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The frozen lake cracked beneath his feet. He knew it would but had been hoping that just maybe it would hold. Either way he had to get across. He had to get to her and time was ticking. This mess was all his fault and he had spent his life trying to get to this exact moment.Slowly he got down on his hands and knees then to his stomach. He half shuffled half slid across the icy expanse. After what seemed like hours he reached the shoreline and pulled himself up. He wasted no time and started his trek through the trees and up the side of the mountain.The incident replayed in his head. It was always playing in his head. Over and over. Never letting him forget his harsh words and what they cost him that day. Tears sprang to his eyes and he quickly blinked them away.I don’t have time for this, he thought.&nbsp;I have to get to her.He heard a howl in the distance and quickened his pace. Wolves were not uncommon in the area and he didn’t want to have to deal with them on top of everything else. He finally came upon a flat area that lead around a bend. The cave would just be at the end of the path.Please be there, he silently pleaded to whatever gods would listen,&nbsp;please be there and be ok.As he came around the bend the entrance to the cave appeared. It was a crack in the side of the mountain just big enough for the average person to fit into. Adrenaline over took him and he ran, stopping outside the entrance.“Brittany,” he called out, “Brittany!”Fear coated his voice, his mouth&nbsp;was dry&nbsp;and his hands began to sweat. Just when he was about to enter he heard rustling from inside, followed by the smallest whimper of a child.“Brittany, are you there? It’s ok I’m here to help take you home. Everyone is so worried.”Some more rustling and then a small girl same into view, rubbing her eyes. There was dirt on her&nbsp;face and clothes making her pink coat dull and her purple leggings had holes in the knees. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying wiping them again with one gloved hand, the other glove missing.“Who are you?” Brittany asked, her voice so soft and delicate.“My name is Charlie, I’m here to help take you home.”“That’s my brother’s name and that’s why I’m never going home again,” she declared, her little brow furrowing with all the anger a small child could muster.“I know but listen to me. What your brother said wasn’t very nice at all even if he was upset. I know it hurt you but he didn’t mean&nbsp;it he was just mad. How about we give him the chance to apologize? Wouldn’t that feel better than living in a cave? Plus there are wolves out here,” Charlie explained.Brittany slowly looked around into the forest seeming to think over Charlie’s words, her arms crossed to show her disapproval of the whole thing.“I’ll go home but only cause of the wolves. I don’t want to talk to him,” she finally stated.“I think that’s a good start Brittany.”“Did you talk to them? My family?” she asked curiously.“Something like that,” Charlie responded, “I just know they’re awfully worried and even have the police coming out to look for you.”“Oh,” she whispered, “I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”“It’s ok, no one’s mad at you. They just want you to be safe.”They walked slowly back down the mountain. Charlie helping her over the rougher terrain.&nbsp;By the time the got to the lake the sun was starting to dip below the horizon and the air had gotten colder. Charlie had Brittany lead the way. She was so light the ice didn’t even make a noise as she slowly walked across it. Charlie followed back on his stomach again moving carefully. As they reached the other bank Brittany sniffled and Charlie noticed her pale ungloved hand.“Here it’s getting colder,” he said as he took off his coat and wrapped it around her.“But what about you,” Brittany asked.“I still have long sleeves and it won’t be long now till we’re at the house.&nbsp;It’s important for you to stay warm Britt, you’ve been out here longer than I have.”Brittany&nbsp;walked beside him her eyes unfocused as she was in deep thought. As they&nbsp;came over the hill, they could see flashing lights in the distance. Red and blue taking turns lighting up the surroundings in the approaching darkness. At this Charlie picked Brittany up and picked up the pace, determined to get her home safe.As he walked up the drive-way past&nbsp;the police car they heard a yell.“Brittany! Oh my god!”Brittany’s mother came sprinting out of the house, tears flowing down her cheeks as she reached them and took the little girl in her arms. The father and brother came following out along with a police officer.The father grasped Charlie’s hand and started shaking it vigorously.&nbsp;“Thank you thank you, where was she? How did you find her?” the words tumbling from the father’s mouth.“I was out camping and found her in a cave a little ways up the mountain. Thought I ought to bring her home. Heard it’s supposed to get pretty cold tonight,” was Charlie’s reply.The father and mother, with Brittany in her arms captured Charlie in a hug, thanking him over and over again. The brother that had been standing to the side let out a sob.“Britt...I….I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” he cried.Brittany let herself be put down and hugged the boy.“It’s ok, I’m sorry I made you mad. I know you didn’t mean it,” she said softly.As everything calmed down and the police officer drove away, the family started going back into their home.“Do you need a ride? Can we call someone for you?” asked the mother.“No, it’s ok. My destination isn’t too far off and I know this area pretty well,” Charlie answered.The mom patted his arm, thanked him again and turned to go inside. Brittany came bouncing down the stairs with Charlie’s coat.“Don’t forget this,” she squealed.&nbsp;She opened her arms for a hug and Charlie kneeled down to accept.“Don’t go wondering off every time you’re mad now ok?” Charlie joked.“I won’t. Thank you for getting me, even if what you said was mean,” she said, a knowing glint in her eye.“How…” Charlie trailed off.“Only you call me Britt,” she whispered back.It took Charlie by surprise for a moment but he quickly smiled, patted her head, and stood up to leave. He watched them all file into the house and peace came over him. A peace he had not felt in a very long time. He turned and headed towards his machine. It was a hard lesson to learn, that words have so much power, that words can hurt and destroy. Having been able to come back to this moment and fix what he had done,&nbsp;the way she forgave him instantly after being so upset,&nbsp;to have Britt know it was him that fixed it somehow,&nbsp;it meant everything to him. He vowed to never say an unkind word again.

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Time Crunch

KDonahue89

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Time Crunch

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