I'm a Teenage Father (29)

                                    

                                          
I'm a Teenage Father
                          
[[29]]
                          
I didn't think I could go on like this. My parents chanted my name as I limped into the woods. The pain was unbearable but I numbed it out by thoughts of Zoey cold and alone. 
                          
I still walked and then soon, I fell down. I felt the stab of pain in my ankle. I bit my lip, and I tasted the blood. I groaned in pain and I tried to sit up. 
                          
"Dammit." I muttered.
                          
I grabbed a nearby branch and let it pull me up. I stood up and grabbed a walking stick. Man, I'm acting like an old man. I'm only 18!! Not 60!!
                          
I still walked and then I had to think of something other than my killer ankle. I had to inflict as much as any pain possible to get my daughter back. I wasn't gonna let her be alone another night. I needed her. She could be hurt and I'm not there. I don't think I can stand another minute of this!! Zoey needs to be by my side right now!! 
                          
I looked at the sky and it seemed to dim, a little. Zoey must be so scared and there is nothing I could do. What if I was looking in the wrong place? What if she happened to go in another direction? We all haven't seen her, in the North? What if she went the other way, somehow? I looked around me and chose right. I didn't go this way yet, it was east. She couldn't have gone South, she would have crossed camp, or the canyon. 
                          
I started limping even more, and I don't think I could numb the pain anymore. I just couldn't. I let it go and the pain came rushing to me. It was like a slap in the face. I groaned as my ankle throbbed. I had to sit down. All I could think of was Zoey. For some reason, this was like a memory. Like, the time Zoey was 3 and she was in the hospital for a very high fever.
                          
*Flashback*
                          
"Can't you do anything to make the fever go down?" I demanded.
                          
"She's already had Tylenol. That's all we can give her. It's best leaving her uncovered and a wet cloth over her head." The nurse said. Her name was called and she ran out the door as soon as she heard as for meeting in the ER. 
                          
I went to the side of the bed. Zoey's eyes were open, drowsily. Her hair was wet from sweat and she was shaking, showing she was cold. 
                          
"Z, everything is gonna be okay." I said.
                          
"Daddy, I go home!!" Zoey whined. Zoey squirmed in the bed but she was too weak to even lift her legs. I had to carry her here. 
                          
"Not until you cool off. Take a nap. Everything's gonna be okay. I'll be here for you. Always, Zoey." I whispered.
                          
"Daddy, I love you." Then Zoey went asleep. I kissed her forehead and then I walked out of the room for fresh air. 
                          
I slid down on the wall and I felt the pain. 
                          
*End of Flashback*
                          
It was the same. It was too familiar. I don't think I could take it anymore. I just needed to calm down myself. If I don't, I think I might start pulling my hair. I needed to find Zoey. She had to be around here somewhere. The forest rangers must've notified the whole damn country. They had to. I just hoped, she wasn't kidnapped or anything. 
                          
But, what about Darcy's warning? 
                          
Tori wasn't involved nor Kirk? Was it because Tori and Kirk will get me in trouble? I kinda had a feeling about it but I didn't think much of it. Zoey is in danger. Well, of course she is!!
                          
I was still walking east and haven't crossed anything yet. I saw few deer but they quickly ran away as they saw me. I wonder if I could speak deer. Impossible. My ankle pained as ever but I managed to numb it with my head again. It was like a screw going through my ankle. It was the most agonizing pain ever. But, it didn't compare to losing Zoey.