Redemption (Night Marchers #2) Written by: Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels Read Free Page B

that I was missing I have been under a
microscope. It’s like I can’t even go to the bathroom without a
chaperone!
    “I’m so sorry Emma, I just can’t help it. I
have this deep pain in the pit of my stomach when I try and lay in
bed at night. I feel like I failed at protecting you the first time
and I don’t want to make the same mistake twice. I’ll admit, ever
since you came home, I have been checking on you each night. I
wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t. Then when I saw you leave
with the backpack on your back, I couldn't let you go without
finding out why you were running away. I just have this eerie
feeling that you are going to leave and never return.”
    I see his face drop in the dark shadows
displayed by the moon. All the anger and animosity that I had felt
just a few moments earlier subsides and in its place a feeling of
peace and sincerity fills me. "You watch me every night?" It’s the
only words I can get out of my mouth. We both stand there for a few
moments as the silence fills the air. I don’t know what else to
say.
    Breaking the silence he says, "Yes Emma, I do
watch you every night and obviously, rightfully so. I just can't let you go. You can't run away." He steps in front of
me blocking my path towards the woods.
    “Tristan, you have to let me go. My
friend is in trouble and he needs me. I’m the only one that can
help him now. You need to let me leave.” I say the last
words barely above a whisper. I don’t want to leave Tristan but I
know deep down I have an obligation to at least attempt to help
Adam, and nothing is going to change that.
    “Then I’m going with you!” A look of
determination is set in his expression.
    I stand there at a loss for words. “What?” I
ask.
    “I’m going with you Emma; I can’t let you go
alone. Not this time, not ever. Whatever you need, I’ll be there.”
He doesn’t wait for an answer as he steps to the side and grabs
hold of my hand. “Lead the way.”
    I don’t argue, I don’t even think about what
just took place; I can't waste valuable time. I just allow myself
to lead Tristan down the beach, hoping I am going the right
way.
    When the light of the moon can no longer
guide us, I shuffle through my bag for the flashlight. Turning it
on I display the beam before us looking for some sort of pathway or
trail that we can follow. I know enough to not venture into the
woods without some sort of guiding path, or someway to establish
directional guidance. I shine the flashlight towards Tristan and
find him just a foot behind me with worry lining his eyes. I give
him a grim smile, since it is all I can muster at the moment. I
wonder if Tristan knows the secrets these woods hold, especially in
the dead of night.
    After wandering around aimlessly for a few
minutes I spot a small trodden path that leads away from the ocean.
Since it’s the only footpath I have found thus far I go with my gut
and we begin our trek upwards through the woods.
    Off in the distance I hear rolling thunder
and upon looking up I confirm that the dark sky is filling with
churning storm clouds. It's amazing how fast a storm can brew on
this Island. I look over to see that Tristan has noticed the storm
as well. Not allowing his worry to faze me, I continue trekking
ahead.
    It seems like we follow the same trail for
over an hour or so and still I catch no sight of Kai's tree house.
Doubt starts filling my mind as I realize this probably isn't the
right way. Sounds are amplified all around from the storm that has
continued to blow in and from the night wandering creatures.
Shuffles of feet, and scurries are haunting to my ears. I try not
to let my imagination wander as I focus on Adam and how much he
needs me. It doesn’t occur to me until now, that I have no clue
what I am going to do once I find him, that's if I find him. If he
is being held hostage, we still aren’t sure by whom. Paul said the
person looked just like Kai, so it's most likely Kao, but there is
no