Can You Find Me?

By Mariah Shepherd

Roses brother Gabe disappeared while they were playing hide-and-seek. His body was eventually discovered, but Rose never believed it was really him. Everyone thought she was insane, and her stability took a further hit when her parents died. After living through a nightmare, shes now ready to continue her desperate search.

Shes lucky to have a friend like Cameron, especially since she feels like someone is always watching. Rose suspects Aberumthe man who attacked the people she cares for most. As her search continues, Rose hides from her past and her own secrets, but secrets have a way of being revealed, especially in the chaos of crisis.

All Rose wants is to find Gabe, and nothing will stop her. She will fight the officials and the doubters. Despite DNA findings, she knows Gabe is still alive, and Aberum knows something about it. How far will she go? Rose will go to the edges of sanity to find her baby brother. She might be crazy, but shes right about one thing: she is Gabes only hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jul 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781480864160

Mariah Shepherd

Mariah Shepherd lives in New Castle, Pennsylvania, with her mom, Sheryl and brother, Alex. She is currently a senior at New Castle Senior High School, as well as a member of the National Honors Society. Mariah enjoys playing basketball and volleyball and has loved writing since she was a kid. She plans to persue Laboratory science at Youngstown State University.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Chris

I made my way to the hospital to see Rose. When I received the call from Dr. Emilia I was delighted. It took her a long time to wake up. I told Cameron she woke up. He was excited. I never saw him that happy before. I had to go back to pick him up the next day. He wanted to surprise Rose. I pulled into the parking lot in front of the hospital and saw a dozen police cars. What was going on? I hoped Rose was okay. I parked the car, walked into the hospital, and immediately saw Dr. Emilia. She rushed towards me, and I began to get nervous. I had an awful feeling running through my body.

She’s gone! The doctor shouted to me with as much panic in her voice as possible. The doctor started to pace. She was making me more and more nervous.

What do you mean she is gone? She wouldn’t just leave without telling anyone! She must be with someone. I did not understand why Rose did that. She needed to stop disappearing and actually tell someone when she needed help. I can’t help her if I don’t know what is going on.

I caught her leaving and chased her out. There were two girls in a black Jeep who picked her up, said Dr. Emilia.

Did she give you an explanation on why she left?

I was going to say what she told me if you didn’t interrupt me, Dr. Emilia explained.

Sorry.

She said she had to find him, that she can’t give up. Then she dropped her bag.

I need to see it. I think I know where she might have went.

Dr. Emilia handed me the bag, which I quickly dumped out. I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, but I knew I had to find the clue Scarlett gave to her before the accident. I wasn’t finding anything useful. She had many different items in her bag. I looked harder. Rose most definitely went where the clue led her to. If she didn’t go alone, then who did she go with? I believed Emily or Maria had a black Jeep. I remembered seeing it parked outside the house next door to ours. Since Maria and Emily lived next door, it must be one of their cars. I needed to go talk to them. Rose might be there or with them. I just needed to find her to make sure she was okay.

I think she is at Emily’s or Maria’s. One of them drive a black Jeep. I need you to come with me. I told Dr. Emilia.

Dr. Emilia looked confused and asked, Why?

If someone is hurt I can’t help them, but you can.

Okay let’s go.

It took about five minutes to get to Maria’s house. I knocked on the door until her mom finally opened it.

Hi, I’m your neighbor, Chris. Does your daughter drive a black Jeep? I tried not to have a worried look on my face, but I was not sure if it worked.

Yes she does, why?

I thought to myself, "that’s good.’’ Now I just hoped we could find her car. I hoped they were okay.

Why don’t you two come in, Her mom said.

We followed her inside the very elegant house. Everything was extremely clean and nothing looked misplaced. It made me want to live there. When we reached the living room, we all took a seat.

I’m Dr. Emilia Hill, I work at East Eckert.

What’s going on? her mom asked, sounding worried.

I strongly believe that your daughter and Emily both helped my daughter escape from the hospital. I explained.

Her face changed when I said that. She put her hands over her face and shook her head. She wouldn’t do that!

I said the same thing about Rose, but she’s gone. I said as I took a deep breathe.

Well. Where are they? Her mom asked.

That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I explained.

