Wars and Lies

Chapter Four

It's been two months since the kidnap of Mr Jackson and it has only gotten worse. There's been fourteen more. Philip finally had to tell people what's been going on and what really happened to Mr Jackson. People went into a panic but my dad managed to calm them down. He said he's on top of finding out who's responsible and promises to bring everyone home safe. I don't think he'll be able to keep his promise. No clues have been found and my dad's still no closer to figuring out who's behind this. The only link between all the victims is they're male. The tribe and surrounding areas have been searched but nothing's been found. We know they must be somewhere close as people and loads of supplies are still going missing. It's like they appear then vanish without a trace. With every kidnap, people get more panicked. Before long, people will become so over worried that Philip and my dad won't be able to keep the peace. When people get scared, they don't think straight and do stupid things and people get hurt. If things don't get figured out soon then who knows how bad it'll get.

I woke up to the sound of children laughing as they ran past my house. I hate how thin and poorly made these walls are. I slowly got out of bed and made my way over to Ashton's bed to wake him up. Ashton is the worst morning person. He's grouchy when he first wakes up. "Wakey wakey sleepy head," I said as I pulled Ash's blanket off.

"Bug off. It's Saturday." Ashton moaned.

"But I'm hungry and bored so time to get up." I stated as I tried dragging him off the bed.

"You're so annoying."

"You still love me." I laughed.

"You sure?" He said laughing as he pushed me back causing me to fall on my butt. "You okay?"

I didn't answer and grabbed Ashton's jumpers that's on the floor and threw it at him, "get dressed you douche I'm hungry." Whereas I like to keep my room tidy, Ash is on the messier side, he hates mess but hates putting away clothes which is why they're all over the floor.

We got dressed and headed into the kitchen. It's a chill day so Ashton's wearing jeans and a t-shirt and I'm wearing leggings and an oversize jumper. Weirdly my parents aren't there. My dad doesn't have to be at work until mid-day and my mum doesn't have work on weekends, she looks after the elderly. "Mum?" I shouted but got no response. "Mum!" I shouted even louder but still got no response. I ran around the house looking for them. Where are they? I got really panicked. Have they been taken? I can't breathe. My chest feels really tight. What if I never get to see them again?

"Katie, calm down. I've found them, they're out front." Ash shouted as he headed out. I calmed myself down and ran after him. Stood outside is my mum and dad talking to some guards. The guards don't look happy and neither do my parents, they also look worried and scared. "Who was taken Mr Wright?" Ashton asked.

"I think you two should go see Emily and Stephanie." We immediately ran out the garden and down the road. Emily and Stephanie don't live far from me and live next door to each other.

We reached Emily's house. "Mrs Fisher?" I calmly said as I slowly opened the front door.

"Come in dearie," Emily's mum said. Em, her mum, Steph and her mum are sat at the table crying.

"My condolences" Ashton added. We sat down at the table. Emily is really close to her father whereas Stephanie isn't as close as her parents aren't together, only live together, but they both show the same amount of pain in their eyes. "What happened?" Ashton asked.

"We were sat in the kitchen playing cards, like we do every Friday night, when we heard someone out front. With all the kidnappings, dad sent us to hide. He grabbed his knife and went to take a look. He never came back." Emily stated.

We turned to Stephanie. "We went to bed as usual. Mum was in her room; I was in mine and dad was asleep in the sleeping bag in the kitchen. We woke up this morning and he was gone along with most of our food."

"I'm so sorry this happened. My dad and all the guards are doing everything they can and won't rest until everyone is home safe."

Suddenly, Mrs Fisher, the kind, sweet lady I've known for years, snapped "then where is my husband? Where is Emily's dad? It's fine for you your dad's fine. Your dad's supposed to keep everyone safe but clearly can't do his job properly."

"Mum!" Emily shouted.

"I think it's best we leave," Ashton said as he pulled me up.

I nodded and followed him. Just before I left, I turned and said, "I really am sorry."

I stayed silent the whole way home. I'm angry. Angry at my dad. I went into the kitchen and there sat my dad going through some files. "Shouldn't you be out looking for Em and Steph's dads?" I asked.

"I'm going over each kidnapping to see if there's anything I've missed. How are they?"

"Broken."

"I'll go see them later and give my condolences."

"Or you could do your job and find the missing people?"

"Katie I'm doing everything I can. All the guards are."

"Are you though?" I shouted, angry.

"Yes. I'm doing the best I can."

"If you were doing your job then all the missing men would be here. You would've kept everyone safe. Mrs Jackson would be able to sleep instead of having night terrors. This is your fault." I screamed as I stormed out the house and ran off as fast as I could. My dad shouted after me but I didn't want to look at his face. I didn't look back. I want to be as far away from his as possible.