CHAPTER 2: THE DISCOVERY

"Isn't this great?" Eric asked, "We haven't been camping for years."

"You're right." Annie said. She pulled the pan of the fire and looked around for the kids. "Matt? Do you know where everyone has gone?" Annie asked concerned.

"No… I don't. Want me to look?"

"Yes that would be great. Please be careful."

"I will mom."

***

It was getting dark and Ruthie was crying. "It's cold. I want mommy and daddy." she said softly.

"Don't worry!" Mary said, who was worrying herself, "if we don't show up someone will come to look for us we just need to stay put and yell for help."

They all cuddled to keep warm. Then they started to yell for help. But it was silent and it would stay silent for hours. Eventually Ruthie fell to sleep, but the other girls couldn't sleep, they were too upset. They looked at a soaked Ruthie and tried to keep her warm.

***

Annie looked worried. She paced up and down. "I can't wait anymore, Eric. I'm going to look for the kids too."

"No! I don't want you to get lost as well." But before Eric could stop her she left in the direction Simon and Nigel had taken earlier.

Eric looked as worried as Annie, maybe even more. He walked towards the van and got a cell phone out. He called Sgt. Michaels and explained the situation. The police officer promised to get to him right away. Eric switched off the phone and put it in his pocket. Then he slowly started to sob. He felt miserable.

It was 22:30 and very dark now. Matt took his flashlight out of his pocket and switched it on. Although he didn't have anything to eat because of the situation Matt kept his speed up.

"Lucy?! Mary?! Ruthie?!"

He kept on shouting, but there was no reply. He shined on every tree on his way. But he didn't saw anything. Then he stopped.

"Please, where are you!!!" he screamed.

Then much more silent he kneeled and spoke "Dear Lord, please let those kids all right. You know a love them very much. Please… Let them be OK." He sobbed. Then slowly he proceeded.

"Matt?"

Matt recognized the voice immediately. "Mary? Where are you?"

"I'm over here!" she yelled.

Matt moved the flashlight around him. Suddenly he saw Mary near a tree. He sped towards her.

"Are you OK?" he asked.

"I'm OK but Ruthie is soaking." she said with chattering teeth.

"Get everyone together." Matt said, "I'll take you back. I know the way." Mary left and returned with the others. Ruthie was extremely happy to see Matt. She ran towards him and embraced him while kissing him.

"I'm so glad you found us Matt… I love you."

"I love you too Ruthie." he said lovingly. He put Ruthie on his back and they started to get back over Matt's trail.

***

A patrol car pulled up at the camp and Sgt. Michaels got out.

"Eric, are you OK?" Eric whipped his tears of his face and turned himself to the police officer.

"I'm OK."

"You don't need to act tough in front of me. I know how worried you are… Any news yet?"

The second he asked, a ray of light swept across their faces.

"Daddy!" Ruthie yelled while jumping off Matt's back and running into her father's arms. She hugged him. "I was so scared."

"Get in the patrol car with Sgt. Michaels. You're soaked, you need to warm yourself." Ruthie obeyed immediately and left for the car.

Mary suddenly noticed they were the only ones there. "Wait a minute, where are mom, Simon and Nigel?" she asked.

"Simon and Nigel are still missing, so she went looking for them." Eric replied. Mary wanted to look too, but Eric stopped her. "No, I don't want you to go missing again." He said firmly. They all hugged.

Annie ran through the snow in panic. She didn't want to think about what could have happened to Simon. But somehow she had to. She shined her flashlight over everything she could lay her eyes on. Suddenly she heard a voice.

"Mrs. Camden, is that you?"

A small figure appeared from the dark and stepped into the light. Annie rushed over to the boy.

"Nigel! Are you OK?" she asked.

"I cut my hand on some sharp branches." He showed his bleeding hand to the concerned Annie. She took off her scarf and put it gently around his hand.

"Don't lose it," she said. Nigel nodded. They continued the search together, with Nigel showing the way he saw Simon leaving in. They walked for several minutes before they saw something lying in the snow.

"Stay here." Annie commanded Nigel. He shivered as he agreed.

"Simon?" Annie slowly approached. When she was only a few meters away she notices the person didn't move. Suddenly she noticed the blood and screamed. She backed off and ran away. But she tripped and fell. She turned her head to see what she tripped over. Simon was still lying on the ground, sucking his thumb.

"SIMON!!!" Annie cried out. "Simon, what's the matter?" Simon's eyes looked right past her. Annie put her coat over her son as Nigel approached carefully.

"Mrs. Camden? What's wrong?"

He noticed Simon on the ground and started to cry. Simon didn't react. He remained still.

TO BE CONTINUED…