Sorry for the long wait. I just ended my term with AmeriCorps. During the last nine months, I haven't had much access to the Internet. However, I'm home for the summer. So, I'll try and get everything wrapped up before I leave for school.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The trio darted through the trees, weeds smacking against their thighs. Bursting out of the tall grass, Grant came to a screeching stop. Ben collided into him and Grant stumbled forward, losing his balance and tumbling over the body. He heard Eric gasp behind him.
"Who is it," Ben asked.
Grant peered down into the familiar face. "Cooper. He came with us. Help me search him."
The two older men bent down and began rummaging through the dead man's pockets. Within moments, Grant produced the now silent satellite phone.
"It's my Dad's," Eric spoke stoically.
Grant quickly punched in Ellie's cell phone number. One ring…two…three…
"Hello?"
"Ellie," Grant rasped. The sound of his wife's voice was like an angel.
"Alan? Alan is that you?" She sounded so hopeful. So desperate.
Static filled the airwaves.
"Ellie! ELLIE! Can you hear me? Ellie!" He slammed the yellow phone into the ground. "Damn!"
Ellie stared, mesmerized, at the dead phone in her hand. She jerked, quickly checking her databank to see the last received call. She didn't recognize the number. Had it been him?
She tried calling back, but got a computerized message: "I'm sorry, the number you are trying to reach is out of the area. Please, try your call again."
Ellie tried again. And again. And again.
Frustrated tears welling up in her eyes, she flung her phone. "Damn!"
END CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THANKS: Thank you everyone for your continuous support even while I was away traveling the country and doing voluntary community service.