Love Unspoken

When Landon got back, he didn't head down the mountain. They just chilled up there for three days.

During those days, he figured out how to use the earthen stove and got pretty good at it, so Abigail barely had to step into the kitchen. Landon had stocked up on a ton of daily stuff, so they were set, except for the occasional firewood run.

Abigail had always been curious about the forest critters. Today, they ran out of firewood, so she and Landon headed into the woods. The place had been deserted for ages. The ground was covered in thick, soft, rotting leaves, crawling with bugs.

Abigail wasn't freaked out by the bugs. Sometimes, she'd spot a big snail on a tree and take it down, asking Landon, "Can we eat this big guy?" Landon glanced back, saw the snail in her hand, which was as big as a spoon, and frowned. "Eat it if you don't mind the bacteria." Abigail pouted and tossed the snail back.

She kept looking for other critters. "Can we eat grasshoppers?"

"Look, a cicada pupa!" she exclaimed.

Landon kept gathering firewood, ignoring her. After a while of no response, Abigail got bored and stopped asking.

Every now and then, they'd see colorful butterflies in the forest. Abigail caught a couple and played with them for a bit before letting them go. After a bit, Landon came back with an armful of firewood and handed it to her.

"Let's head back," he said.

Abigail casually took the bundle and looked him over. "Why aren't you carrying it?" she asked.

"I gathered it," Landon replied.

"Ever seen a hostage doing chores?" Abigail shot back.

Landon gave her a look. He didn't say anything, but it was clear: she had to do chores.

Abigail smirked and carried the firewood back.

Landon followed her, and they walked back to the yard at a relaxed pace. Just as they were about to get there, Landon grabbed Abigail's arm. "Hold up," he said.

at

someone inside," Landon

she instinctively stepped back, standing next to

they could vaguely see figures moving in the

He stood there calmly, quietly watching

leaned closer to the tree. After watching for a bit, she

"Your dad's here. Aren't

looking at Alvin, who was talking to the cops in the yard, with a complicated expression. She whispered, "If I go out now, he'll think I ran off with

staying silent along

car's still here, so

outside. My daughter wouldn't have been

supplies here are for two people, so Abigail should be fine. But are

footage? If she wasn't kidnapped,

outside," the

The mountain was huge, making it tough

the tree and spotted the bundle of firewood. "Look here!" he

and saw the neatly

haven't gone far. Please, help me find

Oliver showed

he felt a headache coming

Alvin's sleeve, and whispered, "Dad, why are

up. Oliver, you better not be hiding anything from me." Oliver was silent for a

a car, so they can't be far. Go find them now. No matter what, bring Abigail back today, or don't come back at all!"

then followed the group of

were crouching in the bushes opposite,

that there was no