Two Years Later: Hiker Discovers Strange Protuberances on Tree, Following Mother’s Disappearance

An Opportunity A hiker from Florida called Miles McCarthy after finding lumps on a tree in the forest. Since his mom disappeared without a trace two years ago, he had not heard from her. He felt an urge to investigate deep down. His mother's disappearance could be solved with the lumps on the tree, he realized as he approached the scene. This was an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss. Pouring Rain Pexels As he pursued the hiker deeper into the forest, his heartbeat dribbled in his ears. He was drenched in sweat despite a cold wind and it having just rained. Under his frantic footsteps, wet leaves squelched. The truth was finally within reach after two years of searching. There was a dark trail in front of him, but he didn't know what he would find. Things Were Perfect Pexels Miles McCarthy was finding his way in life as a young twenty-something in the midst of a challenging month. In the middle of a two-year nightmare and frequent sessions with a therapist, he finally found a place where he could start over. Until the fateful night when he got that call. A Loving Home Pexels Miles was a quiet boy from a young age. Having grown up with loving parents, he never wanted for anything. Many of the toys and books he wished for were his, and he visited theme parks most people only dream about. His parents' undying love was more precious to Miles than any gift or trip. There was no indication that he was approaching the terrible end. The Good Life Pexels A part of Mile's life that he enjoyed the most was living in Florida. A bright morning, a rainy evening, and the beach were all to his liking. Since he excelled academically and in sports at the high school he attended, it was a perfect fit for him. Unaware that everything was about to crumble around him, he was living the dream. The Doctor Pexels During his eighteenth year, Miles' world turned upside down. A heart attack struck his mother, a botanist and best friend. She was taken to the emergency room by him and his dad. It took the doctor a few hours to present his findings. Diabetes spiked Mile's mom's blood pressure, resulting in her heart attack. There was no need to worry, the doctor assured her. The journey she took back to health didn't reveal that she would eventually disappear. A Different Person Pexels A sudden change in Miles' life changed everything. Mom was suddenly different from the ray of sunshine she had always been. Her only outings were to eat, use the bathroom, or kiss him goodnight. She would spend hours locked in her room. However, Mile's nightmares did not end there. Obsession Pexels It was his dad's goal to make her thaw back to herself as soon as possible. Her identity seemed to have been utterly transformed by the doctor's diagnosis. After Miles' father became obsessed with her situation, he left Miles to fend for himself despite being only a teenager at the time. After a while, he began to feel alone in a packed house. All Alone Regardless of what was going on in his family, Miles was confident that they could work it out. The two of them had always had their problems, but none had split them so deeply as this one. Suddenly, his father reported his mother missing. It was that evening that Miles remembered him calling, explaining that she had not been seen for three days. Although the terrible end was not yet here, it was just a matter of time. Unbelievable Pexels Despite a two-year search, nothing was found. It was tough for Miles to endure those months, as he could not comprehend why anyone would hurt a sick person. She loved riding her bike in the local forest, where the authorities say she was last seen riding her bike. All their efforts would be devoted to the case. However, their promises were soon broken. Searching Everywhere Pexels There was no significant progress made by county authorities in finding Miles' mother. During the labyrinthine forest, she had lost track of her way. Several K9 teams and helicopters were sent out as part of the search. It was even possible to lend a hand by civilian volunteers. Despite their efforts, they would be unable to find anything. It Didn’t Make Sense Pexels It was determined that the case was cold by the authorities. It was impossible to comprehend how a middle-aged woman lost her way in a forest she knew well. Throughout the case, nothing made sense. It was urged that Miles and his dad continue their lives, and it was promised that a case would be opened if anything went wrong. Starting Fresh Pexels A year and a half passed without anything happening. A new start was sought by Miles and his dad by moving to a new state. The couple put their house on the market and moved on despite the heartbreak. For Miles to cope with everything, he underwent a series of therapy sessions. After a while, he was able to regain his focus. A call changed his life forever during his sophomore year. Tim Pexels An experienced hiker named Tim, who was twenty-four years old, had been frequenting Miles' mom's old trail. After losing his own mother five years prior to the same forest, he could not bear to think of another teenager going through the same thing. There was a surprise in store for Miles that he wouldn't believe. What Did He Find? Pexels Miles initially found Tim's information strange. An intrepid hiker encountered a tree in the forest that seemed normal at first glance. In such a remote location, he never expected to find something like it in such deep growth. It was evident from the tree that Mile's mother could be found there. On The Way Home Pexels A gasp escaped Tim's lips when the tree affirmed his theories. As he rushed home, he took a few pictures of it, ready to throw this case wide open. The first place he went to report the incident was the local police station. However, the officers were not impressed with his findings. A two-year-old case seems impossible for a tree species to crack. He Needed The Help Pexels As Tim realized that he needed more immediate assistance, he drove to McCarthy's old house. Despite knowing they'd moved, he couldn't figure out where. His neighbor may be able to help him get in touch with them. They had relocated north, he learned from their immediate neighbor, an eighty-year-old woman. Her best guess was that they were in New York or Pennsylvania, although she was unsure exactly where they were. It was a difficult time for Tim. His Understanding Pexels It had been Tim's understanding that the McCarthys had moved towns or counties. The hope he once had shriveled when he learned they had moved across state lines. Having experienced what Miles had been through, he