Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
" Unfair, unfair, unfair, unfair "
Unfair, the Neighborhood
He let the phone ring for what had felt like an eternity before putting the black phone to his ear with a steadily, shaking hand. "Finney" he had felt goosebumps run through his body while dropping the phone from his already shaking hand as he backed up towards the wall behind him. Making the phone ring again. He slowly walked up towards the phone again. "Please don't hang up" "I won't. Who is it?" "I don't remember my name. I haven't been called my real name since I was abducted" "why not?" "It's the first thing you lose. I haven't been called that by the others." "the first thing you lose when?" "you know when..." "how do you know my name?" "We were friends. You told me once to not fight your battles for you"
"Jacqueline..., Jackie?" "ya, Jacqueline, or Jo, J, Queli, and Jackie." I laughed "it's good to hear my name again, Finney" he laughed sadly. "Did the phone ring for you?" "No, Finney. Just you, Billy, and Griffin heard it. The Grabber hears it too. He just pretends he doesn't."
"why'd you call?" "Because I was the first and you will be the last. I'm glad you're going to be the last Finn. It's becoming harder for me to stay on. Promise me something Finney?" "Anything, Jackie" "don't do anything till you hear a call. I love you, Finney" I stare at the boy I once saw full of life now scared of becoming one of us. "I promise. With all my heart, Jackie. Forever and always." "forever and always, Finney." His eyes filled with fear and sadness.
I felt useless to him to all of them, but I had to stay strong. We all did for Finney, so he could live. To end this all. Finney did just as I asked. He did nothing but think and pace the cold and empty room. "Does anyone feel strong enough to call?" we were all scattered in the basement. "I think so, I don't remember that much though" "that's ok, Brucey" I smiled at him and the rest.
I looked at all the kids around me. We were all dead. As I looked at all of them, I thought of all the things we'd never do. How we never finished school or went to college. Found ourselves, have families, and chase our dreams or live. I thought about that the most while being here. Finney stopped pacing and went to sleep for what little he could.
I had hope for once in a long time. I had a feeling that it would be different with Finney. I think the others felt it too. "I think we're going to be alright," I told them. "I think your right, Queli" Billy was next to me, he usually was. I think I was the closest to him. In life and death. I put my head on his shoulder. I use to do that a lot when I was alive. I guess old habits die hard.
