In The Blink Of An Eye

Unexpected Call

I rush upstairs to the room as far away as I can from the rest of the group. Not because I was doing anything to harm them in any way, but I just didn't want them hearing the conversation I was about to have. As I begin to dial the number, I can feel my hands shaking. One, because I don't know what to say and two, because I know how the rest of the group, including Jake, is going to react. I press the dial, and with each ring of the phone, my heart races faster. The phone kept ringing with no answer, and just when I was about to hang up, I heard it.

"Well, I am surprised. I thought I would never hear from you again. What do I owe this call to?"

"Hey, sorry if I am bothering you. I know this is an unexpected call. I understand if you are busy or don't have the time. However, I do have a huge favor to ask you, and I would totally get it if you don't agree." "What's going on? How can I help? After all, I owe you a big one. You were the one who helped me out last time, and now it's my turn to return the favor."Listen, Phil... nobody can know about this. Including your sister. But I need you to deliver something to someone in jail. I know! That's the last place you ever want to be again, but I really need your help."

"This is about Jake, isn't it? I heard that he is locked up and that they are blaming him for Hannah's disappearance. That's ridiculous!!! He is the one who found her and got her out with the help of the rest of the group."

"That's exactly why you have to help me. We need to get him out. Now!!!"

"Okay, you got it. Just tell me what I have to do."

"Thank you, Phil. We will keep in touch, but remember this stays between us."

I hang up the phone and head downstairs when I see Jessy heading up. OMG! How long has she been there? Could she have heard?

"Hey, I got worried about you, so I was just coming up to check on you. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, sorry. I just called my parents to check in with them. I haven't really spoken to them since I landed here. And you know parents, they always have a hundred things to ask. Let's get back down."

After we go down and meet with the rest of the group, I tell them that I don't feel comfortable sending anybody to visit Jake.

"What do you mean? Why the sudden change of heart? I thought you needed someone to visit him?"

"Yes, I did, Lilly. But I changed my mind. I thought about it, and I don't feel comfortable putting anybody through that. Some of us are closer to Jake than others, but every single one of us here has already been affected enough by all this."

"Okay, so if we are not going to visit him, how do we get him out of there?"

"I'm not sure Richy. Honestly, I don't know. All I know is it can't be this way. I will think of some other way that won't be putting anybody else at risk of getting hurt in any kind of way. Look, guys, I'm sorry I brought you all here and that I put all of you in danger again, but I just can't do it. I care about Jake, and I want him out. But I care about you guys, too. I can't take the risk of hurting anybody else anymore."

"You're not hurting us or putting us in danger. We are here for you and Jake. We told you that we are here for you, no matter what."

"Thank you, Jess, I know, and I really appreciate it. Let's just take some time and think it all through before we rush and make mistakes that we are going to regret."

After spending some more time together and talking about things, we decided to head home. The whole ride home was so uncomfortable in a way I can't even explain. Not a single word was shared between Richy and I. But during the ride home, I decided to tell Richy he should leave and go back home. I already knew that he would get mad. I already knew that he wouldn't accept it, but I had made up my mind. Even if I had to lie to him, I was willing to do it to keep him safe. I would never allow myself to watch him get hurt again.