wanted to save him. Due to the closure, he would find within that forest, he had hoped to give him a better chance at life. Despite living so far away from Miles and his dad, what could he do? Finding Them Pexels Amidst his search for Miles McCarthy on social media, Tim took to the Internet. Due to the fact that he didn't know Miles personally, he cross-matched his photos with those of local teenagers who knew him. The process of tracking Miles on Facebook took him a while. It took him hours to come up with an idea, so he sent the twenty-year-old a message. Waiting Patiently Pexels The message was still unopened, so Tim paced around until Miles opened it. As dangerous as it was to open old wounds like this, he knew what he was doing. Nevertheless, he would do anything to prevent Miles from experiencing what he did, as he was already in too deep. Miles opened the message with bated breath. However, there was no response. With frustration welling within, he decided to do the unexpected. Feeling Tired Pexels The call was answered by Miles when Tim pressed the call button on the Messenger tab. Twenty-year-old Tim began by calling out the twenty-year-old for making fun of him. His mother was mocked by different people on a monthly basis by different people. He was assured by Tim that he didn't belong to that category. This could be the beginning of the cold case's rebirth. Opening Old Wounds Pexels Miles felt his heart thumping. The bitter feelings he had been fighting in therapy resurfaced with a vengeance in his veins. Desperately awaiting the truth, there was fear, pain, anxiety, helplessness, and crippling desperation. In response to Tim's request, Miles agreed to fly down to Florida with him to search out the forest. The Beginning The two trudged through muddy forest trails in pounding Florida rain with camping and trekking gear in tow. It had never happened to Miles before that he was so dedicated to finding something in life. His Florida trip wasn't even mentioned to his dad. The only thing he told him was that he was visiting old high school friends he hadn't seen in two years. He was about to get into serious trouble because of his lies. Taking It A Step Further Pexels As Miles and Tim climbed up and down the hills, they cut through the dense forest. As Miles explained how the police had searched this area for months past, Tim asked him why he was so certain that a tree would lead them to the truth. In reply, Tim only smiled and said, "You'll see for yourself." Miles trusted him because he seemed confident and knowledgeable about the area. The dark trail seemed to lead nowhere, and he had no idea what awaited him there. The Forest Pexels The path led Miles and Tim into the forest's valley, a seemingly endless green leafy basin. Now that the storm clouds had dissipated, the sun was hidden behind dark orange clouds in the sky. The two discussed how Tim's mother had been killed by the forest, and Tim understood precisely what Miles was going through. The case of his mom was never resolved, though, wasn't it? The Truth Pexels The authorities finally closed the case after five years, he explained with a sad smile. Among the untamed growth, they found Tim's mom's body. Although Tim's mom had been missing for five years, the body was only six months old. She must have searched for a way home for four and a half years before dying from hunger, thirst, or the elements. Nothing seemed to make sense, like Mile's mother's case. Revelations Pexels Miles realized he wasn't alone after hearing Tim's story. The revelation, however, crushed him as well. It was too late for Tim's mom to return home. The pain of that was well understood by Miles. His pace quickened as he wiped away a tear. In order to find peace of mind, he only needed some time. Getting to Miles' mysterious tree was the only way he would accomplish this. No Stopping Now Pexels Through countless trees, the two men cut their way into the valley. With the sun fully set, they were forced to traverse the terrain with flashlights. Rather than pitching their camp on flat ground, Tim suggested finding elevated ground. The anxiety Miles felt, and the need to find the truth prevented him from resting for ten minutes. The truth was so close to him that he could almost taste it. Keep Going Pexels "We continue," he said enthusiastically, walking on even as Tim warned against trekking at night. "The forest is dangerous at nighttime," he said, but Miles didn't seem to care. As he saw this as a losing battle, Tim continued on his journey. They reached a clearing within a short time. Miles was stopped when he placed a hand on his shoulder. The Destination Pexels "We're here," Tim said and flashed his light at the center of the clearing. Before them, there gleamed the wet leaves of the tree in question. It was younger than the growth around, tamer. One look at it and Miles knew precisely what Tim had meant by "You'll see for yourself." He ate back a cry, his stomach heating. Only one thing could explain what he was looking at. Who Planted It? Pexels "This tree isn't indigenous to this place," Miles croaked, and Tim exclaimed a loud "Yes!" He stepped closer and added, "Someone planted it, and recently, too." He pointed around the circular clearing. "All of this, someone cleared all of this." "It must've been my mom," Miles wanted to say, remembering his mother was a botanist with an undying love for plant life. Suddenly, a figure materialized from the darkness and locked eyes with Miles. Her hair was a matted mess in loose braids, and her clothes were a bit dated. But she wasn't covered in dirt or scratches. He tore forward, hugging the woman tightly. It was his mom, and he couldn't believe he'd found her. Taking Miles' hand, she asked if they wanted to go to her place. And her place didn't look like a shelter for someone trying to survive after getting lost in a forest. It was the home of someone trying to keep a low profile. "Why did you leave us," Miles asked, "We thought you were dead, Mom." "I had to," she said in a low tone,"I would've died if I stayed, Miles. I needed to get away." "You're a grown man now. And you have no idea how happy I am to see you. But I'll level with you. Your dad and I had a falling out when you were young." She ran a hand along a scar on her arm. "We might've seemed like a happy couple, but we weren't. I would have died if I stayed," she said. "Not everything is bright and beautiful," Miles' mom said. "The real world is full of pain and disappointments. I wanted to protect you from that. I didn't want a son who grew up hating his father or mother." Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

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