I said I would update sorry I didn't I'm moving to a new house so I'm preoccupied tho so enjoyyyyy.

"Neither Mike nor Jawa are answering," I reported to Erica, who had scavenged through the debris. The cooler had a couple of juice boxes and two apples. Mike's luggage had weapons and protein bars along with his clothes. I changed into his clothes as my very own were very dirty. Thankfully some of Zoe's jeans were in there so the women could change into them.

"Oh," Zoe was worried for Mike the same way I was worried for Erica. "He'll be okay, right?"

I nodded. I placed an arm on her shoulder.

"Civilization is close," Erica observed. "I can see the edge of this forest."

"Should we leave this rain forest and see any signs of human activity?" Zoe asked.

I nodded. "It's the best way."

Ie picked up the cooler, Mike's duffel bag and some fruits that Zoe had claimed had medicinal properties and set off in the direction of where Erica had seen the edge. All the while Erica led the way. Zoe was last. I was wedged in the middle of them. We trudged through thick bushes and trees and met many different creatures.

"A road!" Erica exclaimed, stopping so suddenly that I slammed into her. I peered over her shoulder to see and sure enough, there was a road with trees on either side. Zoe cheered and we made our way to the bottom.

"Let's start walking, and hopefully someone will give us a lift," I suggested, and we started walking. Every now and then a car would pass by, but no one stopped. Erica grew more and more frustrated with each passing car.

After about an hour we reached a rest area where there were bathrooms, ATM machines, vending machines and drinking water. We all headed to the restrooms to freshen up. I got some cash from the ATM and filled up two water bottles with drinking water, then placed them in the cooler. Zoe and Erica also exited the restrooms, looking fresh, Zoe looked a little too happy.
"Guess what," she said. "Our ride."

She held car keys in her hand. I gasped at her astonished.

"You stole a person's car keys?"

"No, silly," Zoe said. "The whole bathroom was empty, yet there were car keys on the bench."

She pointed to an SUV. We headed there, piled our stuff into the van then climbed in. Erica stayed in the back, where she stretched and slept across the seats. Zoe slept in the middle three seats while I drove. The large seven seater van was perfect for all of us.

I drove past farms, forests and plains, but no civilization was close by, save for the few farm houses and homes every now and then. After what seemed like forever, I finally got to the highway where hundreds of vehicles were alongside us. I kept looking for the sign that said lodging, food or gas. About fifteen minutes later there was a signboard that said that there was a gas station and a couple of restaurants nearby. I took that exit and we headed to the gas station.

"Zoe, Erica, wake up," I said softly, rousing them. They both yawned and woke up, then took in their surroundings.

"Is there food nearby?" Erica asked. I nodded and pointed to the food mart in the gas station. She and Zoe got off to get some food. I filled the tank up, then waited for them to come back when my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID.

Catherine Hale.

"Hello?" I asked, pressing my phone to my ear.

"Benjamin!" she cried. "Where are you, what is wrong?"

I told her everything, starting from the men in the house threatening Alexander to us coming to a gas station. She silently took in everything.

"Wow, Ben," she said finally. "You have no idea where Mike and Jawa are?"

I sighed. "Unfortunately, no. Our plane crashed and broke off, sending all of us in completely different directions."

Catherine wished us all the best, then asked for our location before hanging up. I set the phone just as Erica and Zoe returned with food. They got in and I resumed driving.

"There should be lodging here somewhere," Zoe said.

"Maybe we should get back on the highway, then search," Erica suggested, so I got back on the highway.

"There! There's a motel nearby," Zoe said about seven minutes later. I took that exit and headed to the motel.

It was a small motel with a nice parking area. Zoe went in to check us a room while Erica and I grabbed the food and luggage.

"I got us a two bedroom with a pull-out couch," Zoe said. "That's their biggest room available."

We headed to the room and opened it. For a small hotel the room was actually really comfortable and warm with curtains, two beds and a small pullout sofa.

"I can barely keep my eyes open at all," Zoe said, crashing onto the bed. Erica hugged me good night and fell fast asleep on the other bed. I turned off the lights then pulled out of the bottom of the couch before getting under the soft blanket. I could hear Erica snoring softly. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, but I just couldn't.

I tried to calm myself, but my mind was racing. I was so occupied. I made a mental list of everything that happened to me so far. I had met a long lost friend, learned new information, flown on a plane that crashed and found my way to a motel.

I got out of bed and went to the little balcony attached to our room. The cold breeze sent chills down my spine. The month of February with my favorite because of Valentine's Day and Erica's birthday. (Just go along with it. I really don't know when her birthday is)

"Can't sleep?" came a voice from behind me. I spun around. Erica joined me on the balcony and stared out into the starry night.

"Yeah, I have too many things in my head," I replied. She laced her fingers in mine and smiled.

"I know you're worried for Mike and Jawa," she said, "but you need sleep. We'll search for them first thing in the morning."

I took both her hands in mine and looked into her bright blue eyes. "We've been through a lot this month."

"Yes," she agreed. "But this is no time to ponder over them."

"Ben, you're the best. You always warm me," she said with a warm smile.

We headed back inside. The time was 1 a.m. on the 14th of February.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Erica", I said.

"I love you, Ben."

ENJOY! Will update on Friday probably.