We need to call the police, her mom said as she picked up the phone.

I can call my friend she’s a detective. They are better than the police. I suggested.

Okay. Just hurry, I want my daughter home safe and sound.

I pulled out my phone to call Scarlett. She answered on the first ring.

Hello. Scarlett said.

Rose is missing! I said in panic.

What do you mean she’s missing? Scarlett asked.

She left the hospital in a black Jeep with Emily and Maria. We can’t find them. I explained.

Do you think they went where the clue led them? Scarlett asked.

I think they did, that’s why I’m calling. I need your help. I said.

The clue leads you to St. Vitus Cemetary. Scarlett said.

Okay, I’ll meet you there. I said.

We found a lead on where they are. When we find them, you will be the first person I call.

Okay, please bring her home safe, her mom said.

I will.

Dr. Emilia and I left Maria’s house. We quickly drove to St. Vitus Cemetery. As soon as we arrived, we got out of the car and went to Scarlett. She was standing at the gate unlocking it. What are we looking for? Dr. Emilia asked.

Aberum’s grave.

That will take forever. Do you see the size of this place! Dr. Emilia exclaimed.

We will split up. Dr. Emilia take the right, Scarlett take the left, and I’ll take the middle. When you find it yell for us.

I began to look for his grave, which was like looking for a needle in a haystack. All of the graves started to look alike, they were mostly the same color, which didn’t help at all. I kept looking grave after grave, but still no sign of it. To my right I saw a shoe. I ran over and saw Emily laying on the ground. I checked for a pulse as I called for Dr. Emilia. She ran over and placed her fingers on her wrist. She started compressions. I swear, if Aberum did this…

Where could Rose be? If anything happened to her, it would be my fault. I shouldn’t have left her at the hospital all alone. I just stood there staring at Emily’s body. Was she going to wake up or was she already gone? Dr. Emilia was still doing compressions. It looked like she was about to cry. Then she stopped. She wiped the tears off her face.

You can’t give up on her! You need to help her!

There was nothing left to do, she is gone. Dr. Emilia sat next to Emily, placed her hand on her head and closed her eyes.

She can’t be dead. Try again! Just one more time! I shouted.

She placed her hand in a fist and swung it down right in the middle of Emily’s chest. Immediately she started coughing and sat up. How was she awake? This was amazing. I couldn’t believe it. This was a miracle. Suddenly Dr. Emilia’s phone started to ring. When she pulled it out she handed it to me. It was Rose.

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Rose

I started to pace. I didn’t know what to do. Who could help? I remembered the card I got from my doctor. I called Dr. Emilia. I hoped she would answer. She was going to be mad that I left the hospital. I wasn’t hurt that bad.

Rose, it’s Chris. Where are you?

I’m in the woods behind Gaston park. Please hurry.

I hung up the phone. I walked back to the well. I needed to get her body out. I took my shirt and pants off, tied them together, and fastened one side around the tiny tree next to the well and the other around my waist. I leaned over the well and grabbed Lilly’s hand, almost falling in. I kept hold of her hand while I struggled to pull myself up. To get her up, I tied my one pant leg around her wrist, the other pant leg to my arm, and then started to pull her up. She was heavy, but I tried again using all my energy. I got her up. I kept pulling until her body was over the well wall. Once she was on the ground, I dropped down and tried to do CPR, even though I knew she was gone. I pulled her body closer to mine. I leaned up against the well and put her head on my lap. I untied my clothes from both of us. I just sat there thinking of what I was going to tell everyone. Cameron will hate me. I tied my clothes to my wrist and hers.

I grabbed two thick pieces of tree branches and tied my hair tie around them. I needed another hair tie, so I took the one from my hair and tied it around the other end of the branches. I slid Lilly’s body on the branches. I realized that if I pulled her, her body will most likely fall off the branches since nothing was holding her to it. I untied my clothes from me and Lilly, and tied both of my pant legs to each of the branches. Then I tied my shirt to her wrist and wrapped it around the hair ties so she wouldn’t fall off. I grabbed the top of my pants and pulled. It was hard, but I need to hide the body. I will never talk about this day again. I kept pulling. I felt bad for doing this to her. I turned around to try to pull her towards me, which was much easier. I just tried not to look at her. My arms were getting heavier every time I pulled. I needed to come up with a plan, and fast, because I couldn’t keep pulling much longer, and Chris would be here soon.

