Russell ran all through the woods ducking under tree limbs and hopping over rocks. Was it really this far to get to the campsite?
He should have just told Carl that it wasn't worth it and just have gone back to the camp and admit that they lost. Many people probably didn't find a rose. A rose was too hard to find in the woods.
He looked over his shoulder. What was that rustling?
Russell slammed into a tree and knocked himself out.
Carl opened his eyes. He felt his arms touch the surface of the mud.
He was at his chest.
Russell will be back and I will be fine.
The mud was pressing against his chest making it harder to breathe. He'd been here for such a long time it seemed.
A slow rise of panic was rising but he forced it down not wanting to cause himself to panic. Panicking would get himself into trouble and he didn't want that to happen.
Slowly he leaned forward just a bit to look down the path.
Nothing.
That one little move caused him to sink further.
Carl swallowed his scream and tried to stop himself from shaking. The mud was so cold and was so scarred that it caused him to shake.
He closed his eyes once more trying to calm himself after he watched his last button disappeared under the mud.
"Please hurry Russell." Carl whispered.
He opened his eyes back up and turned his head to see a vine close to the bog of mud.