Midnight In The Path Of Good and Evil (Part 3)

JP with Redsword, LSP, and Cindy

Around 12:30 or so

As they stepped onto the trail Courtney knew they needed a plan rather than them just randomly looking. Courtney had experience tracking animals from back home but she never had to track people before. Also, being the trails were well laid out there wouldn't be things like broken branches or footprints to follow very easily. Thinking for a moment. She said. "I think Doug would have taken her to the furthest area back. That he would want to be where it was less likely people could hear them."

"Any place is a good place to start." Dante said, taking the lead. "Trails like this usually have picnic areas or seating that the end to rest before you walk it back." He walked fast, trying to contain himself but eventually burst off into a sprint, his nerves going to the worse things. Feeling like whatever happened might be his fault. Having made fun of Doug in such a public space.

Conner looked over to Courtney as Dante sprinted off "Hay Dante wait up!" yelled Conner. "OK, this is getting out of hand," said Conner under his breath. He looked at Courtney again "Do you think it's going to be that bad? should I call someone?" asked conner pick up his pace trying to keep Dante in sight as they went down the trail.

"I have no idea how bad it'll be but I think we need to find her first." Courtney said. "If we don't find her soon we'll call." Courtney just didn't know how much that would help until they found her. Courtney took a breath as she picked up her pace as well. It really didn't take long for them to get to the back area. "Let's look around."

Dante huffed out a fast response. "Whatever happened or is happening is bad, we just need to hope its not the worst thing. No one drags someone out this far this late for a 'chat'. You can do that on the beach." Dante said, "So if we need to take care of more than just a scared Mel we need to be ready for that."

Melissa just sat there for a few moments. She then remembered her phone. Checking the pockets of her jacket. It was gone. She stayed where she was but twisted her body enough to look around but didn't see her phone anyplace near her. Her next thought was she had to get up but that feat seemed difficult at best. A sound caught her attention. In her fear, she was terrified Doug might have come back. But then she heard a voice. Dante? Yes. She knew that voice, even if she couldn't hear who he was talking to. "Dante? I'm over here " Realizing her voice was a little raspy because she had been crying. "I'm here." Just a little louder but not knowing how close he was. Hoping he heard her.

"Conner Courtney over here!" Dante shouted as he hooked a left, crossing his arms over his face be burst through a small section of trees and into the clearing. Standing there panting. "Are you...you okay?" he asked, catching his breath. "Where is he?" Dante asked looking around, but moving closer to Mel. He took out his phone and turned on the flashlight.

Mel held it together to answer the second question. "He took off. I don't know to where but he went that way." She pointed with her left arm in the direction Doug had gone; which was the opposite direction from the beach. As for if she was ok; she could probably have given him a list of what was wrong but the only words that came out were "No. I'm not ok." It was said softly as if it was a confession. Not once had she asked any of them to help her but there they were. She felt relieved, amazed, and completely unworthy of their friendship. Her eyes started to well-up, one dripped down her cheek stinging her cheek when Doug had hit. She couldn't take it. Putting her head in her hands she just started crying.

Courtney heard Dante and looked up, then at Conner. She headed in the direction Dante had gone through some trees. And came upon Dante and Melissa stopping in her tracks. As she saw Mel sitting there in tears. She breathed a sigh of relief at having found Mel but just how badly was she hurt?

Conner gave a quick look around knowing Mel was going to be ok JD had taught him that if they could respond coherently and showed emotion they were not in emit danger. The other part was looking at the surrounding area if there was a lot of damage and threats to the injured. The area could tell you what condition the body was in. her clothing was still on and was not torn up so that was ruled out rape at this point. Conner gave a sigh of relief.

Conner kneeled next to Mel "Mel we are here you are safe now. What hurts the most?" he asked softly.

It took Mel a few moments to pull herself together enough to answer him. "My ankle. I twisted it. I don't think I can walk on it."

Conner smiled at her in a flirting way. "well then this is your lucky day. Two strong cute guys are here that can carry you and Courtney here to talk to. Just let us know when you are ready to leave this area. We will be with you all the way." said Conner.

Conner looked at Dante "now isn't that the truth Dante?" he asked.

"Yeah." Dante responded, kneeling down as well. Going to her left side. He could see her right arm must have been hurt either in the tumble or before, and didn't want to make it worse. "Okay." he said, "I'm gonna lift you up, let me know if anything hurts before we stand fully up. Don't want to exacerbate any of the injuries." Dante slipped his arm under the crook of her knees and hooking the other behind her back he pulled her up with a grunt into a bridal style carry. "Just leave it to use for right now okay." he said to Mel.

She figured Conner was trying to make her feel just a little better so she appreciated the effort but she just didn't have it in her at the moment.

Dante responded by picking her up. Which made her feel safe and the way he carried her didn't seem to make any of injuries worse.

Something caught Courtney's eyes and she bent down picking up a phone. Which seemed to have a broken screen, for a moment, but then she realized it was the tempered glass screen cover that was broken and not the actual screen and it had a case, so it would be fine. "I think I've found your phone."

Mel nodded to indicate Courtney was right and then said. "Alright, I'm ready."

Conner stepped back as Dante pick up Mel. he glanced over to Courtney and the Phone she held. he took another look around for Doug. Mel did not say anything but he knew Doug had something to do with this. Conner was not sure if he could keep his cool if Doug showed up. Conner was visibly angered by what happened to Mel. Conner caught himself and took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Dante, Courtney I am ready to go if you are let me know if you need help with Mel," he said to Dante.

"I've got it." Dante said, "but keep an eye out for my flipflops." he said. "I lost 'em at some point getting here." he told them but wasn't all the worried. "Mel just let me know if you need me to stop walking." He looked at Mel. "And you don't need to say anything till you are ready."

"Will do," Courtney said about the flip-flops. They'd need the nurse when they got back. She fell a little back from Mel and Dante and texted Matt.

Her text only read: Get nurse. Meet front of ggh.

(to be continued...)