A/N: okay, I'm just going to come right out and say it. I AM SO SO SORRY for the late update. I was aiming for last Saturday, but I re-wrote this chapter 4 times. I had a bad case of writers block so I decided to take a few days and plan out the next 10 chapters of the story and what I wanted to happen in each one. Then I had to re-write this one again to make it work with my future plans. I hope it was worth it and you all enjoy! Once again thank you SO MUCH for all of your reviews!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but I just want to say… YAYYY WAY TO WIN THE KCA AWARD VICTORIOUS! TOTALLY DESERVED IT! :D
March 23rd
Do you see that I'm crazy? When I woke up after fainting it was 1 day later, and the sun was already setting fast. I felt stiff and cold. Sleeping on a tree branch gives you that same uncomfortable feeling you get after riding the bunny at the Gorilla club for too long. A feeling most people (cough, cough, TORI) never get to experience. Hey, what can I say, I'm a pro.
I didn't forget anything that had happened before though, I remembered exactly what had taken place right up until I passed out. And as I replayed the events in my head it was as though someone had lit a fire under my seat. Climbing swiftly down the tree, I landed somewhat awkwardly at the base. I glanced around quickly out of old habit, making sure that no one had seen me stumble. But of course, there was no one around. I straightened my combat boots, tightening the laces and securing them tightly to my feet with fingers trembling from the cold. Standing back up I raised my arms high above my head and arched my back, trying desperately sooth some of the soreness. Giving up I looked around at the familiar scenery and a plan came to mind so quickly it was as though it had always been there. I was going to follow Beck's footprints. (Okay I never said it was a genius plan, but come on, I'm half-dead here) They would still be here since the wind had almost stopped completely and would no longer be filling in the holes. But as I looked around the ground once more, hoping to catch sight of the first mark indicating which direction my boyfriend was traveling, I saw nothing. No footprints. None. Not even the slightest hint of an outline.
"What?" I whispered out loud. "No, he was here, I saw him. It had to be him…"
My voice trailed off as I got lost in my own thoughts. Could it be? Had I really been so desperate to see Beck that I hallucinated the whole thing? Impossible, but yet…it made sense. Beck wasn't here, and he had never been. In fact, how would he have even known where to find me? He wouldn't travel all this way just because. And I was forced to admit the truth to myself. I was forced to watch my one chance fly away without being able to grab onto it. My legs shook violently and collapsed under me, leaving me in a small, shivering heap on the ground. I don't know what hurt worse. Knowing that I had never actually seen my boyfriend, or that I was actually slowly going insane. This was it. The end.
"NO," a voice commanded from the back of my head. "Get up and get moving. (Yes I'm seriously hearing voices in my head, it's literally that bad.) I looked down at my feet; they were bent awkwardly with the tops of my feet touching one another.
"But I'm so tired," another voice came. (Seriously 2 voices? Remind me that if I ever do make it home to ask Cat what the number of the hospital is that her brother goes to.)
"Come on Jade, snap out of it, we have to get home," I commanded myself while smacking the side of my head sharply with my fist. And barely able to stand straight on my feet, I pushed myself up and I hobbled off.
My whole original plan was thrown away. Garbage, complete and utter rubbish. There was no use searching for Beck, seeing as he was probably back in sunny Hollywood. Back at home, where the nearest coffee shop was only 10 minutes away maximum no matter where you are in the city. At the thought of coffee my stomach gave a great lurch and I groaned out in anger and discomfort. Come on, would it seriously trouble anyone to make a coffee shop out in the middle of the woods? I didn't think so. I'm just so hungry. I would honestly eat anything right now. Even Cat's brother's Christmas beef (although to be truthful, I'm pretty sure there is like NO beef at all in that stuff). I'm starving. Literally, no exaggeration, and you know how much I love to exaggerate. I haven't eaten in over 3 days and all I've had to drink is snow, and the drips off a few icicles I found hanging off a particularly large tree.
I've long since lost all feeling in my toes and I'm worried that I have frostbite. I know the only cure is to cut them off, and I'm telling you all right now, they had better not cut off any of my toes when I get back home. That is if I ever make it home.
