Julie leaned against the base of the tree, her face pale and tight with pain. She took a few shaky breaths before speaking.
"After we moved in, my dad wanted to check the forest. And the road loop," she said, voice low. Her hands dug into the dirt. "He didn't want to leave us alone in the town, so he brought us. We drove the road twice—same loop, same thing. After that, we parked and walked into the forest."
Dean crouched in front of her. His eyes stayed on her, waiting for every word.
"We didn't go deep. Just near the edge," Julie added quickly. "We were looking around when these… dogs came out of nowhere. They ran right at me."
Dean didn't say anything and just nodded for her to keep going.
"I was a little ahead," Julie said, her voice cracking. "Dad tried to get to me, but I panicked. I just ran. Then I saw this tree… hollow inside, like a hiding spot. I climbed in. But the second I did… I wasn't inside anymore. I was up in the air, falling through branches. My leg hit one, and I caught another before I could fall farther. Then I just… held on."
Dean let out a slow breath, his eyes steady on her. "Your family must be looking for you."
Julie blinked, her panicked mind finally catching hold of the words. She swallowed hard and nodded, almost grounding herself with the thought.
Dean softened his tone. "First, let's get you back to town. Kristi's our doctor. She'll check that leg. In the meantime, I'll go find your parents and let them know you're safe. Just… point me to where they went into the woods."
Julie nodded quickly, relief flickering in her expression. "From behind our house," she said, her voice still shaky. "That's where we started."
"Good." Dean gave her a firm nod. "I'll find them. But first thing—let's deal with you." He glanced at her leg. "You think you can walk? Or do I carry you?"
Julie hesitated, chewing on her lip. "Please… just help me up first."
"Alright."
Dean moved in carefully, sliding an arm under hers and easing her upright. Julie leaned into him as she put weight on her good leg. The moment her injured foot touched the ground, she let out a sharp cry, her knees buckling. Dean caught her before she could fall.
"Easy," he said firmly, steadying her. "Don't force it."
Julie gritted her teeth, sweat breaking on her forehead. "I thought I could… but it hurts too much. I can't."
Dean sighed. "Then that's settled. I'll carry you."
Julie nodded, grateful—there was no other choice.
Dean lifted her carefully again, making sure her injured leg was supported. She gasped as it shifted slightly. Victor fell in beside them, his eyes scanning the trees.
The walk back was long and tense. Dean moved with measured steps, careful not to jostle her. Julie stayed quiet most of the time, only letting out the occasional hiss when her leg shifted.
"Dean?" Julie's voice was barely a whisper after a while.
"Yeah?"
"Thank...thank you."
Dean adjusted his grip slightly, his arms strong and steady. "Anytime"
Julie let out a shaky breath and closed her eyes, trying to not focus on her broken leg.
By the time the trees thinned, Dean's arms burned from the weight, but he ignored it. He kept moving until the town's edge appeared ahead, the buildings small and still in the daylight. Julie stirred, lifting her head weakly.
"There," Dean muttered, spotting the post office down the street. He headed straight for it.
From the steps, Boyd's tall frame was visible, and Tabitha stood in front of him, frantic. She was talking fast, her voice high with panic, gesturing with her hands. Even from a distance, Dean could hear the desperation in her tone.
Julie's eyes widened. She drew in a shaky breath, then yelled with everything she had left. "Mom!"
Her voice cracked the air like glass shattering. Both Boyd and Tabitha froze, their heads snapping toward the sound.
Tabitha's eyes landed on her daughter in Dean's arms. "Julie?" she gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
Julie reached out toward her, tears springing to her eyes. "Mom!"
Tabitha didn't wait. She rushed down the steps, nearly stumbling in her haste, her face a mix of relief and shock. Boyd followed close behind, his serious expression softening as he saw the girl alive.
Dean stopped just short of them, lowering Julie a little so her mother could take her hand. Julie clutched Tabitha's fingers tight, crying through her relief.
Dean shifted Julie in his arms while Tabitha held tightly to her daughter's hand. His jaw tightened as he finally spoke.
"I'm sorry to break this up," he said, voice strained. "But my arms are about to give out."
Tabitha's eyes widened as she noticed Dean's trembling hands.
Boyd stepped forward and suggested. "Put her on the porch," he said, pointing to a chair.
Dean carried Julie over and lowered her gently, making sure her injured leg was stretched out before stepping back. He flexed his hands, the relief clear on his face after carrying her so far.
Julie shifted in the chair with a wince. Then she looked at her mother. "Mom… where's Dad?"
The question froze Tabitha. Relief drained from her face, replaced by worry. She brushed Julie's hair back with a shaky hand.
"After you ran," she said softly, "your father fought the dogs off. We looked for you but couldn't find you anywhere. Then your dad decided to enter the same tree you had gone into. And when he stepped in… he vanished. Just like you did."
The porch fell quiet until Victor finally spoke. His voice was low but certain.
"It a Faraway Tree," he said.
Tabhita looked at him alert. "A what?"
Victor's eyes flicked to Dean, then back to Tabitha. "The tree isn't normal. It's one of the Faraway Trees. They move people. Drop them somewhere else in town. I don't knows how it works, but that's what they do."
Boyd's expression hardened. "And how do you know that?"
Victor shifted under Boyd's stare as he gave a short reply. "I've seen things. Stayed here the longest."
Julie's eyes turned toward Victor, wide and desperate. "So my dad's okay? He's still here?"
Victor nodded once and repeated again. "Yes. He could be dropped anywhere in town, just like you. We just have to wait. Maybe he'll come back to the town soon."
Victor's words hung in the air. No one spoke until Dean finally broke the silence.
"We don't have to just sit and wait," he said firmly. "Tabitha, you and Ethan stay with Julie. Kristi can treat her leg. Meanwhile, we'll go back into the forest. If Jim ended up like Julie, he might be stuck or hurt. He could be in trouble right now."
Tabitha's head snapped up. "Danger?" Her voice trembled. "What do you mean, dangerous?"
Julie quickly spoke before Dean could answer. "Mom… when it happened to me, I wasn't just dropped. I was falling. I hit branches. I hurt my leg. If I hadn't grabbed on, I could've fallen even farther. Dad could be the same."
Tabitha's face drained of color. She squeezed Julie's hand, her mouth opening but no words coming.
Dean leaned forward, his voice steady. "That's why we can't waste time. We should gather a few townsfolk and search the woods. If Jim comes back on his own, you'll be here waiting. But if he's still out there, he'll need help."
Boyd looked at Dean for a long moment before nodding slowly. Then he put a hand on Tabitha's shoulder and said, "He's right. We'll all help."
Tabitha hesitated. Her eyes darted between Dean, Boyd, and Julie. Finally, she brushed her daughter's hair back and whispered, "Alright. I'll stay with her. Just… please find him."
Dean gave a short nod. "We will."
Things had settled, but Dean felt something stir in his mind. A notification appeared—a new mission had been assigned. He opened it without wasting a moment.
××
Mission: Rescue Jim Matthews before his inevitable death.
Reward: 500 points
Time limit: 1 hour
××
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