Something About Us

Chapter 9: Where Are We?

   Beck bites his lip. I mentally review our situation. Less than 24 hours ago Beck and I were at school arguing. This is all wrong. My parents going missing and becoming friends with Beck and trusting the officials. To top it all off, we were chased by an anonymous plane that we never saw and we are now in the process of being kidnapped. 

   I do not have anything in my bag that will be of much help to us. I am not going to ask Beck what he packed. Too risky. I wonder what is going to happen to everyone else. Are they also being kidnapped? We may not survive long enough to find out. 

   A lock of my dark hair falls from my high ponytail. Beck brushes it back for me. His fingers lightly brush against my face.  I feel my face redden. "Wow. Thanks, Beck I really need help brushing hair out of my face." I snap, trying to recover. I hope he didn't notice me blush.  The car's speed remains steady and I know that I need to resume thinking about a plan. "Ouch. Okay. Remind me to never be nice to you again." Beck says, but is smiling knowingly at me. Fantastic. 

   I need to think of a plan now. I have wasted way too much time talking to Beck. If only I had a better idea of where we are. The car jerks to a halt and I know that we have reached our destination. 

   I find it strange that they did not drug us or blindfold us or impair us in any way. Could we not be being kidnapped? The door swings opened and two people are standing outside. Their expressions are neutral. We are parked in front of a large building in the middle of a forest. 

   "Step out of the car. Do not even try to scream because we are far away from everyone else. Bolting will not be an effective way either. You will be caught and trust me when I say there will be severe consequences." One of the people says. 

   "Alright." I say. "Beck, let's go." Beck is eyeing them warily and they look surprised at my willingness to go with them. "Now, we just need to put a tracker on each of your wrists. I am sorry we have to do this. It is protocol. I can already tell that you guys will not be any problem at all." 

   I finger the pocketknife in my sleeve. No problem at all is right. I give Beck's hand a squeeze. Maybe that will give him a hint that I have a plan? It better. I extend my wrist out to get the bracelet on. My other hand is closed over the blade of the pocketknife. Just as our kidnapper is about to put the tracker on me, I stab him in the stomach with my pocketknife. It is not fatal, but defiantly provides shock effect. 

   He gasps. Beck throws a punch at the other kidnapper. We take this chance to run. Beck is right next to me. I know this is a flimsy plan. However, it's something. I know that we only have seconds of a head start and that backup is already being called. Beck's breathing is steady and he is keeping up with me as we run through the forest. Impressive. 

   I hear sounds of cars. Did they lie to us about being so far away from everyone? Probably. We have been running for some time now. I hope they are not pursuing us in cars now. We reach a road. It is moderately busy. At least it is not a highway, is the last thought that enters my mind before we start dodging cars. 

   I just about make it across the street when I hear a yelp behind me. A car swerves out of control and hits a tree. I see Beck lying in the middle of the street. All the cars stop. People look worried. Some are dialing numbers on their phones. Others start to get out of their cars. 

   I dart back over to Beck. "Beck are you okay? I know you are not great but can you walk?" No response. Great. I grab his wrist and check for a pulse. It's my fault if he dies. I feel a weak pulse. I am 5'7'' but Beck must be 6'1" or 6'2". He is heavier than I am as well. I do not want to drag him but I do not see any other way. We have to leave. Now. We can't be caught by our kidnappers again. 

   I manage to drag him to the side of the road, out of the way of cars. I sit down next to him and shake his shoulders gently. "Beck? Beck?" I become more frantic. "Beck? Come on! Beck?!" I take a deep breath and slap him across the face. "Why?" Beck grumbles. A relieved smile spreads across my face. "Beck. You have just been hit by a car. Can you walk?" 

   "I'm... I'm not sure." Beck's light brown eyes are filled with pain as he looks up at me. "Here, I'll help you." I stand up and extend a hand to him. Beck grabs my hand and slowly stands up. We hear shouts coming closer. "We better go." I tell Beck. "Lean on me for support. Put your arm around my shoulder." Beck does as told and we start walking, very, very slowly. 

   Beck is limping badly and he is putting much of his weight on me. Officials finally catch up with us. Wait, what? "I think that there has been a misunderstanding. Perhaps you thought that you were being kidnapped. However, you were being taken to the right place. I must say, no one tried to escape. Interesting." The familiar gruff official tells us. 

   It was a test, the whole thing with being chased by an unidentified aircraft and then the emergency landing. It was all just a test. They must have wanted us to feel like we were being kidnapped just like our parents were.

   Maybe we need to know what it feels like to greater understand what they went through and how to find them? I am not sure. "Were you testing us?" I ask angrily. "Well. Looks like we have a smart one here." The same gruff official says. The officials laugh. "Right now I think that your friend here needs medical attention. We should also probably work on trying to find the people who took your parents."  

   Beck grumbles something and is narrowing his eyes at them. " You should get your leg looked at, Beck. " I hug him tightly. He winces but embraces me back. "I am so sorry." I tell him sincerely meaning it. "It's alright. It's not your fault." 

   "We should be getting back to the building now. Come on, now." The officials put Beck's tracker bracelet on and I reluctantly let them put mine on. We are being pushed forward by the crowd and I know that there is no escape.

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Thanks for reading chapter 9! I hope you liked it. Feel free to comment! Have an amazing day! I will update soon. 

-Rainbowpuff2022