Suddenly I was sucked into memory and I smiled at this one.
I was 10 and me and Seth were next to this river. He had named it the windy river and put a stick in the ground pretending it to be a flag. We stripped to our bathing suits and jumped into the slow-flowing river. We played and splashed on that hot summer day. We climbed out and sat near the tree that had an old rope swing hanging down. I remember Seth suddenly kissing my cheek.
I remember punching his arm. He said that best friends do that and well I believed him. So I kissed his cheek too. He was so happy that we ran home laughing and yelling. I smiled at the memory.
Seth was my first crush and was the only boy I had my eyes set on. We were best friends and I didn't want to ruin that. I threw my clothes on and checked my blanket. It was almost dry. I knew it was getting dark soon. It was about 50 degrees out and I smiled when I realized I can't get cold or hot anymore. Daniel trained me to be accustomed to both temperatures. I can still get frostbite and hypothermia though. I grabbed my knife and set out to find my dinner. It took me 30 min but I found a bunny den and caught a nice size hare. I killed it and cleaned it. I saved the skin and set it on the rock near the fire.
I roasted the meat and was about to dive in when I heard a dog bark. I jumped up taking my food with me and jumped up into the tree nearest to me. I climbed and hid behind the foliage. I saw bear come out of the bush and I huff. Seriously that dog was going to give me an early death.
Suddenly a person stepped out and I hid more carefully. I almost gasped and fell out of the tree. It was Seth. I almost didn't recognize him. He looked confused about the fire and the drying blanket and animal fur. He walked cautiously and scanned his surroundings. He won't find me tho.
"Hello" he yells, his voice is deep and husky, and I felt my heartbeat go faster.
Should I reveal myself? No, I can't put him in danger.
I stayed hidden and I guess he knew someone was around but wanted to stay hidden until he left. He grabbed bears collar and left the way he came. I knew as a kid he was a curious kid. So I stayed hidden until I knew he gave up trying to spy on someone. He left and I jumped down. I kill the fire, and grab my warm blanket and run towards the treehouse.
I jumped in when I made sure it was empty and put the blanket down on the only clean place on the floor. I finish the rabbit and put my water bottle down. My rabbit fur was cleaned and placed on the floor near my makeshift bed. I laid down and tried to get comfortable. I slept in worse places. Suddenly I felt like something was watching me. Without moving I assessed my surroundings and behind me under my photo of me and my dad and Seth was a camera lens.
Someone was watching me through a baby monitor, ...a baby monitor.
I stand up without facing the camera and throw the knife destroying it. I quickly gather the water bottle and the knife and put my shoes on.
I heard footsteps under the tree. I go to the window and jump onto a tree limb and then jump on the roof. There was a small hole which I peered through. I saw the trap door open and saw Seth pop up. I knew he wouldn't give up. I knew he would figure out someone was in there. I watch him grab the camera and look around. He stops and looks at the photo and he looks so sad.
I am the reason he is sad. I knew he can't figure out I am alive for his own safety.
"Was it her?" he mumbled. I almost gasped, he thought I was alive. Well, the police never found my body.
He never gave up hope.
I felt tears slid down my cheeks and I huff at how emotional I have been lately.
I saw him leave and I knew it wasn't safe here. I was going to stay close. I climb up higher and go to the one spot I discovered earlier the same day I was kidnapped. It was a huge branch that was connected to two others, It made a small platform. I grabbed some loose sticks and laid them down and used my knife to cut extra twigs off. I laid down and looked at the stars above me, and breathed in and sighed.
I was free, but I was caged. I lift my right hand and try to touch the moon. "I want my family back," I said softly before the darkness took me.