It felt like the package was mocking me. I wanted to open the contents, but I was also very hesitant of doing so. I mean, you couldn't couldn't just go opening some random package those days. Especially then, after my mom, and the invasion that had taken place earlier that afternoon. Who knew what could've been inside? What if it was a trap? Maybe I was just paranoid, but everything about it felt to be unsettling.

"Matt, I don't know about this..." My voice trailed. My eyes were still glued to the package beside me. I wanted to open it so badly, in fact it felt as if the whole world was screaming at me just to do it. Seconds ago I had been overjoyed with the idea of mail, but what were the odds that that package would be would be what I'd hope for.

"It's okay." Matt encouraged with a nod. I still wasn't so sure of it at that moment, but nonetheless, I slowly began to pull the tape surrounding the edges off the box. My heart was racing when I opened it, but as I looked inside, I froze. It felt like the whole world was spinning. How was this even possible? Tears were trying to escape, but I wouldn't allow. Biting my lip, I pulled out the letter first. It had been addressed to Destiny McCarterson with neat handwriting outside of the envelope.

Even though my heart was pounding against my chest just to open the letter right then and there, I carefully placed it on Matt's counter beside me. My breath was shaking, but the anger hadn't quite made its way yet.

I was almost positive that it couldn't be what I thought it was. It had to have been some type of hoax. I couldn't bring myself to believe my eyes. Had I really been seeing correctly? I needed a double, no take that back, I needed a triple check. Although I couldn't bring myself to even touch the fabric. I was outraged, completely smothered in anger for whoever thought it would be funny to send me something like that... Until I actually found it in myself to unsteadily take hold of the hunting fabric.

It was no mistake then, I could tell by the familiar scent that radiated from the heavy hunting jacket. I don't remember how I ended up on the floor leaving heavily against the counter behind me. But there I cradling the jacket as if it were him, my father right there hugging me. I couldn't cry though, it seemed that every single feeling that had been directed to that jacket, turned into worry for what this could mean.

It felt as if there were some type of hole missing from my heart, something that needed to be replaced, but couldn't... Where was he? Where was my dad that second. Was he gone? Cold, his skin slowly becoming darker and darker, disappearing with time. Or was he somewhere in hiding, waiting for mom, waiting for Katrina, and waiting for me...

It felt like I was sitting there forever until a familiar hand clasped onto my shoulder and squeezed it comfortingly. Barely able to acknowledge Matt sitting there beside me, I helplessly leaned my head into his shoulder silently breathing. From the outside I probably seemed calm, but in reality it felt like I was dying on the inside for more answers. Matt just sat there rubbing my arm, trying to console me, but I didn't need that, I was fine. I was just burning with the desire to know what this all meant. But, for a second the hope was running dry, nothing about it made since. Then I remembered the note that had come with the package.

Almost instantly I sprang to my feet, trying to locate the note I'd placed on the counter only minutes ago. It seemed hopeless though, because when I opened the envelope, there was a complete three sentences. "Right past the Willow tree, and the fireflies that come out at night. Cross the lake with a canoe. There lies the jars, that we all once used." The letter was signed by Anonymous.

It didn't mean anything to me though, It just felt like a restless case. I had no idea what was meant to be said, or understood within the hopeless riddle. I tried to remember, but I was to tired, and too weary. Everything in front of me was just a big pile of confusion. I knew that I'd have to work everything out in the morning, but I couldn't do it then. I left those things laying out on the counter that night, completely untouched.

Katrina was still sleeping soundly on Matt's bed, and I huddled onto the couch trying to let the heaviness of the day weigh down my eyes. Nothing seemed to work though, not even when Matt had fallen asleep right there beside me. All that was able to be heard was the muffled breaths of everyone, and the soft patter of rain against the wooden ceiling. I just sat there, tired and worried. That seemed to be all I ever did nowadays though, my eyes were dark, and baggy from exhaustion. If only things could be back the way that had been, that is, before the war had began.

I knew it wouldn't be the wisest of idea's to leave the house at nearly two or three a.m by myself. Although, I couldn't sleep so, what was the point of imprisoning myself inside this house. Matt was already lost in his dreams then, he'd never know, if I left discreetly enough. Just to make sure I had been correct, I leaned toward Matt. "Hey." I whispered making sure that he wouldn't jolt. I knew that he was a light sleeper, but I couldn't really do much about that fact. Of Course, Matt didn't steer, so, slowly I slide off the couch, and tip-toed my way to the latch.

