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I knocked again

When there was still no answer I opened the door Rose’s bed was e "She’s not there"

"Okay," Abby said "Because Corrine checked here about half an hour ago and Rose hadn’t returned yet, so she’s beco worried"

I reached forit around h the woods

"Where do you think she is?" Abby asked

"She’ll be on the island somewhere," I said confidently In fact, I knew exactly where to look

"I’lance "We were all worried about you"

"I’ain until we had exited the woods and arrived at the clearing by the Port

Abby was about to walk down to the Port’s control room to check for her there, but I shook my head

"She won’t be down there," I said

We walked along the beach together until the soft sand ended and we reached the foot of a cliff We both looked up at the lighthouse perched a the rocks

Our parents asked everyone to stay away from it, but I knew Rose still snuck up there when she was upset about so place--people stayed away from it out of respect for our parents

"Aha" Abby shthouse where candlelight flickered in the s "I should have thought to check here"

Abby and I climbed over the rocks until we reached the entrance at the base of the lighthouse We hurried up the steps toward the top I placedI pushed the door and it creaked open

A few candles had been lit in the corner of the rooainst her chest, sleeping in a fetal position

I bent down over her and touched her shoulder I was i to catch a cold if she stays in these clothes for ht one already

I brushed her hair away froh she appeared peaceful, so for her to fall asleep in this state Rose wasn’t normally careless like this

I leant down and kissed her forehead "Rose," I whispered, shaking her

Her eyelids flickered open and she looked up ather eyes

"Huh, where am I? What are you--" She sat up and looked around her, then sighed and buried her face in her hands