Peter Scarbrow was finishing up some paperwork as he heard the drumming of rain. He prayed it wouldn't be another storm. The last had cost Horizon a hefty amount in damages.
He didn't think much of it, until Sophie came bursting into his office.
"Hey Soph," he greeted her.
"Hey," she responded. "Crazy weather we're having lately," she stated.
"Is everyone settled in?"
"The Cliffhangers are settled back in their dorms. They had wanted to continue the game, even with the rain, but when I heard that first crackle of lightning, the game was over."
"So who won?" asked Peter, smiling.
"We managed to pull through a victory, even with Erika gone."
Peter nodded.
"Where is Erika?" she asked suddenly.
"What do you mean where is Erika?" Peter stood.
"It's just, she wasn't in her dorm."
Sophie paused, and noticed the strange expression on Peter's countenance. "You mean she isn't with you?" she continued.
"I sent her to her dorm!"
"Oh my god.. She must have ran."
Peter wasted no time. He sped from his office, with Sophie behind him.
Peter was panicked. Why hadn't he kept a closer eye on her? He hadn't honestly expected her to run, especially in a heavy rain. She hadn't been lying when she had said that she thoroughly enjoyed making his job difficult.
He had to run after her. Even though it verged on a full-out storm, he had to go. He had run in storms before- it wasn't something he liked doing, but something rather he could do when the need called. And when one of his students ran- that was reason enough.
He truly cared about the students, in a way that no one else could. He had been in their positions once before. He understood their troubles, and their pain, their need to be loved, because there wasn't always someone else. He understood the difference one act of caring could have on the lives of at-risk teenagers.
Peter grabbed his coat and pulled it on hastily.
"Where are you going?" asked Sophie, but knowing the answer.
"First, I'm going to make sure that Erika isn't just hiding in the girl's dorm. Then, we'll try to figure out where she headed and follow that path. We have to find her, Soph. Her life could be in danger as we speak."
"I know," said Sophie Becker, placing a reassuring hand on Peter's shoulder. "You will find her."
"I wish I could take your word for it, Soph" he said, and darted into the storm, Sophie watching him leave. It wasn't just Erika's life that was in danger now.
Peter found himself in the midst of a fierce storm. The rain was heavy and relentless, the wind bordered on violent. He could hardly see, the storm was so cruel. He was only exposed to the elements a few moments, and already he was completely drenched it rain. But he braved it knowing that Erika was out there as well, and that she was likely, drenched, cold and lost, worse off then he was. He at least knew his way around.
Peter approached the girl's dorm and knocked as he entered.
As soon as he entered, Daisy said to Shelby, "Well there goes your theory that Sophie brought us in for no reason."
Juliette and Kat rushed to him. "What do you need?" asked Kat.
"And what are you doing?!" said Juliette, bewildered.
"Is Erika in here?" he asked simply.
"Nope," replied Daisy, bluntly.
"Why?" asked Juliette.
"Are you looking for her?" asked Kat.
"Yes," replied Peter. "We think she ran."
The Cliffhanger girls looked a little stunned, except for Shelby, who said, "Well that was bound to happen."
"In the storm? Is she crazy?!" said Kat.
"Nope, just another lost soul," put in Daisy.
"Do you guys have any idea where she ran?" Peter asked.
They shook their heads, unknowing.
"Well do you have anything, anything that can help us locate her?"
"Sorry we couldn't be of more help, Peter," said Kat.
Erika curled into a ball as she leaned against the solid oak, soaked to the bone. It was growing dark, and she hadn't budged. She merely lay there, pondering. The storm continued on, restlessly, and she let it wash over her, wash away all the things that now she wished she could take back. Wash away what was. Could she learn to trust again? Learn to love again? Erika had none of the answers that she sought. But she was certain of one thing- she felt, and she needed too. And she needed right now.
Erika saw a dim light glimmer through the trees. A glimmer of hope in the surrounding darkness.
"Erika!" she heard someone shout. Repeatedly.
Erika remained engrossed in her thoughts. She knew it was likely Peter, searching for his latest admit. What did she ever do to deserve the kind of treatment she received here? All she had done was try to make things as difficult as possible for him, and still, he had refused to give up on her. And now here he was, battling the elements, for her sake.
A tear slid down her cheek once again. She cried, cried because he had such devotion to his students, had such dedication to a girl who could only tell him, you're wasting you're time.. The kind of dedication a parent owes to their child. None of them were at all related to him and he showed such consistent dedication to them all. She couldn't help but respect that. She cried, cried because she knew what it was like to be so intensely devoted to someone.. And while all that guy did in the end was betray her in the worst possible way, Peter poured so much of himself into helping others, and just kept on giving.
Would she learn to trust again? Would she learn to love again? She decided she would give it a shot, but only because someone had inspired her to, because someone taught her that it was okay to feel, that all hope was never lost, that there was always tomorrow.
Why would someone waste their life helping people like her? she pondered. The only conclusion she could draw was that some people were fulfilled by this.. And there would have to a guiding light for people like her or they might never make it through.
Erika heard the sounds of leaves and plants rustling, twigs snapping under someone's weight nearby. Peter, no doubt.
A bright flashlight shined before her, and Peter emerged from the darkness.
"Erika!" he said, relieved.
He was not the only one relieved now that this episode drew to an end.
Peter helped her up from the floor of the forest, both relieved and confused that she had only gone that far, and her eyes were ripe with tears, that she did not push him away as he brought her back... to a place with light.