All of a sudden I slid down a hill. I grabbed my pants, I was hanging! I looked down. I was hanging off a tiny hill. It wasn’t very steep. I held on even tighter. I wished the branches didn’t move. I couldn’t scream for help. There was a dead body. I tried to pull myself up. Every time I pulled up the branches holding Lilly moved forward. Maybe if I moved slower the branches wouldn’t move. I tried to pull up as slow as I could. The next thing I knew I was going down the hill. I felt like I was falling in slow motion. I saw Lilly’s body sliding off the branches. I hit the bottom of the hill hard and I screamed. My arm landed first, and it sent excruciating pain through me. I started to roll down the hill, I hitting rock after rock as I tumbled. My whole body hurt. My ankle smacked off a huge tree trunk, sending a rush of pain running up my leg. I started to cry, hoping this hill ends. I tried to grab onto anything I rolled past, but my grip wasn’t good enough. I finally stopped rolling. I had no idea where I was at. I got up slowly, trying not to fall back over. When I turned around, I saw Lilly’s body coming towards me. She knocked me over, and I saw blood. I’m not sure if it was hers or mine. When I looked up I saw a shed and a trailer. I can hide her there! I dragged her to the shed and set her in there. I’m sorry I’m hiding you, I just can’t live with your brother hating me if he found out I picked Gabe!

I closed the door and tried to find my way back to the well. I saw a path to the right of the hill I fell down. I tried to walk up it, but my ankle hurt really bad. I grabbed a stick and used it as a cane to help me keep my weight off of it. Once I made it up the hill, I made my way back to the well. It shouldn’t be far. Once I made it to the well, I sat down so my back was up against it. I pulled my legs to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. I realized that I only had a bra and underwear on since my clothes got lost when I fell down the hill. I was cold and in pain. I tried to warm myself up by rubbing my legs, but eventually gave up and laid my head on my legs and cried. The only thing I could think about was what I was going to tell everyone. I didn’t know what to do, but the truth was not an option.

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Chris

As soon as we arrived at the woods, we all ran out of the car. The place was enormous. She could be anywhere. She said she was by a well, but there are many wells in these woods. I started to scream her name. Hopefully she would hear and yell back. I yelled, Rose! but there was no response. I headed down the path to my right. I screamed her name again, Rose! Why was she here? None of this made sense. Of all places, why would she be here? I looked around and noticed many broken tree branches. She had to be close. I proceeded to look for her. I walked farther then stopped. There appeared to be two paths in front of me, one to my right and one to my left. The path to my right seemed to be going off a cliff, so I walked to the left. I screamed her name, Rose! Maybe she could hear me now. I walked farther down the path and saw two wells, and ran towards them. I saw something on the ground in front of one of the wells. As soon as I reached the well, I noticed it was Rose. She looked horrible! She had cuts all over her body and was shivering. She only had on underwear and a bra. I took my jacket off and put it on her. It was long enough to cover her. Rose, I’m here. It’s Chris. She squeezed my hand, but never opened her eyes. I’m going to get you out of here, okay? She nodded her head. I picked her up and held her in my arms.

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Rose

I woke up at Chris’s house. I was confused. How did I get here? Everything seems foggy. Something was wrong. Chris’s face appeared in front of me. I didn’t know what to say. I don’t like to lie to him. I can’t lie to him. I want to tell him, but I can’t risk everything. I guess I just won’t speak. That will solve many things. If I don’t respond to their questions, they wouldn’t know anything and I didn’t have to lie. Chris took a seat next to me.

How are you feeling?

I stared at him. I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. I want to tell him. He could help me cope with this. I wouldn’t be on my own; like he always said, talking always helps. He’s not wrong, though. It does help to have that one person you can tell anything to and they won’t judge you. I just don’t know if he will be disappointed in me. I can’t let him leave me too or put me back in foster care. I don’t want to lose my new family. This is the only family I’ve had in a while. I didn’t know what to do. Maybe I could try to forget about everything that happened. That could help me move on. Oh my… what is going to happen to Gabe now? I need to find him again.