P.R.I.S.M of Memories -on Hold

Chapter Three

~Conrad~

Alarm fills me as I scan the surrounding area. I don't see Laura anywhere though, not that this ridiculously thick fog helps. I rush to the passenger door and yank it open. Well, I tried to at least. I shine my cell light through the window. Her door is still locked. Her purse and phone are still on her chair.

Now that I think about it...I don't remember hearing her door open. She wouldn't leave without her cell, at least. Why would she even leave the car? She was the one who said we should be "wise" and stay in the car.

No...something's off here. I could feel it swelling up in waves at the pit of my stomach. Something is really wrong here. She wouldn't just wander off. My mind began to race with scenarios, possibilities, and all of them were tainted with an intense fear. I can feel the panic seeping into my bones.

Where's Laura?!

"Laura!", I call out frantically to her.

I jog down the road, rushing head first into the fog, my light only illuminating a few steps in front of me.

"Laura! Laura, answer me! LAURA!"

Call for help! I should call for help. I dial 9-1-1 on my cell and put it to my ear. I keep scanning the street for any sign of her. Or what I could make out at least. I wait and wait to hear the ringing, to hear an operator and know that everything will be okay. Because the police will come to help us. They'll come and help me find Laura.

A series of distinct beeps from my phone. I glance at the screen and saw the worse possible symbol. No signal! Damn it!

I want to chuck my phone at the ground but repress the urge. I'll just keep running until I find a signal. But Laura! I can't leave Laura here all alone. What if she's close by?

Blood curdling screams erupt from somewhere out in the forest. A wild animal? I've never heard any animal make such a terrible sound. It took about a minute to recognize the screams.

Laura!

I ran towards the source, jumping over the guard rail without hesitation and straight into knee deep opaque water. I had paid enough attention in school to know what might lurk in the Everglades.

I see giant mangrove trees with twisting, gnarled roots that stuck out of the water in a jumbled mess. I scramble up the roots and walk over the roots as if they were a clear path, though they were in fact harder to maneuver on than I originally thought it would be. I stumble and fall through the spaces in between into the muddy water. Quick as I fall, I pull myself up. Laura's anguished screams weren't fading and I could tell she was in pain. I had to reach her!

Her screams echoe eerily through the forest, intensifying the sound. I bet she had woken up every creature within a two mile radius. All the more reason why I should be more careful. I shiver at the thought of alligators peering at me through the murky water.

I want to yell for her. To reassure her that I was coming and that I haven't abandoned her. But wisdom told me to keep my mouth shut. Without a doubt, Laura had to have been taken from the vehicle by someone and I wasn't about to tip off her attacker that I was coming. The only thing I have on me is my switchblade. The one my father had insisted I carry for protection. It's a sharp blade but it wouldn't be much against a gun. The only chance I have of saving Laura was a sneak attack. All I could do was hope I wasn't too late...and that there is only one person involved.

I travel deeper and deeper into the forest. Laura's screams stop abruptly. I didn't risk shouting her name. The fear helps pump adrenaline through my body as I climb over the misshapen roots towards where I last heard Laura.