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 him.

inside," Landon

she instinctively stepped

a tree, and from there, they could vaguely see figures moving in

Landon beside her. He stood there calmly, quietly watching the

the firewood down and leaned closer to the tree.

dad's here.

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 you."

lowered her head, staying silent

one inside, but the car's still here, so they

go look outside. My daughter wouldn't have

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

you see the surveillance footage? If she wasn't

outside,"

nodded and led the way. The mountain was

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

came over and saw the neatly placed

said, "Looks like they just got back and haven't gone

Oliver showed up with

felt a headache

walked over reluctantly, pulled Alvin's sleeve, and

been searching for days without finding her, and now you finally show up. Oliver, you better not be hiding anything from me." Oliver was silent for a moment and sighed, "How could I? I've been looking for them all along and just found this place. Have you

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

the group of

noticing that Abigail and Landon were crouching in the bushes opposite,

the bushes and saw that there was no