I hope everyone had a great Christmas, thank you for all the reviews.

Chapter 9

The groups had split up as they lost Lara's trail each agreeing to take a different route. The armed guards kept up with their fast pace as they kept calling for Lara.

"Hang on sssh" Vince ordered, as they heard someone moving in the brush. Slowly they edged towards the noise unaware if it was Lara or Mark. As they neared they saw it was Mark. Quietly Vince clicked the radio

"Rescue 2 portable to rescue base we have Mark in our site" he whispered before giving the grid reference. The noise alerted Mark as he pointed his gun towards them.

"Come out bitch" he ordered. Vince and Chase raised their arms in surrender leaving behind the armed officer who got himself in position ready to take his shot.

"Not quite who I wanted but close" Mark said "she'll suffer knowing you died because of her." He lifted the gun to point at Chase before he could squeeze off a shot his chest exploded. Chase and Vince ducked still managing to get covered in blood. They wiped it off as their radio came to life

"Chase Vince come in we heard gunshots are you ok" Dean's worried voice came over the radio

"We are both fine Mark Summers is dead" Vince reported.

"Oh thank God" Michelle said. "Ok teams keep searching we still have to find Lara"

Again they focused on the goal finding Lara safely.

Deep in the bush not too far away Lara heard the gunshot. She knew it was Mark and wondered who he had shot if anyone maybe it was his way of reminding her he was still out there on her trail, either way she wasn't about to take the risk of slowing down. She had already noticed the edges of her wounds were pink and swollen. Infection had set in without antibiotics it wouldn't take long for the bush to finish her off.

She kept walking thinking of the people who would miss her. Not her family there was nobody left. Her mum was dead and her dad in a care home suffering dementia. Last time she had visited him he'd told her all about his daughter and her gymnastics never clicking it was his daughter he was telling. She had cousins, aunties and uncles somewhere but hadn't heard from them since her mum had died.

Friends were slightly better, she knew the rescue guys would miss her but outside work there wasn't anyone. It was sad she realised the people at her funeral would those she had met through work. Dean would take it the hardest she decided. He'd ordered them to split up and it had made it easy to kidnap her. Plus there had always been an undercurrent with them. Feelings they had never spoken but both knew they felt. Maybe if she survived she would have to explore that further. Michelle would probably also feel bad wondering if hearing the confession would have stopped the stalker. Lara really wished she had mentioned it earlier maybe this could have been stopped.

She stumbled slightly, only will power holding her up. She knew she needed to hole down it would be dark soon. Day 2 in the bush was ending. She stumbled again as she walked towards the edge of the cliff the bank having long ago become rock sloping upwards. Just a couple of meters down was a in cropping ledge. At the worst it would shelter her from wind and rain. Cursing herself for getting so distracted and not noticing the infringing darkness she carefully climbed down surprised when the ledge lead to a small cave about 1 meter round. It would be warmer and harder to find she hoped. Inside she sipped her water and ate some bread and reed before curling up into a ball and falling into a restless sleep.

Both rescue teams elected to stay out and camp so they wouldn't have to re-track there steps. A new search tactic had been formed after Michelle had asked the team what they would do to get to safety and their priorities all had said water and follow the stream down. Only 2 rivers ran in the search area and although they both joined up they wanted to find Lara as quickly as possible.

First light they were up and ready the strain of pushing themselves showed on their faces. Their bodies were aching but none of them would admit to wanting a break.

Lara had woken up shivering the temperatures had dropped sharply in the night the clear skies of the day allowing the frost of the night. She decided to leave early just as light was breaking to get more of a head start. She climbed back up the cliff as she reached the top she put her hand out feeling a sharp pain in her wrist. To her horror a snake slithered away, black in colour with orange rings. It looked like a hooded snake although she couldn't be sure from the brief glance. Snapping to work she remembered her training a pressure bandage was needed. She unwrapped the tea towel from her foot and wrapped it around her arm using a stick to stop her from using it. So far there was just localised pain from the site but she knew it might not last long.

She began walking the need to find help more urgent. She knew her wounds were infected and now with a snake bite the effects of both would be worsened. She moved from the edge slightly as she began to feel dizzy and so thirsty. Only will power stopped her from drinking all her water she knew it would be a bad idea. She heard something

"Hey Lara" her mother said sitting next to her.

"Mum?" she asked

"Just wait here sweetie they'll find you soon" she said stroking Lara's fevered brow

"I can't mum I don't want him to find me I miss you mum" she said

"I know Lara I miss you too, just rest" With that she disappeared and Lara felt her eyes grow heavy and close.

She woke midday feeling tired, sick and dizzy, everywhere hurt. She knew she had to continue.

She was walking when Dean appeared

"Come on Lara don't give in"

"I don't know how much longer I can go Dean. I can't go back there either" Lara complained feeling exhausted.

"You're stronger than this" Dean warned

"You always did see the best in me" Lara said with a smile

"Well there is so much good to see" Dean replied.

"Why does everyone leave me?" Lara asked

"I won't Lara I'm going to find you I promise but you have to keep going don't give in" Lara nodded taking his hand as she began tackling a sharp cliff.

He disappeared as they reached the top. Lara continued the downhill making it easier. At the bottom se removed the tea towel off her foot intending to swap it when she heard a noise. She knew he was there. It was Mark, she ran, she knew he was following her.

As she pushed her way through the bush she lost her bread and her water. She didn't stop it wasn't as important as getting away from him. She tripped over a tree and fell her leg shooting pains of agony everywhere. She knew she wouldn't be able to move so needed to get under cover and get her leg splinted.