“Yup.” Frustration creased his brow. He just needed a sign, anything. On the next turn, a flash of light caught his eye. “Slow down.” As Jace decreased speed, Reece craned his neck. He searched the spaces between the trees.
“What’s up?”
Reece glanced away from the window. “We need to go back. I’m sure I saw something’.”
Jace nodded. He slipped the gear into reverse. While Jace guided the vehicle back, Reece switched on the flashlight then studied the area. A glint of silver bounced off his flashlight.
“There.” Given the distance, he couldn’t make out the object.
Jace swung the pick-up into the concealed driveway of snow-covered brush and edged the vehicle forward. The narrow lane made for slow going. Impatient, Reece yanked the handle and opened the door. “I’ll run up and take a quick look.” He shut the door.
“Be careful. We don’t know what we’re dealin’ with,” Jace warned through the open window.
Reece proceeded with cautious steps. He kept his gaze fixed on the object hidden between the trees, still unsure of its identity. As he drew closer, recognition dawned. Someone’s vain attempt at concealing a vehicle had failed. He eyed the silver bumper peaking beneath the sand-colored cover. Reece glanced around before skirting to the front of the car. He turned as Jace reached his side.
“Anythin’?”
Reece shook his head. “Probably up there.” He pointed to the thick forest in front. The density would easily hide a cabin.
“Don’t get your hopes up, man. Probably some old villager.”
“Yeah, well, I wanna check it out.”
“Fine. Let me grab a flashlight.” Jace headed back to their vehicle. A minute later, he returned and handed Reece his jacket. “Don’t want your ass freezing.”
Reece nodded his thanks, slipped on the jacket, and trudged through the snow, deeper into the forest. Breathing hard, his hand closed around the soft teddy in his pocket. He brought Prisha’s favorite bear to help calm the child when he found her.
Another ten minutes passed, and his brother stopped. “It’s no use. We’re ain’t gonna see much soon. It won’t help if we got lost in this forest. We should come back tomorrow?”
Reece looked at his brother. While his heart forced him to think of Prisha and carry on searching, reason set in. Jace was right. Another twenty minutes or so, and it would be too dark to see their own hands. There wasn’t a guarantee he’d find anything.
He reined in his impatience with a loud sigh. “Guess you’re right.” He turned and followed Jace back to the pick-up.
“Prisha!”
Startled, Reece jerked around. “What the fuck was that?”
“Someone, please help!”
“It’s coming from there.” Jace pointed to their left. Reece broke into a sprint and shot downhill toward the sound, followed by his brother. As Reece crested an embankment, Jace stopped short. He tugged on Reece’s arm. “Careful. It might be a trap.”
Reece descended with a nod. A few steps further, he caught sight of a cabin hidden among the trees at the bottom. He squinted in the thickening darkness. Someone stood outside. Barely a second passed, and recognition dawned.Rowena?Her anxious pacing hinted at trouble. She glanced from one side to the other. Without a word, he raced toward the cabin with Jace hot on his heels.
When he neared the woman, her eyes widened and filled with pure terror. “Oh, Reece, thank God. Please, you have to help. Prisha...” she rushed in between sobs as though she knew him personally.
Anger flared. Reece grabbed the lapels of her jacket and shook her hard. His rage was too far gone to control. “Where’s Prisha?” He jerked her hard once more.
“Please, I-I never meant to do it—”
“Do what?” Reece didn’t keep the fury out of his voice.
The woman put a hand to her mouth. “She ran off—”
“What? Where?” Reece shook her again. “You, stupid woman. You let a six-year-old run off in this cold—”
“Reece, this ain’t helping. We need to find Prisha. Now.” Jace caught his arm in a firm grasp.
He pushed Rowena away in disgust. “Where did she go? How long?”
