Forgotten Memories

Chapter 22: Dante's Call

-Luke-

"They told me to stay here, so I did. I found this phone in her bag, so I looked for games, but there's only a game called Bakery Story. I'm a boy, so I can't play that," he replies calmly.

I gape at the phone. "W-where's here?" I stammer. "Where are you located?"

I see Rue staring at me, but I hold my hand up again. I can't even think straight right now.

The kid on the line laughs. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that. Uncle Mark said not to. I know I know you, but still. My brother got in trouble for that earlier."

"Who's your brother?" I ask instead. The kid's smarter than I thought. Then again, he called a stranger. Well, I'm technically not a stranger, but-

"Wait wait wait," I reply quickly. "Did you just say uncle Mark?"

The kid pauses. "Yeah. Why?"

"No reason."

He pauses again, but this time I hear voices in the background. Shouting, I believe. "Whatever. I'm not supposed to have this phone out, but I found it in our picnic basket. I think my Alex was going to give it back to Aria for being a good girl. I don't know. Now they're just shouting and stuff, but I'm still looking for a game here."

I pale. Alex. Aria. "Kid, kid kid kid, listen to me, alright?"

"I'm already listening," he says, sounding confused.

"You're Alex's little brother Dante, I'm assuming. I remember you. I'm also guessing that you're with Aria and Alex. Please, please, please pass me to Aria right now. I just need to know she's okay. I just-" I have to pause to swallow hard, "I just need to hear her voice again."

He hesitates. "Uh, she's kinda busy right now. They've stopped shouting, but she's crying."

"Crying?" I whisper. What have they done to her, break her? "It's-it's okay. Just give the phone to Aria and distract Alex. I just need five seconds."

He pauses again. "Okay. But I'm going to get in so much trouble for this. . ."

I hear him walking for a second, and I almost die of anticipation. I'm finally going to hear from her.

Suddenly, I hear a shout of surprise and a loud splash. "Sorry Alex!" I hear Dante yell, then a soft thud as I'm guessing the phone lands into Aria's hand. My palms are sweating terribly. What if they did something to her? What is she doesn't-

"H-hello?"

The air whooshes out of my lungs. Her voice sounds shaky, but soft. It's reminds me of home. She is my home, and it's music to my ears. Oh, thank God.

"Aria?"

I hear a contained sob. "Luke?"

I sigh with relief. "Aria, oh my goodness. Are you okay? You have no idea how much sleep I've lost worrying about you. I can't believe I owe it to Dante. Thank him for me later."

Her soft laugh makes me smile. "Well, he did push Alex into the pool, so. . ."

"Hold on. Are you okay?"

There's a pause, but she speaks up, realizing I can't see her shake her head. "N-no, not really. Well, physically, yes. I'm okay. I don't know where I am though, so it's not like I can tell you. I didn't know Alex had my phone. . ."

I scowl. "It's okay. I'll do whatever it takes to find you again, Aria. I will find you. Never forget that. What I actually meant was, why are you crying? Did Alex do something?"