• Chapter One.
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    I noted the sky rapidly washing out of all the vibrant amber, electrifying flames of crimson and copper, and the zesty sapphire. The dusk was approaching, battling with the sun light that I lived by, setting free my fears
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    My feet dragged on, each movement of my legs sending a new ache through my already throbbing body. A very heavy, very unintended groan left my chapped lips. I saw Austins beautiful head suddenly whip around and his stunning smoky eyes meet mine.
    "Come here babe." He said, his arms opening wide, waiting for me to enter them.
    I felt those coarse lips crack into a grin, and even though my weak body screamed at me to just collapse onto the thickly leafed forest floor and take a much needed nap, I strode to him.
    When I finally crossed the distance between us, I fell into his arms.
    "Aussie, I can't walk any farther! Forget the freakin' mission today! If you say that Livvy and Noah are still...Okay, then...Maybe another day could go by?" I pleaded. I sounded miserable, and extremely pathetic. Which was very out of character for me, but, I knew my limits. We hadn't eaten or slept or even took a break for water or bathroom (Or whatever is out here, its not like Amazon Rain forests have port-a-potties or anything...) in lord knows how long!

    Austin gave me an exasperated look.
    "If Livvy and Noah are even alive I don't think they will be able to live another few hours without food and water. I know its hard Zo..." Austin lifted my chin up and gazed into my eyes, as if pleading with me just to try and keep going, and for that matter let him do his idea or plan, or whatever...
    "They are my baby brother and sister Zoe, my parents are gone, and even when they were here they wouldn't care. We are their only chance. If I give up now just because my feet are numb, I could never forgive myself." He told me, eyes blazing with the love and passion he holds in his hero of a heart.
    "Okay...I'll stop being a brat and keep going, for Liv and Noah. For you." I sighed, feeling utterly self-indulgent and needy. Which was a horrid mix.
    So we trudged on, with a renewed purpose. For Livvy and Noah, Austins very young, very adorable twin siblings. Liv and Noah are seven year old heart-throbs. With their shiny honey colored hair and shimmering identical aqua eyes. They are Austins world, which means they are mine now too, so I wasn't going to let my mind wander from my chant of 'right foot, left foot...' for fear that I would stop and never get back up.
    We went on and on till the sun perished from my sight and the full moon replaced it, we continued till the Amazonian heat ceased to blaze and an unholy chill seared in its frame. We never faltered, one objective in mind...
    Till I had heard a sound I hadn't heard in weeks.
    My cell phone...
    "Austin! My phones ringing!" I shrieked, wincing at the hoarse sound of my own voice,
    "Just ignore-Wait, what?! Answer it Zoe!" Austin babbled senselessly, his eyes growing large.
    I scrambled to grab the phone out of the over-sized travel bag I carried on my shoulder. I fumbled and finally reached it and clicked the 'answer' button.
    "He-Hello?" I asked breathlessly.
    "Hello Zoe Annelise Hayden" A raspy voice spoke.
    "I-I-Who are you?! How do you know my full name?" I stuttered and demanded.
    "How are your dear mama and Papa? Last time I heard, they were somewhere in the ocean, lost...How sad."
    I was at a lost for words. How would he know that?
    "And your brother? Luis? Luis Bryce Hayden...What a nice name! Wasn't his birthday this past Monday? Too bad he wasn't alive to enjoy the gift of legal drinking. But his tumor ridden kidney wouldn't have been able to take it...Oh well."
    "You-I-I-Who are you??? How do you know this? I demand an answer!" i squeaked, sounding so pitiful...
    "Oh dear, that is so unnecessary. All you need to know, is that innocent little Livvy and Noah are here, in my grasp as I speak, and If you wish to get them back, alive, then it will be a long clash with dusk."
    All I heard was static and my stuttering heart from that point on.
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