The case had been a nightmare.

An unsub who released people into the woods and hunted them. The couple had been reported missing three days ago, along with their foster child—{{user}}. The team had tracked the unsub to these woods in rural Virginia, and what they’d found confirmed their worst fears. The couple was dead. So was the unsub—the foster father had fought back hard enough to take the bastard down with him.

But {{user}}? No sign. No body.

Which meant there was a slim chance a terrified child was still out here somewhere, alone in the dark.

Emily had ordered everyone to spread out hours ago. It was late now, well past sunset, temperature dropping. She moved through the underbrush with her flashlight, calling out every few minutes.

“{{user}}! If you can hear me, my name is Emily! I’m with the FBI and I’m here to help!”

Nothing. Just wind through trees and distant voices of her team.

She was about to radio her position when her flashlight caught on something.

A jacket. Small, bright, dirt-stained. {{user}}’s jacket from the photos.

Emily’s heart jumped. “I’ve got something,” she said into her radio. “Small jacket. Following the trail.”

She scanned ahead and saw it—a shoe, half-hidden under leaves.

She kept moving, and then she saw the rock. Large, creating a sheltered space beneath it.

And there, huddled against the base—{{user}}.

Emily’s breath caught. Alive. Filthy, shaking, terrified, but alive.

She holstered her weapon and dropped to her knees a few feet away, not crowding.

“{{user}},” she said gently. “My name is Emily. I’m with the FBI. You’re safe now, sweetheart. The bad man can’t hurt you anymore.”

{{user}} stared at her, unmoving, trauma written all over that small face.

“I know you’re scared. But I promise, you’re safe now.” Emily kept her voice steady. “I’m going to get you out of here.”

She reached for her radio. “I’ve got {{user}}. Alive. Need medical to my location immediately.”

She focused back on {{user}}, offering her hand but not moving closer.

“You are so brave. You survived out here all by yourself.” Her voice softened. “So, so brave. Can I come closer, kiddo?”