A/N: Here's the start of some answers. Beta'd by Cherry! :*
Chapter Five
EPOV
Six people went missing four, almost five days ago. We started searching a day after they disappeared, and still nothing. Several people hold on to the hope of finding them, but there's many who seem to be losing theirs. The Wenatchee National Forest is a big place, but that was where all the reports lead the police to and all we had to go on.
It's been cold out, but not as cold as it could be. Weather reports say we have a cold front coming and with it, snow. It should arrive in a couple of days, which also happens to be the designated end to our search.
I'm calling bullshit on that. I will not stop until I find them; the lives of my sister and the person I love depend on it. I want to find the others too, but my only goal is to find those two women. Call it selfishness, I don't really care, but you can't tell me how to feel if you've never had to go through this.
The static of the walkie breaks through my ears, and then the words I've been waiting to hear flow right out. "I've found something! I see feet!"
The searcher gives landmarks and other indicators for us to find his location. Ten long minutes later I reach him and start digging, along with the three others that joined. The ground is firm, hardened from the cold, but it's not as hard as it could be. Our five shovels pierce the earth, the dirt falling into the opening and onto the body below. Fear overwhelms me when there's no movement from within.
"Stop. The hole is big enough for someone to fit."
I offer up myself by sitting on the opening's edge, my feet inside. Someone shouts, telling me to wait, as I drop down inside. It's a little too late—not that I would have listened anyway. Time is precious.
Inside, the stench is so foul it's difficult to breathe. Coughing, I pull my shirt over my mouth and nose to try and lessen the smell. When I reach the body, I kneel and roll the female from her side to her back. It's the Asian girl, Angela. Her condition tells me all I need to know, but the absence of a pulse confirms it. I sigh, relieved it's not Bella or Alice, but sad we did not make it in time for this victim, and anxious that we won't for anyone one else. Knowing this fuels my drive to find my two girls faster. I promised our families I would, no matter what.
"What is it?" I hear from above. I speak my findings loudly, but in a rush. The longer I stand here talking, the longer it'll take me to find more. "Give me your hands. We need to get you out so the crime scene people can do their job."
I look around the hole quickly, hoping to get an idea of what to keep looking for. It's dark and hard to see, but I can just make out some light streaming in from another spot. I reach up, grasping the offered hands, and am pulled out and replaced with people more equipped for this.
Picking up my shovel, I stand and look around. The others must be close. That hole couldn't have been more than twenty feet away. I look in the general direction of where I thought it was and start walking, looking down for an opening. I move foliage with my feet, trying to clear my path. Shadows catch my eyes several times as I search, but none are what I need. I don't make it far from that first hole before I see it.
"I've found another!" I yell out and start digging again.
When all is said, and done, the second hole reveals the dead body of Eric Yorkie. A witness had placed the 24-year-old male with Angela when they both disappeared in a struggle. Their friends had said they had just gone on a first date.
A/N: I have the next update written, so I just need to send it off to the wifey. If you missed last night's tweet, there will be a delay in updates for this. RL with my classes in general have become a little more chaotic, not to mention having to be a parent at the same time, so my fanfics haven't been a focus. It's a big reason as to why I haven't responded to any reviews either. :( I know exactly what I need to write for this, so I can pick up right where I left off when I get the chance. TIA for understanding.