Part 2

Taylor's P.O.V.

Wow. I never knew how fast Hayley was. I stop and turn to Jeremy.

"Did you see any sign of Hayles?"

"Nah, but she'll be close by. I bet she's hiding somewhere, waiting to jump out at us," replies Jeremy.

"Yeah..." but something's not right. We carry on walking, looking behind trees, checking bushes, even looking behind us once in a while to check Hayley's not following us. But she doesn't appear. My heart is beating faster and faster. What if she's fallen and hurt herself? What if she's lost? I start to panic. Jeremy can tell I'm desperate, because he puts a hand on my shoulder and says,

"We'll find her, T. You know Hayley, she's a tough girl. I'm sure she's fine."

"But what if she's not, Jerm? What if something bad has happened to her?"

"Don't think like that. She'll turn up sooner or later." Another hour goes past,  and we still haven't found her. I'm so scared for Hayley.

"Jerm... d-do you think we should call the police?" He thinks for a moment, then turns to me. He looks close to tears. I hate to see him like this. Hayley has always been like a little sister to him, and I know how much he cares about her.

"Yes. Let's--let's do that."

Hayley's P.O.V.

My eyes flicker open. I ache all over. My head is pounding. I don't remember much, just that I was running... and then... and then... somebody drugged me. But who was I running from? I put my hands to my head, willing it to give me memories... and then I remember. Taylor and Jeremy. Where are they? Did they find the brick house? Am I even still in there? Oh god, what if they don't find me here? Where even is here, anyway, if it's not the house? It's very dark in here. I try to stand up, but almost immediately, my head spins, and I stumble. I throw out my hands to stop my fall, and land on something sharp. I cry out. I can feel blood on my hand. As I crumple on the cold, hard ground, there is a noise. Footsteps. Coming closer.

Jeremy's P.O.V.

We've been searching for nearly an hour now. But still no luck. Still no sign of Hayley. I glance over at Taylor, who is pacing around, and talking to a police officer.

"...getting dark, Mr York. We've searched every inch of this forest, and there's no evidence she was here. You're sure she didn't just go back to her house?"

"Yes, of course I'm sure," snaps Taylor, then he shakes his head, "ugh. I'm sorry. Just... please. Please find her. You don't know how much she means to me. She's got to be here somewhere, we weren't far behind her when she disappeared. Are you sure she's not in the house we found?"

"Sir, I assure you, we checked and double checked." The officer was getting annoyed now.

"I'll go look myself," sighs Taylor. He lowers his head and starts to walk away. I get up and follow him and put my hand on his shoulder. He turns around, and there are silent tears streaming down his face.

"Hey. She's gonna be ok, T. I miss Hayles like crazy, but we have to stay strong. We both love her. She's our best friend. I know what it's like," I say. He pulls his arm away.

"YOU DON'T! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH SHE MEANS TO ME, JEREMY!" I freeze. What?

"Do you... do you... love her?" I ask cautiously. Taylor just looks at me for a while, then turns and walks back towards the house. I don't follow him.