What would happen to me if we can’t find her, I thought. Surely I wouldn’t go to jail… right? Only for losing a little sister? I remembered how eagerly I brought Molly to the swamps, in anticipation of meeting my own friends…

Nighttime was my favorite time, and the muddy swamps were my favorite place. Naturally, I took every opportunity to get to the swamps at night, even if I wasn’t allowed to.

This night, I was supposed to be babysitting my baby sister, Molly. Of course, this was also the night all of my friends were able to meet at our special place, the swamps. No sports practices or other engagements. Knowing I couldn’t leave Molly behind, I asked her if she wanted to go exploring with her own big brother.

“Will we get to discover lost treasure, or find a unicorn?” asked Molly, her warm, brown eyes wide with anticipation. She rambled on, letting her imagination spark new ideas in her precocious head. She was tightly holding on to my hand as I led her to the swamps.

I forgot all about Molly the second I saw my friends. We went back to doing the things we always did; climbing fallen trunks, jumping over muddy land, and seeing who could make the biggest splash by jumping in a puddle. I faintly remembered a soft voice humming something about ponies.

Suddenly, I heard my best friend, Kyle, shout, “Your sister did have a rainbow headband, right?” I didn’t answer, and could hear my heartbeat as I sprinted toward Kyle.

“Well I found it… under Uncle Oak… and that leads…” Kyle trailed, not able to finish the sentence. I knew what it meant. Uncle Oak was the big oak trunk that had fallen before I could remember. And it led to the deepest part of the swamps, parts not even my friends had ever traveled to.