Sarah backed away, wide eyed. Mr. S was dying. Looking at him now, she realized she could just leave him. He was weak. She could go now, with the promise of coming back, and leave him to wither away.<br/><br/>Cold.<br/><br/>Alone.<br/><br/>Maybe evenâ€¦afraid.<br/><br/>She couldnâ€™t do this. She couldnâ€™t just leave him here to die. He had saved her, after all, hadnâ€™t he? Now was the time to return the favor. â€œIâ€™ll be back Mr. S, I promise. Iâ€™ll take care of you. Go. Go home. Iâ€™ll be there soon.â€ She turned and ran, splashing through the mud. His form grew darker and darker behind her, until he was just one of the many trees she was flying by. When she abruptly crossed the invisible line between the Stretched Woods and the rest of the world, his roaring ceased, and she was once more tangled up in the undergrowth.<br/><br/>As Sarah stumbled out back into the park, she collapsed onto the wet grass, panting heavily. She could change her mind, she knew that. She was away from his home, away from his territory, and he was too weak to give chase. Besides, who in their right mind would go out in the middle of the night for a walk in the woods in the rain?<br/><br/>â€œThe home.â€ She whispered, sitting up and then scrambling to her feet. She had friends in the group home. Somebody would come with her. It wasnâ€™t far from here. She took off running once again.<br/><br/>***<br/><br/>Sarah climbed over the low fence and went around back to where everyone slept.  She tapped on the window with the old code, the way they used to.  Instantly, her old friend Alexis peeked out the window.  She stared at Sarah wide-eyed as Sarah motioned for her to come around out to the front.  Alexis nodded once and scurried away.<br/>â€œWhat the hell are you doing here?  In this weather? Jeez, youâ€™re soaked.  What happened?â€ Alexis whispered as she closed the front door quietly behind her.<br/><br/>â€œI canâ€™t explain.  Please, just come.  You have to see it for yourself!â€<br/><br/>â€œYouâ€™ve gone totally crazy.â€<br/><br/>â€œIâ€™m serious! Please, just trust me!â€<br/><br/>***<br/>â€œItâ€™s in there.â€ Sarah said, pointing at the metal tunnel.