I tried to put the thought of food and frostbite out of my head, as it was just making me paranoid and the hunger unbearable. But I couldn't. Each step I took I found myself dreaming of pizza, shrimp, pasta, coffee, and yes, even food from the grub truck. Even that food (can you even really consider it food?) was appealing.
The air was so cold by now. Easily the coldest night it had been yet, even without the wind. I wanted to stop and rest, but I couldn't allow myself to. If I didn't keep moving and keep myself warm, I knew I would freeze to death by morning. Tucking my hands deeper into my sleeves and wincing as my cold fingertips brushed my arms I stuck my face into the collar of the riding coat, warming the tip of my very red nose wasn't much, but it was the best I could do right now. Just one step, and then another. And another, and another…
March 23rd
There are footsteps. Not near my truck, no, much farther into the forest. But they have to be fairly new.
Yesterday was the windiest day of all. It started right after I returned to my truck. Right after hearing the "OW" in the woods. I was safe inside my truck but just listening to the wind rattle the pane of glass on my windows brought a sob to my throat. Jade was out there in this. She would be freezing. I let out a sigh and watched as the cloud made by my breath hung in the air. curling uncomfortably in the chair, I wrapped my arms around my knees and drifted off in an un-relaxed sleep. By the next morning the wind had died down almost impossibly fast. All of the footsteps made the previous day in the snow were completely gone, the wind having made wave like patterns across the ground. I groaned dejectedly, realizing any chance of Jade following the footsteps was hopeless.
I clenched my teeth and grimaced as I opened the truck door. The sudden cold traveled through me like wildfire and left Goosebumps on every surface. Realizing I didn't have much of a choice I slipped the ski mask I had brought with me over my head. I had decided against using it before, hoping Jade would see my hair and recognize me if I didn't see her first. And I was afraid she might think I was her kidnapper. But the cold that stung my eyes within a matter of seconds and turned the tops of my ears bright red made my decision for me. I'd have to wear it. I stuffed a few snacks and a bottle of water into my pockets and left for the woods once more. This time I went East. The same direction as yesterday. Because if it really was Jade yesterday, I might be able to catch up with her.
The walking was slow today. The wind had left piles of snow up past my thighs in some places, but barely up to my ankles in others. Try as I might I could never get used to the odd stepping pattern. It wasn't until past 4:00 that I saw the footsteps. And I was stupid. Thoughtless, foolish and well, just down right stupid. I realize I already said that but this stupidity deserves to be said twice, if not three times. I didn't think. When I saw the footprints, close to the same spot I had heard the "OW" yesterday I followed them. They lead me down to a darker part of the woods, the opposite way I had thought Jade would have travelled. But I put that thought behind me and continued on my way. The footsteps twisted and turned, not keeping to the paths, but heading through bushes and into denser areas of trees, it was as though Jade knew her way around this part of the forest. I pushed this thought out of the way too, thinking only of catching up to my girlfriend and carrying her home. And then never leaving her again.
Around 6:00 I heard rustling 100 meters ahead of me coming directly from the way the footsteps were leading. I stopped and listened. I could make out the sound again, but it was coming closer, the crunch of boots in the snow. Grinning broadly I waited. This was it; I was finally going to see my Jade. Excitedly I moved to fast and stumbled on a half-hidden tree root. Catching myself my foot landed perfectly next to the footprints. The grin left my face immediately, my heart hammered as I lifted up my shoe. There was my footprint right next to the other one, which were 3 sizes bigger.
Jade was 5 sizes smaller.
