Eighth day of May.

It was late after school and Taylor walked into a teacher's office. Talking with the teacher he asked a few questions about lessons and was given good advice and help with the school work. He asked a few regular school questions and was given regular answers. As time went on Taylor started asking more personal and seemingly random questions. As the conversation slowly switched from school work to interrogation the teacher started to get more suspicious.

Realizing that there was something else going on the teacher answered each question carefully as he slowly walked towards the door. Checking outside he locked the door.

Just as he did Taylor asked another question: In the last few years many kids from the orphanage have gone missing. Recently a girl went missing and you seem to be the last one who saw her. What do you think could have happened to her?

The teacher paused in his step and turned away from the door: Kids at the orphanages run away all the time. I talked to a lot of different students. Much like yourself, most of the kids here don't care much for the adults. Even if I met her I don't see why she would have told me where she would have gone.

Taylor: That's true. But you know what I find interesting, it's the same with at least three other kids who talked to you. I wonder why they all run away so abruptly without so much as a word after meeting you.

The teacher smiled menacingly: I suppose they didn't like me much. But it's more likely they weren't close to anyone worth mentioning it to.

Taylor turned to look at the teacher: Well that's one answer. Personally I doubt it.

Teacher: Well, what do you think?

Taylor gave a fake smile: I think that if the cops had a suspect then they would investigate the situation a little more. Then after they looked into them a bit they might find the answer they were looking for.

Just as Taylor finished talking, a hand reached for his throat. He couldn't dodge or call out as his vision darkened. He wasn't worried; he knew exactly what his man was planning; he was simply playing along.

When Taylor woke up he was in a house. Outside the windows were rows of trees. They were most likely a cabin. This was good because he planned for a cabin in the forest. Using the light outside to guess the time Taylor made an approximate estimate on how far away he was from town. From the pain in his throat he couldn't have been unconscious for more than an hour. He wasn't tied up so he freely walked around. Around the corner the teacher saw him and walked into the room.

The teacher had an intrigued look: I must say I'm curious. You're obviously smart yet instead of alerting the authorities you confront me defenseless. You must have had a reason.

Taylor looked around at the bolted doors. His shoes had been taken to make it hard to run through the woods if he somehow made it out the door. He looked back at the teacher. The man was going through his bag but didn't find any item that could help inside Taylors situation.

Taylor spoke: I lied before. Even if I told my suspicions to the police it would only alert you. I needed to know where you took them. If the police knew that there's a bunch of bodies hidden here they might even consider investigating.

The teacher laughed: Well now you know. But how are you going to send them the message? Only pens and paper. Even this phone of yours is useless here.

The teacher tossed the phone to Taylor. Catching the phone he clicked a few buttons and sure enough there was no signal. Taylor turned it off.

Taylor spoke: I didn't think it would work. But even still I'm here now so I succeeded in my goal.

Teacher: But now you'll die. And your stuff will be buried with you. Unless you truly believe that you'll survive this?

Taylor smiled: I have to try. As long as I find out where those kids are it will have been worth it. I suppose I just don't like not knowing.

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The teacher laughed: Well, I'd like to see you try. For your troubles and as a final wish I'll tell you what you want to know.

The teacher walked over to the back window and pointed. Taylor followed and looked out.

The teacher spoke: Out back there. Around the back there's a well. Passed that turn is where they are buried. There's a flower garden on top. I'm sure you'll like it there.

Just as he finished speaking the teacher lunged towards Taylor. This time Taylor didn't let him get close. Dodging and running towards the dining table. He grabbed his bag and swung towards the man chasing him. The teacher dodged and pulled out his knife. Taylor could only imagine how many lives that thing took. As Taylor stepped back the blade reached towards him. He used the bag in his hand as a shield. The knife plunged into the bag as its rough edges were caught inside.

With the blade stuck a hand reached for Taylors throat. Backing into a coffee table he knocked over a vase. With the crash Taylor immediately ducked down and picked up a large shard of glass and stabbed towards the hand coming towards him. The teacher grunted in pain and retreated a step. Taylor ran towards the fireplace in the living room. The teacher, retrieving the knife, followed close behind.

As the blade swung towards him Taylor turned and fell backwards. His arm had been cut but he didn't call out in pain. Just as the teacher had the upper hand Taylor threw his hand forward tossing ash straight into the man's eyes. As he stumbled backwards Taylor grabbed the fireplace poker and swung at the teacher's head.

Blood streamed down from the teacher's face as he stumbled back into the couch. As he was falling Taylor hit him again in the same spot for good measure. Once he was out Taylor didn't waste another second. He ran towards the door undid the locks and used the iron rod to pry open the bolts. He ran out of the cabin and into the woods.

