So far, there's been nothing to suggest foul play or that this might be anything more than just a lost child, but now, his words have planted that seed in my mind, and it's making my determination to continue all the stronger.
"Either way, if there's any chance that’s where she is, then that’s where we’re going.” I inject some enthusiasm into my voice, trying to convince myself, and him, that I’ve got more left in the tank than I do.
“Sure thing, boss,” Sheridan says.
Not knowing whether he’s being sarcastic or he’s just bone-weary, I let his surly tone slide. But when he practically rolls his eyes at me as I sling my backpack onto my shoulder, I step into his personal space.
"If you don't want to go, too tired, or just too fucking lazy to do what you're told, and do it properly, then fine. Sit here twiddling your thumbs while the rest of us work." I twist and grab a back-up flashlight with fresh batteries that Taylor holds out for me. "Thanks, Taylor. Keep us posted if there's any news."
With an exaggerated exhale, Sheridan throws his pack onto his shoulder and falls into step beside me, then we head into the trees without a word. The undergrowth is thicker up here, the terrain steeper, and within twenty minutes, my already tired thighs are screaming, and my lungs are burning in the cold evening air.
We call her name as we go, our voices swallowed by the vastness of the forest.
The radio Sheridan carries has been quiet for too long. In a situation like this, no news is definitely not good news, and the dead air feels heavier with every passing minute as the gloom around us deepens.
“We’re heading in the wrong direction. What kid is going to walk this way? It’d be too hard for her.” The drooped set of his shoulders tells me he's just going through the motions now. "It's too fucking dark out here, Lisa. We can't keep going. Let's go back…"
Irritated by this pessimism, my anger builds, and I’m ready to tell him to get his head out of his ass, when I realise I’m not really angry at him, just the situation. Itisgetting dangerous to be out here. And maybe our time would be better spent covering an area that would be easier to traverse as a small child.
Shit. Are we just spinning our wheels out here?
When I stop, hands on hips, and turn to look at him, I’m about to suggest radioing the other team coming from the opposite side to see how far away they are until something moving through the trees ahead of us catches my attention.
As I blink and stare into the murky shadows, the leaves rustle and shake. Whatever it is, it's big and moving fast.
"What do you think? I mean, I’m beat. Surely, she would have walked downhill, back toward town."
My hand goes to my weapon on instinct, and I signal Sheridan to shut up.
Confused, his features scrunch up as I crouch, finger to my lips, and he stoops over, turning to stare into the dense foliage around us.
We freeze, listening as the sound gets closer. Branches cracking under heavy footfalls on soft ground are not the timid steps of a small girl.
Gun raised, I track its movement, ready to fire if needed.
It's probably just a deer. Or a kidnapper, my primitive fear whispers. Someone took the girl, and they’ve come to ensure they don’t get found.
The footsteps are close now, maybe twenty yards out and slowing as whoever it is realises they're not alone.
I tighten my grip on the gun and brace, every muscle locked, as my finger eases onto the trigger when a tall figure stops in the treeline, hidden by the dense shadows.
Watching us. They wait.
10
BEAU
The first thing I smell is her. Closely followed by the distinctive tang of gunmetal.
I stop dead in the trees, hands going out at my sides with palms forward, as I step ahead slowly, squinting against the beam of her headlamp when it hits my face.
Her gun arm wavers as she lowers the weapon and exhales sharply.
“Jesus, Beau, you scared the life out of me.”
Immediately, my attention goes to the tall man at her side, his shoulder now slightly in front of hers protectively, even though thirty seconds ago, he was happy to sit back and let her handle business.
“You know this guy?” he asks quietly, never taking his eyes off me.
