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Natara Williams
I take the water that the girl game me and walk back over to the support beam where I sat before. I set it next to me, being sure not to spill it. I wish I could have one last look at the moon; one more chance to feel the cold wind on my face. But even if I did have that chance; I doubt I would ever be able to pull myself away from it.
I sit back, trying my hardest to listen for Laura's "visitors". I don't know how she knew they were coming, but I don't doubt her decision to flee. There's a good chance she's not even allowed to come here; and I don't think I could bear knowing I caused that little girl any pain if she were to be caught.
Still, her visit had been worth it. I can pretty much assume Melanie is innocent at this point; and now I just have to worry about of she's alive still. If she's anywhere like where I am; my guess is Laura isn't sure. If Melanie ended up passing out on the floor, there's a good chance Laura can't reach her.
I hear a creak somewhere, and I automatically tense. My heart is like a bird fighting to escape it's cage; my mind heightening my remaining senses. I start to stand up, both full of fear and hope that these are the visitors Laura was taking about.
There's the sound of scraping wood and metal; and I think I can hear voices. I'm not sure though, since this could all be another powerful hallucination. Then part of the wall disappears, and blinding light claws at my face. I throw my arms up, but in shock I somehow end up on the ground again. I keep still in fear; disbelieving that there's anything out there. The voices are louder now, but I can't even tell if they're familiar anymore. Each syllable is like a great deafening boom; too loud to be understood. But I don't care. Someone's here, even if they're here to kill me, at least I'm not alone anymore.
Mal Fallon
It doesn't take long for Nathan and I to find Craig's former address. We left without telling anyone; fearing backup might frighten Melanie and Natara's captor. It's dark, and without someone like Natara to lead the way though the woods it's a rather hard journey. But eventually we reach a clearing in the thick woods. In it is a small wooden house; but it's all the way at the other end of the clearing. Between us and the house is a small storm shelter set in the ground; and a small shed. I glance over to Nathan, but he's already gone, sprinting off through the night to the shed. I follow closely behind, nervously glancing behind me to make sure no one is around. He makes a beeline for the shed; and I have to wonder if he heard something that I didn't.
Before I can even make my way over there he's wrapping his fingers around a rusted padlock; trying to pry it off with his bear hands. I start to protest that he won't be able to; but a moment later he stumbles backwards, falling flat in his back with the piece of metal in his hand. The sudden reality that Natara could be dead suddenly hits me; and I don't even look at him as I draw my gun and slip inside.
There's a figure lying on the floor; so curled up upon themselves that I can't tell who it is. After a quick glance around the dark room, which is nearly pitch-black for the only source of light is from the open door, and holster my gun as I run the the figure. My hand rests on a bony shoulder, and I try and shake them awake. But all that happens is they roll over onto their back, and in the dim light I can see a nest of tangled red hair. Blood leaks out from between her lips, bubbling slightly as she breathes. I place my hand over her wrist; her pulse is faint. Like a baby bird.
I can hear Nathan's footsteps behind me, but before he can get any closer I call out "Call for an ambulance. Now".
But he doesn't; at least, not right away. He see's Melanie; and I step out of the way so he can get to her. He lifts her slightly, keeping her head propped up with one arm as he grabs his cell phone. "They won't be able to get here soon enough. There used to be a road here; but I didn't see it when we came in so it must have been overgrown. Find Natara; I'm getting her out of here. I'll call for backup along the way".
Before I can even think about disagreeing with this plan he scoops his fiancé into his arms like she's nothing more than a small child, disappearing into the darkness. It takes me a moment to register what just happened; but I come to my senses when I remember that Natara could be just as bad as Melanie. I pick myself off the ground; making my way over to the storm shelter and hoping that this is where she is. This one isn't locked, which is lucky, but rather latched from the outside. It takes me a minute to pull the rusty latch up, and the heavy wooden doors are equally as difficult to open. But when I do, I don't enter right away. What if Natara's already gone? I can't imagine that; I can't picture her being so still and silent.
After a few second that stretch to an eternity; I step down into darkness. In the pale moon light I can see a still form; one that's so engulfed in shadow I can't make out a face.
"Natara?" I call. The figure seems to be looking at me, but I really can't tell.
"Mal?" I hear Natara's voice say. She get to her feet, and despite everything my face splits into a smile. She's alive!
The next thing I know she runs over and hugs me; so tight it's like she'll never let go. I do the same thing back; wrapping my arms around her back. I can feel her shoulder blades, which rise and fall with each breath. They tremble slightly a few times, like she's cold, before going still. The bones there are pointy, almost like she's on the verge emaciation. For a moment she lets go and looks up at me, her eyes shiny and liquid-like. Then her face changed into one of complete panic; and I can feel my heart rise to my throat. The look she gives me is so full of worry; like all the goodness in the world is gone.
"There's a girl" she manges to stutter "a little girl. We need to find her, now".
"What are you talking about?"
"Laura. This little girl. Her mom…she…".
Her eyes drift past my shoulder; wide with fear. I follow her gaze to a point outside; right up the the house. I know what she's looking at.
One of the windows at the house is lit up.