Silently I pulled on my hunting boots and jacket, before grabbing the keys and jumping down the treehouse, easily landing onto the branch below. I did my best closing the squeaky latch as quietly as I possibly could. Although I don't think it was as silent as I'd hoped for. Rain water was constantly pouring down on me, but I didn't care at the time. I jumped down the tree, branch by branch, and once I'd finally reached the floor, I scanned my muddy surroundings.

I didn't know exactly where I was going, but I began to wonder aimlessly around the tangle of bushes and trees filling up the woods. At this point I wasn't even attempting to protect myself from the downpour of rain that fell against me. In someway it was actually comforting, like I didn't have to cry, the world was doing that for me already. The woods was familiar to me now, but out of all the places I could've gone then, I chose the pond. You know, the one where Matt almost drowned trying to save me, a eleven year old stubborn child.

It seemed like such a long time ago from the moment Matt and I finally became friends, and out of the worst conditions. I knew he wasn't my best friend though, somehow he was more than that. I didn't know how to explain what I felt for Matt at that instant. All I knew was, every time I seemed to be near him, I got a little queasy and shaky, but if it makes any sense whatsoever, it felt good, I wanted more of it. Everytime he looked at me, and he smiled because of something I did or said, I had this strange urge to be closer to him.

I was sitting silently in the mud just watching the pond riffle as single droplets of rain hit the water. It felt peaceful, and quiet, I liked that. Although, for some other reason it also felt as if, I wasn't there alone. I was probably just paranoid, that tended to happen when you were outside in the middle of night with only a small knife for a weapon. I sat there for what could've been another ten minutes until a voice approached me from the bushes.

"Rough day?" I heard a familiar voice approaching me. I jumped, startled by how he was able to just appear from nowhere all the time. Jay was standing beside me, offering a hand to help me up. I declined it with a small nod, and carefully pulled myself up. "Why out say late? Does Matt know you're here." Jay interrogated.

"I could say the same for you," I started, " but no, Matt doesn't know that I am out here, and I'd also like to keep it that way." I concluded simply.

Jay gave a forced smile, looking at the pond as the rain pattered down on him. "Clarissa was found..." He gave a shaky breath.

At that, I popped up my head with some relief that she'd been found. But then, almost instantly, a thought pondered my mind... Why wasn't Jay with her, if she'd been found. He seemed to catch the questioning in my eyes, and soon enough, he began shaking his head from side to side trying to console himself.

"No, don't tell me." I whimpered, trying not to cry. Not her, not Clarissa, not for me, not for anybody. She couldn't be gone, Jay had to tell me I was wrong. Clarissa couldn't be dead. He didn't tell me I was wrong though, he just started crying. Yes, a huge soldier crying outside in the rain. My heart dropped as this information sunk inside.

"I-I, I loved her, a-and I never got to tell her it. Destiny, what if we were meant to be... I'll never know now, because I never took the chance to ask her earlier. I-I never got enough of a chance to hold her, and call her mine." He paused, because he began sobbing again. I didn't know what to do, but tears were filling my face as well. It felt like my whole heart had dropped. Mom, and Clarissa were both gone, but I had to be there for Jay. I couldn't think about myself then. I didn't know what exactly to do, but I began to rub his back comfortingly the way Matt would do for me. "Take this as a lesson from me Destiny, If you want Matt, you need to run after him, because you never know how long you'll have someone there for you."

I was shocked at his statement but, even though I didn't want to admit it at the time, I knew Jay was right. I bit my lip and continued to rub his back comfortingly. I didn't know what to do, or where to go. All I knew was that my heart felt as if there was a gigantic hole missing. My skin had gone numb, and the world around me seemed so huge, and I was just one person.

I didn't go back to the treehouse that night. Though, Jay, eventually stood up, looking desperate to forget everything he'd ever known about my best friend. "Are you going to head back soon?" He questioned. We'd already been outside long enough for the rain to stop. I nodded with response, but nonetheless I stayed there by the pond tiredly watching my reflection.

I don't remember when the heaviness beneath my eyes finally won the battle. I couldn't remember the last time I'd fallen asleep out in the woods. Although, somehow the crickets that sang during the night was oddly comforting for me. When I'd finally awaken, it was barely the crack of dawn, seeing as daylight hardly was able to make its way through the the leaves above to light up the muddy ground.