The Forgotten Ones

Chapter 3

Afterschool, I go for pizza to my favorite pizza place called Nino's Pizzeria. I walk up to the countet and order my classic which is Buffalo Chicken Pizza and a Mountain Dew.
After taking my seat, and waiting about half an hour, my order finally comes.
Halfway threw my pizza, I get a phonecall. Hello? I know the voice..its Jake. "Hey" I say. "Listen I dont have much time to talk so im gonna make this fast, he says, im in the hospital. I cant explain the details right now but please come as soon as you can. They are only allowing me to call on person at the time, and I chose you.
Startled by the sudden reaction, I hesitate" O-okay," I say," I promise I will be there as soon as possible."

I hang up the phone and scarf down my pizza as fast as I possibly can. I cant believe what is happening. What could have happened to Jake?

I quicky pay the bill, tip the waitor, and hurry into the car. Speeding down the highway, I come across the exit for Brookstone Hospital.

Appraching the front desk, I spot the receptionist. " What can I help you with" she asks raising her eyebrows. " Uhm I'm looking for Jake Ashton. Can you show me to his room?" After scrolling down on the computer she finds his room information. Sighing, she gets up and takes me to room 17, closing the door after I enter.

I'm quite nervous, as I turn to face him. I scan his face, which seems to be paler then usual. I then notice he has cuts all over himself and his right leg is wrapped in a cast. Im not gonna lie, he looks awful.

I go to his bedside and his eyes are glued to mine. "What happened?" I ask more scared than concerned.

Reluctantly, he begins to explain, "I was coming back from dinner last night, I felt that someone was following me but I wasn't quite sure. When I made a turn towards my car, it happened. This person in a black mask came up to me and started throwing punches. I tried fighting back, but he or she was just too good. I yelled and screamed but no one was around. Finally after punching me to the ground, the person left. Struggling to get up, I called 911" he says.

By this point, my eyes start to get teary.

He grabs my hand and wipes away my tears. "Im gonna be fine, I promise, it's just a few bruises and a broken leg." Ye- yeah your right. You will be. Do the police know who the person is yet?"

"No, but they're starting an investiagtion. Hopefully they will figure it out."

I lie down next to him and he puts his arm around my neck.

He begins to fall asleep after about 15 minutes and I'm left with my own thought.

Wait a minute. That stupid letter I got said that if I dont complete the task me or someone J deeply care about will get hurt. Does this mean its real, or just a coincidence?

After a while, I come to a conclusion.

I cant afford to wait and find out. I have to complete this task.

                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Waking up Saturday morning, I feel relieved I dont have to go to school.
Instead, I visit Jake again, to make sure everything is going well. We chat a bit, watch a few movies, and just try to make the best of the situation.

"Thanks for staying with me" Jake says. "Anytime" I say trying not to sound like Im madly in love with him.
I keep on smiling like an idiot and then finally he asks me a question.

"After I get out of here, do you maybe wanna go do something?" Inside Im bursting with joy but I try not to show it. Instead I reply with a simple "Sure."

After a while, I say my goodbyes to Jake, who tells me he will be back in school on Monday.

Getting in my car, I put in the navigation to go home. I make a few turns and enter the highway.

Finally, I am home where my mom greets me with a kiss and starts cooking dinner.

As I eat, I try and come up with a plan on how to complete my task.