This is Nellie’s and Eli’s woods, and she’s convinced she’s the only person that could find Eli

Eli: I wandered through the woods for ages, and now I’m trapped in a hole in the ground under the brook!

Nellie: Eli? ELI??

Eli is missing. Nellie can’t believe it. One second, the house had felt warm and safe, a shelter from a hurricane. The next second, all she can see is the dark, scary outdoors, the rain coming down in sheets, and every rumble of thunder like a growl.

She pushes the back door open. “Eli?” she calls. There is no response. Instead, the wind just seems to shake the house more strongly. “Eli!”

There’s a flash of movement beside her, and Nellie turns around to see what it might be. For a moment, she’s sure that it must be Eli, safely home.

But it’s just Squizzle, chittering as he races past her. “Not you again,” Nellie groans. “I have bigger problems now.”

She wishes she’d never fought with Eli. Where had he gone when they’d started arguing? To the right, she remembers. Sometimes they take a shortcut home that way, but they’re usually careful about it. There’s no path there, and it’s easy to get turned around. Especially in the rain and the dark, like right now.

She could call someone for help. Half the town would join her to find Eli, she’s sure, even in a storm. But she doesn’t know how helpful anyone else could be. This is Nellie’s and Eli’s woods, and she’s convinced she’s the only person that could find Eli.

She will find her brother on her own.