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

inside,"

she instinctively

and from there, they could vaguely see figures moving in the yard.

instinctively glanced at Landon beside her. He stood

down and leaned closer to the tree. After watching for

here. Aren't

yard, with a complicated expression. She

her head, staying silent

searched. There's no one inside, but the car's still here, so they must've gone out," one of

My daughter wouldn't have

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

the surveillance footage? If she wasn't

check outside,"

and led the way. The mountain was huge, making it tough to

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

came over and saw the neatly placed firewood,

haven't gone far. Please, help me find Abigail. Landon must have

was talking, Oliver showed up with more

he felt

Alvin's sleeve, and

be hiding anything from me." Oliver was silent for a moment and sighed, "How could I? I've been looking for them all along

they don't have a car, so they can't be far. Go find them now. No matter what, bring

followed the group

bushes opposite,

that