Two years after Mum vanished, the hiker spots lumps on the tree

After two years of nightmares and therapy, he was ready to start anew. That was until he got that call one night. Miles was a quiet boy. He was an only child in a loving home. He had all the toys and books he wanted and often went to theme parks. Miles was eighteen when his world changed. His mum, a famous botanist, had a heart attack. He and his dad drove her to the ER. The doctor came out after a few hours. Miles's mum had diabetes, and high blood pressure caused the heart attack. The doctor said she'd be fine. He didn't know she'd disappear as she recovered. His dad said his mum was missing. Miles remembered him calling that evening to say she hadn't been seen for three days. The search lasted two years and found nothing. The police said she was last seen riding her bike in the forest. They promised to work on the case. But they didn't keep their promises. Nothing happened for two years. Miles and his dad moved to start a new life. They sold their house and moved on. Miles had therapy to help him cope. He was able to focus on his life again. But in his second year, he got a call that changed his life. Tim, a 24-year-old hiker, had been in the forest where Miles' mum's trial ended. After losing his mum to the same forest, he couldn't bear another teenager going through what he did. Miles didn't believe what was in store for him. Miles found Tim's information odd. While walking in the forest, the hiker found a regular tree. The tree held the key to finding Miles's mum. Tim looked at the tree closely and was amazed when it proved his theories. He took photos and rushed home, ready to solve the case. He found something amazing in the forest. The tree wasn't from the area, so someone had planted it. Tim hoped this person was Mile's mum. He found Miles on Facebook. After thinking it through, he sent the 20-year-old a message. Tim called, and Miles answered. He didn't tell his dad about his Florida trip. Miles and Tim went through the forest, up and down the hills. "We're here," Tim said, shining his light on the center of the clearing. The tree's leaves were wet, and it was younger and tamer. Miles knew what Tim meant. He swallowed, feeling his stomach heat up. One thing could explain what he saw. "This tree isn't from here," Miles said, and Tim agreed. He stepped closer and said, "Someone planted it recently." He pointed around the clearing. "Someone cleared all this." But his words froze when a figure appeared in the dark. "Mom?" he said. The woman came out of the forest and looked at Miles. Her hair was in loose braids, and her clothes were dated. She wasn't dirty or scratched. She seemed in control, unlike many others in her situation. "Miles?" she called, and Miles' heart pounded. He ran to her and hugged her. It was his mum. He couldn't believe he'd found her. The woman led them to another clearing. It was lit up with a log cabin in the middle. It was a hidden home. Two rooms were behind two doors. "Welcome home," said Miles' mum, going to the kitchen. "Why did you leave us?" Miles asked, feeling pain instead of relief. "We thought you were dead, mum." Tim left, his eyes tearful. She put her hands on her chest, her smile and eyes fading. "I had to," she said quietly. "I would've died if I stayed, Miles." "I needed to get away." "Couldn't you take us?" Miles barked. "We spent months looking for you. Why? Your dad and I fell out when you were young. She touched a scar on her arm. We seemed happy, but we weren't. "I would have died if I stayed," she said, but Miles didn't listen. I wanted to protect you. I didn't want you to hate your dad. Or mother. She took Miles' hand and said, "Some days, I wished I could tell you what I was planning." I thought about bringing you along for weeks. I couldn't do that to you. "You had your whole life ahead of you." She sat down, too. "You're grown now. I'll be honest with you. "I can tell you everything if you want."