I don’t even know how it happened.

One minute we were hiking the same path we hiked every Saturday afternoon, and the next she was gone.

It felt like I spent hours looking for her.

The sun started to fade, but I didn’t want to believe anything had happened to my friend.

I continued my search, and it felt like I had just been going in circles and then I saw it.

At first, I didn’t even know what I was seeing.

But it sure as hell didn’t look right.

It was light, and soft, not like the dark gravel and dry needles that covered our usual path.

As I drew closer, I knew my worst fears were about to come true.

It was my sister’s hand poking out through the pine needles.

But her finger nails were missing.

When did this even happen?

We were together, and then we weren’t.

And I suppose someone could’ve hurt her while I looked, but our path was a busy one and someone must’ve seen.

What the hell?

I just don’t even know.