Chapter Forty-Nine
Hope huddled in the bushes, wishing Maya and Juniper were still with her. She liked them. There was something about them that
gave Hope confidence, especially Juniper. Maybe she could talk her mom into getting a dog. She wished she could be as brave
and strong as Maya, although she was sitting here by herself waiting for the helicopter. That seemed brave. According to Maya,
she was tough.
She couldn’t wait to see her mom and even her dad. When would the chopper arrive? Would her uncle come like Maya thought?
And would Maya and Juniper be okay? So many questions. Hope felt like a little kid again.
The images of Abigail started flashing through her mind. Abigail shooting Jake and Vicki. Abigail hitting her. Slicing Abigail’s
arm. Her dark expression with no feeling or remorse. The way she seemed disgusted by Hope and then the moment when the gunshot
came and Abigail dropped. The blood was on one side of Maya’s face and Hope was worried that Maya had been hit too.
She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to make it all go away.
Her breathing increased and her chest seemed tight.
Keeping her eyes shut, Hope tried to make the images stop, but they wouldn’t.
What finally ended the memories flipping through her mind was the sound of a helicopter off in the distance.
The noise was echoing off the mountains.
She opened her eyes and tried to look for the aircraft coming her way. It wasn’t visible yet and she didn’t want to leave
her spot until she knew it was the right helicopter and didn’t belong to someone else who wanted to take her for whatever
reason. Maya had promised to tell her the whole story at some point. She’d said there really was a reason Abigail wanted her.
Was there anyone else out there who wanted her?
Hope stayed hidden. The sound of the chopper continued to get louder and louder. She peered around the bushes and saw the
bird in the distance. When it finally arrived, she remembered to cover her head and eyes as it landed just like Maya instructed.
She waited until the engine shut off and the blades weren’t spinning. Then Hope peeked around the bushes again.
The door opened and out stepped the guy who’d been with Maya at the lodge. And then her uncle and his marshal partner, Aaron.
Happiness and relief hit Hope all at once. She stood up from her hiding spot and ran over to her uncle. She flung her arms
around him and held tight.
“I’ve got you. I’ve got you,” he kept saying.
Hope didn’t want to cry. She was still trying to be brave and tough, but tears started cascading down her face as she sobbed.
Her uncle held her tighter.
“Where’s Mom?” she asked.
“She’s waiting in town. She wanted to be here, but we decided there should only be law enforcement since we didn’t know what we were getting into. Your mom can’t wait to see you. Your dad too.”
“I thought I’d never see you or my parents again,” Hope said, not letting go. She didn’t ever want to be taken again. Her
uncle seemed to feel the same way.
“We need to get you to a hospital and get you checked out,” he said.
Despite never wanting to let go, Hope finally released her grip and stepped back. “I’ll go, but Maya and Juniper, they still
need help. Can you help them?”
The man who’d been with Maya cleared his throat. He’d been standing back, letting her have her moment with her uncle. “My
name is Josh Colten. I’m the undersheriff of Western River County. I know this probably isn’t a good time, but can you tell
me more about Maya and Juniper? Where are they? Why do they still need help?”
Hope took in the guy. He appeared strong and was tall. Taller even than her uncle. She felt like a petite doll next to him.
He seemed nice. Wasn’t he the one that Maya was concerned about? “Someone shot Abigail. She’s still up by the lake. I think
she’s dead. Maya and Juniper went after the shooter. She told me to stay here and wait for the helicopter. She said to tell
everyone that she hadn’t heard from you either. She was worried about you.”
The guy, Josh, nodded and said to her uncle, “I’m staying here and I’m going to try to find them.”
“I’ll go with you,” Nick said.
“You don’t have to do that,” Josh said. “You can get Hope on the helicopter and get back.”
“I’m not leaving my sister out here with some crazy psycho trying to kill her,” Nick said.
“I’ll go back with Hope,” said Aaron.
“Hope, are you up for going back in the helicopter with Aaron?”
“Sister?” Hope said. “Wait? Maya’s your sister?”
“She is,” Nick said.
“So that makes her . . . my aunt?”
“That’s right,” Nick said.
“That’s so dope. You have to go help her and Juniper. I’ll be fine. I can ride with Aaron,” Hope said.
Nick nodded and looked at Josh. “Let’s go.”
Hope watched them head up the path and saw Josh using his radio. She felt better now that she’d delivered her report and Maya
and Juniper had backup on their way. And she was excited to know that she had an aunt and her aunt was awesome. Maya hadn’t
said anything. Did she know about Hope? Did her mom know about Maya? Would Maya and Juniper be okay?
Part of Hope didn’t want to leave, but Aaron was waiting for her to get on the helicopter. Hope climbed in and followed the
instructions to strap herself in and put on the headphones. The doors shut and the blades started up. She’d never flown on
a helicopter and the sensation was so different from an airplane. They lifted off the ground and even went backward a few
feet before climbing up into the sky.
A paramedic was there asking her questions and trying to look over her.
But Hope ignored him for a minute as she stared down at the lake that had become so small.
She now had a better visual of the fire burning and the mountains with some areas that had become charred with black sticks that used to be trees.
Other areas where the fire hadn’t reached still had green trees.
Somewhere out there was her aunt and her dog. They’d saved her life. Hope knew she’d never be the same. But what that meant,
she didn’t know.