Where's Finley?

Where's Finley?
Evangeline P.O.V.
The Present

No one said a word as I told my story. Not even a breath was let out, as if everyone was holding onto it like it was their last.

I just stared at the ground, unable to make eye contact with anyone, afraid that my tears would fall and I wouldn't be able to stop them.

Lily rubbed my back up and down as the silence went on.

Finally Susan spoke up.

"Wonderful, Evangeline. I knew you had it in you, and so did our friend in the woods. Truly a heartbreaking story, but one that was inevitable with life."

I looked up and met her cold, distant eyes. A smirk plastered across her face, as if she had already known and just wanted to force it out of me.

"You bitch!" I went to lunge at her when a scream stopped me dead in my tracks.

The Temptress's scream was high-pitched, one that could blow your eardrums if you were too close, almost like a siren. This one was lower and definitely did not belong to her.

Everyone frantically looked around, looking for the source of the scream. As I looked around, I felt my stomach drop.

The log, which Finley had moved to after Serenity's revelation, was empty. I diverted my steps towards the log, hoping that maybe I was just seeing things and he would actually still be there.

"Finley! Finley where are you!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Lily spun around, looking in all different directions. Finley was missing, and there was no doubt in my mind as to where he had gone, or what had taken him.

Susan remained seated on the ground, her hand coming to her mouth, covering her yawn. She sat there carelessly, looking off into the distance as everyone searched for Finley.

"Aren't you going to help us? What the fuck is wrong with you!"

I stomped over to Susan, shoving her across the grass. She stood up and dusted herself off.

"It has begun. You know where he is, why should I help search aimlessly when we know exactly where he is right now? I'm simply conserving my energy."

She crossed her arms and gave a know-it-all look. Her smugness stirred something inside of me, anger bubbling at the surface just itching to break out and go at her.

Dr. Richards came in between us, pushing me back away from her and spinning me around.

"It's not worth it Evangeline. She's messing with you. I don't know what's wrong with her, or why she is acting this way, but she's just trying to rattle you."

I stopped right in front of Dr. Richards as he almost ran into me. I spun around to face him.

"We have to go in there. I don't care what that witch has to say at this point, I'm going in there. We cannot let Finley die in there."

I thought back to my parents. How the last things I said to them continue to haunt me. I wouldn't let someone die because of me again.

"I'm not saying no Evangeline, but we need a plan. We can't just go in blindly." His expression softened as he spoke. I forgot that his own skeletons are haunting him from his closet, and this was definitely not something else he wanted to add in there.

I gave a small nod and returned back to the group of students that were still searching for Finley. I was shocked to see Serenity among them, though this is probably her ploy to get a few brownie points back.

"Okay everyone! We know that Finley was most likely drawn into the woods, and Susan's plan is not working so we're moving on!"

A few murmurs came from the group of students. Some looking determined while others had doubt spread across their face.

"You stupid girl, you think you can go in there and defeat that thing? You're just asking to join your parents!" A wicked laugh came from Susan.

I felt my face heat up, feeling like my skin was going to catch fire. I could let anything slide off my back, but I had only ever told one person about my parents. And now she was using it against me as a weapon.

"That's enough Susan." Dr. Richards piped up, walking towards Susan and pushing her back away from us.

Everyone watched as they exchanged a few heated words and Dr. Richards returned without Susan trailing behind him.

"Let's move on, yes? We need to move quickly." He clapped his hands together and stood beside me.

"How did you defeat it last time Evangeline?" A student I didn't know the name of asked.

"I don't really remember. I think I stabbed it in the heart, or what I thought was the heart, but it reappeared within seconds so that wasn't very successful."

"Maybe we can use the arrows we brought? Surely it can't stand multiple arrows through it's chest." Another student piped up.

That wasn't a bad idea, but not everyone in this group had a decent shot. Finley was the best person in our archery class, and while Dr. Richards could shoot with his eyes closed, most of us couldn't shoot if we were staring the thing in its face.

"I think that's the best idea we've got going for us. Thanks Jamie, I always knew you were a valuable asset to the team." Dr. Richards smacked the boy on his back as his cheeks turned red from the compliment.

Everyone started walking towards the vans where all of the gear was still kept. I stood in place, unable to follow, my gut turning inside out just thinking about waltzing back into the forest.

"Are you okay?" Lily searched my face for an answer.

"We already shot at that thing. I drove a knife into it, and it's still not dead. What if this doesn't work? It's not the most solid plan, and what if people get hurt, or worse, die? How will we get them out? Will it lock us back in there, will it keep us until it's done, will it-"

Lily's hand clamped over my mouth. Her bright eyes staring deep into what felt like my soul.

"Stop Evangeline. Clearly that thing feeds off of fear, lies, and secrets. You're feeding it without knowing it. We will get through this, we will get Finley back, and we will all make it out of there one way or another. I promise."

Her promise did little to ease the nerves that spread through my body. I was fortunate to have someone like her. I missed the annoyance of Juniper and the comfort that Janet could provide even over the phone. But I was glad to have Lily, even though we didn't know each other well, it was a silent understanding.

"Okay. Lets do this then, again. For Finley, and everyone else who has become victim to the forest, dead and alive."

Lily gave me a firm nod and we headed over to the vans with everyone else. Dr. Richards handed me a bow and a few arrows.

"Alright everyone, we go in together, we come out together, plus one, and we end this once and for all."

Dr. Richards got shouts from everyone. Not a single face looked scared; every brow furrowed with determination, every bow in the air as a sign of unity to go through this together.

We're coming for you Finley, hang in there.