I tried to swallow but my throat had gone suddenly dry. The rustling was growing louder now and I suddenly realized how much danger I was in. quickly I tried to back up and hide in a particularly thick bush area. But I wasn't quick enough. The sounds suddenly stopped, and as I looked up I found myself face to face with a huge dark haired man. He was livid and looked as though he would stop at absolutely nothing to get what he wanted. And as I locked eyes with him I knew that this was Jade's kidnapper. And he would be my killer if I didn't get away soon. I turned away and sprinted fast as the man barreled after me. For a big guy he was quick, but my slight frame allowed me to duck in between the trees faster. I ran and ran but my pursuer never gave up. I ran until I had no choice to stop and then I threw up, but I continued to run as soon as I had finished. But still he was right behind me. My legs were tiring and soon I'd have to stop, but it was like Jade's kidnapper ran on hate. He showed no signs of tiring. I actually thought I may have had a chance of getting away though, and then my foot snagged on the end of a large tree branch. Flailing my arms in desperation I tried to remain on my feet, but my balance was too far off. My foot came down on the edge of the boot, rather than the gripped bottom, and I slipped on the patch of snow. Down I went. Tumbling head over heels, I summersaulted down a small hill landing hard on my back in the shallow ditch on the other side. The wind was knocked out of me on impact and for a second I saw stars. An eerie feeling of calm washed over me as I lay there trying to catch my breath. But I remembered Jade. I hopped up alarmingly fast. I had only laid down for a maximum of 5 seconds, but that was all it took. As I took a few steps to start running again, a hand shot out of nowhere and grabbed hold of my wrist, pulling me back to him. The sudden change of direction made me swerve and I knocked my forehead off the tree beside me. The rough hands yanked my face upwards meeting his own. Blood trickled from the very deep gash on my head (which was sure to leave a scar above my eyebrow) down into my eyes making it hard to see. But there was no mistaking those eyes. The harsh cold in them, and the hands that held me. Hands capable of murder. Yes this was definitely Jade's kidnapper. And now he had caught me.
March 23rd
Another and another and another. I've drilled that into my head. I repeat it continuously, forcing myself to stay awake and moving as the temperature drops more and more by the minute. And people wonder why I live in California…Hello SUN? This whole being kidnapped and stranded in the woods thing wouldn't be nearly as bad if it was warm. In fact, I'd probably wear my bikini and get a nice tan…or more of burn in my case. But at least I'd be warm. In fact while I'm writing this, if I don't make it out of here alive, I want you all to know, I want to be cremated. That way I will forever be warm. No freaking joke. It's like Antarctica out here.
You know how many times I've been hit in the face with a tree branch so far? 93. I now officially hate trees. So don't be expecting me to sign any "Save the Trees" petitions. Not that I would have anyway. For starters, the petitions are on PAPER. I swear people today are idiots. And for another thing, I now hate trees.
Oh my god I'm yelling at a tree.
I'm really thinking I should stop soon. I can't see anything anymore. The night has completely set in, and the sky is cloudy so not even the moon is visible. I've stumbled over more twigs, branches and roots than I can count (oh look, another reason to hate trees). As stood back up for the umpteenth time my head smacked hard against a rock resting on my left. The pain shot through my head and blood traveled down to my chin and dripped onto the snow. It was a deep cut and would definitely leave a scar. But hey, what's one more? It was close to early morning when I fell again. I went to stand up but found my legs wouldn't move. They physically couldn't push me up anymore. I tried using my arms but I couldn't move them either. I had reached the point of utter physical exhaustion. My body was shutting down and refusing to go on. I couldn't get back up. I curled my knees to my chest running my hands along my arms hoping the friction would create some warmth. I went to reach out and grab the blanket but it was just out of reach, and I simply could not move to get it. Without the constant movement I was cooling down really fast. I began to shiver violently. My teeth chattered together loudly and my whole body shook. I didn't know if I would be able to survive sitting here until my body decided it was ready to move again. I laid my cheek against the asphalt as I curled into the fetal position trying to save any body heat I could.
Wait a minute.
ASPHALT!
I did a double take. It was! There were no paved surfaces in the woods. Glancing at the black ground once more I noticed lines in the middle. Dotted and yellow. It took my poor brain a few minutes to understand. This was a road. A road meant cars. And a car meant a way back home to Beck. But first I'd have to survive the night. Using every last drop if energy I could muster I reached out and grabbed the blanket wrapping it tightly around myself. I crawled my way into and extremely shallow ditch, allowing me some protection from an unexpected snowfall or wind storm. Tomorrow I would flag down a car, and I would go home, tomorrow. And while I'm at it, maybe the sun will come out too. (Beck loved Annie. Don't ask me why, it's one of the few things I will never understand about that boy.) And with that thought I fell asleep with a smile on my face. For the first time in a long time.
A/N: annnnd scene! :P I made this a bit longer to make up for not updating in a while. I'm sorry there's not a ton of action in the chapter. It was more of a filler to get the characters where they needed to go for the next chapter. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed. PLEASE REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! And I'll try to update much sooner this time. That is all
~Kat