It's Cold - Chuck Steinberg x OC

4: Auggie

Hearing the tone of Stella's voice, I looked over at my walkie talkie unsettled. I grasped it and held it tight in my hand. Should I say something? Stella wasn't addressing me so I think it's best I just listen for a while. 

"Auggie, pick up!" Stella cried out once again. 

I anxiously sat there waiting for Auggie to say anything. The walkie talkie let out a buzz. 

"Hey I'm eating." Auggie said blatantly. 

I let a sigh of relief out. Well whatever's going on, at least he's okay. 

"Auggie!" Stella cried once again, making me confused. 

"Stella!" Auggie replied in a mocking tone. 

"Auggie, do not eat anything." Stella replied hastily. 

What? Stella's acting super weird. At least that Ramone guy left this morning, so he's not involved. 

"Listen, you're in the next story." Stella said "Whatever you do, do not eat anything." 

The next story? What's she-           ... 

Sarah Bellow's book? Stella's still on that? Nothing happened. Something's definitely off about Tommy, but there's no way it's connected. Just some freak coincidence. 

There was a short silence as I let my thoughts consume me. I debated on saying something when it buzzed again. 

"Har-har. Very funny." Auggie said, thinking it was a prank. "Did Chuck put you up to this?" 

"Auggie, this isn't a joke." A different voice said, surprising me. "Okay, the story is writing itself right now. I don't know how or why, but I'm reading it right here." 

Ramon. 

"A sound scared him. It was a voice. And it called out, 'Who took my toe?'" Ramon said. 

There was a pause, which I took as my chance to speak up. I pressed the button so I could talk. 

"You guys are sick." I said. "Stella, you've been my best friend since 6th grade, but this I just can't believe. You let a stranger sleep in your house, I don't care if he's nice or attractive or whatever it is you see in him! That's not safe, do you know how many weirdos are out there?" 

"Vee! I know that the situation from that perspective looks bad but you have to trust me! You live closer to Auggie than I do, I'm begging you. Whatever's happening, there's no way Auggie can fight it by himself." Stella argued. 

"Stella, I'm sorry, but I don't care. I won't- no I can't  trust you or Ramon. You met him last night! There were so many red flags: he was alone at a drive inn, he knows how to pick locks, and seemed super eager to get out of town today." I replied. 

"I know I seem untrustworthy, but this is real, I couldn't make this up if I tried, Vee." Ramon said. 

"Don't call me Vee." I snapped. 

"I agree with Vee." Auggie said. "I don't hear any voice other than you guys." 

"It's a corpse, looking for her missing toe." Ramon said to Auggie. 

Auggie stayed silent for a moment. 

"Yeah, I know this story. My dad used to tell me this story. It scared me so much as a kid, but... Am I not supposed to wait for someone to say that? Like I said, the only people talking are you guys." 

"Okay, so it's just some freaky coincidence like with Tommy. I still don't believe a word of it, and I'm done with this. I'll see you, Auggie and Stella, at Ruth's show tomorrow. Goodnight." I sighed