eye, still staying quiet.

She was on her back, so she could see the man. The man stared down at her, he didn't seem too happy. Instead, in his eyes, he looked like he didn't want to do it.

But, he just shut his eyes and shook his head. He lifted up his jacket and pulled out a gun. But, realizing he forgot a step, he put it back.

Tamara sighed in relief.

He dragged her to a tree, tied her hands to the tree, and ripped the tape off her mouth.

Tamara shut her eyes tightly and bit her lip, it burned badly. When she finally opened them, she didn't yell. She just stared at the man who was about to kill her.

He looked at her, his eyes seemed to show how he was feeling and thinking.

But, all he did was ignore that feeling and pulled out his gun. He slowly lifted up the gun, and out his index finger on the trigger.

He took a deep breath and spoke in a scary, dry voice.
"Any last words?"

Tamara thought about them. What would her final words be? I hate you! Help, I'm about to die! What have I done? What do I do?

She thought and thought. Then, all of a sudden, an echo sounded in the woods.

The man still waited. But, when he heard the noise he turned around, confused.
"What was that?"
Then he turned back at Tamara and waited for her to speak.

Tamara knew what the sound was. She smiled wideley and happily and screamed her last words.

"PEACHES!"

The man turned around back at Tamara. His face said it all.
"Peaches? I will never understand teenagers."

He pointed the gun right at her face. Tamara lost her smile, but she still hoped. She turned her face and closed her eyes.

"Tonight, you'll see your God."

His finger began to push on the trigger.
Tamara whispered, "Please, God, help me now."

Suddenly, Peaches jumped on the man, biting and shaking his arm back and forth like a chew toy. The man tried to shake Peaches off, but it was no use.

But, still, when the man prepared to shoot, since Peaches moved him, he shot Tamara in her shoulder. Tamara yelled as the bullet entered her skin. Blood spilled everywhere.

Out of the woods, Joel came and pushed the man on the ground. He quickly ran towards Tamara and untied her as fast as he could.

The man laid on the ground and reached for his gun. He got up and aimed at Joel.

Tamara saw this, and she knew what she had to do.

She ran in front of Joel, no matter what her body said. Joel screamed, but by the time that happened, Tamara had already received the bullet.

It hit her in her chest, close to her heart. She fell to the ground, still breathing as the bullet didn't damage her too much.

Joel grew with anger and his hands turned to fists. He reached for a branch and slapped it on the man's face. The man fell, his nose bleeding. But, he got up and swung at Joel.

Joel fell, his mouth aching in pain. Then he elbowed the man in his stomach when the man was off guard. Joel hit him in the nose as the man was catching his breath.

The man fell, and his head hit a rock on the back of his head. The man laid silent on the ground, unconscious.

Joel caught his breath and turned back to Tamara, crying. "Tamara!"

Tamara got up, she was okay as the bullet somehow didn't go through to a dangerous spot. "I'm fine Joel. It's just a bloody wound."

Joel sighed in relief.
"Oh, thank goodness! I thought you were-"

But, he didn't finish his last sentence, because the other two men had shot Joel twice. In the back. And the bullets went through.

Joel fell, hitting the ground covered in leaves. Tamara watched in horror as the two men helped the other man and ran off.

She fell on her knees, beside Joel. Tears streamed down her face.

"No, Joel, please! Don't go!"

But, Joel didn't respond.

Tamara cried out even louder.
"Joel, please. Mom needs you."

Joel's breath was shaking, and his eyes were shut.

Tamara grabbed his hand, tightly.
"Joanna and Alanis needs you."

Joel couldn't respond, his chest slowed down by the second.

Tamara sobbed, her tears hitting the dead grass. Joel was breathing his last.

Tamara had only one chance to say it. She took a deep breath, and sniffed with tears. She whispered in his ear.

"I need you, dad."

Hey Craverz! Cliffhanger, again!! 😲 Sorry, but I want to make the book intresting. Please forgive me for saying this but... Who can guess is going to die??

Comment, Vote, and Whatever you guys do if you want to! Ya'll left me 100 notifications, so yeah!

Update tomorrow!

Byez Craverz!!