Taylor wasn't wearing shoes and the sun was already almost gone. His feet were bleeding but he didn't slow down. He knew how far away the town was and he had a head start. He had his proof but he wasn't going to let his guard down. Not until he was safely at home.

Taylor had run for five minutes when he rounded a tree and ran into someone. He stopped and took several steps back.

The person was startled and asked: It's getting late, why are you out here kid and where are your shoes?

The man looked worried and confused. Taylor took another step back and the man took another step forward. Taylor looked the man up and down for a second. Damn it. This man looked too similar.

It was getting too dark and Taylor didn't have any more weapons. This person was too big and he was hurt. This was Taylors absolute worst case scenario. The monster had a partner. Escaped from the wolf and ran into a bear.

Neither one moved. The sun was gone and the night forest was quiet. Taylor had been running at top speed to go the farthest distance and his feet were covered in cuts from the forest floor. He no longer had the speed to outrun this person. And fighting wasn't an option. The second he's within arm's reach he'd be unable to struggle.

Taylors eyes darkened. His chances of survival were now slim to none. He was still too far from anyone. But he wasn't going to give up. He had to try for Joseph. He has always been smart so he knew it was pointless but even still he wasn't willing to give up just yet. If he can't fight he'll run. He'll run till he can't anymore then hide. He'll hide until his strength is back. Then he'll run again.

Taylor watched the man carefully and the second he blinked he ran away in the opposite direction. This would put him farther from town but it was his only option. The man chased after him. His concerned expression was replaced with an ugly look. Even though Taylor ran his fastest the man had caught up. His arm was grabbed from behind. The strength of the grip nearly broke it in one pull. He was caught.

It was over but he didn't stop struggling. He couldn't because his life depended on it.Joseph, those girls and all those missing kids. How many lives have they ruined? How many futures did they snuff out? Taylor hated them and he hated the adults who let it get this far.

Taylor was being dragged back to the cabin. Every negative emotion he kept hidden was finally shown on his face. He no longer had the energy to keep his mind clear. He didn't stop struggling and he grabbed onto everything he could reach. He started to punch and kick the man to no avail. The more he flailed the tighter the grip on his arm was. It was agonising pain but didn't let it stop him.

Eventually Taylor picked up a rock. The second he had it in his hand he jumped up and smacked the man in the eye. It was dark and he was caught off guard. Taylors hand was only free a moment before he was grabbed again. He kept the rock in his hand and continued to hit the man with it.

The cut on his hand from the glass shard was losing more and more blood. The man seemed to get annoyed and pulled Taylors arm and with a snap it fell limp. This time Taylor couldn't help but yell through his clenched teeth. For a while he finally stopped struggling. Taylor was extremely tired and both his hand and arm cuts wouldn't stop bleeding. He was sweating a lot and was very dizzy. His heart was racing and he tried to control his breathing.

As the open door of the cabin came into view he saw a man standing in the door frame. It was the teacher he knocked out. His eyes were cold and he looked at Taylor almost mockingly. Taylors fury stirred up again as he pushed his pain aside to struggle again. He no longer had the rock and could only use his last good arm to attack. But his attacks were too weak.

He was thrown into the house and hit his head on the floor. As he tried to get up he felt something bump his head and he fell again. His sight was hazy. He could hear the two speaking to each other. Everything sounded muffled. The teacher said a few words to him but he couldn't understand.

Taylor layed on the floor half unconscious. He stared at the ceiling above him as he felt something cold draw lines all over his body. His mind finally started thinking clearly again. He was probably being cut all over. He already lost so much blood. At this point they probably wanted to torture him for their troubles but Taylor had already lost all feeling in his body.

He felt good knowing that they would never hear him beg for mercy or cry out in front of them. Taylor couldn't help but think about his life up till now. He was only sixteen and his experiences outside of town weren't great. He only ever felt happy when he was with Joseph.

Joseph.

He might cry about this. Thinking about this made Taylor feel more upset than dying.

He thought to himself as the world around him faded from view and the warmth left his body. He wanted to apologize to Joseph. For how this turned out. For leaving him behind without a proper goodbye. He wanted to make a wish. Something in return for all the good he's done all his life. All those requests in return for one final one of his own. He hoped that for Joseph's sake someone else would take his place. So as to not leave him all alone. He loved him but since it's come to this he would prefer that they aren't reunited for a long time to come.

Taylors thoughts and wishes faded into the unknown. Leaving only an empty shell behind.