Hide and Go Seek

17. Max

I feel a moment of weightlessness before the rope jerks my arms. The sudden weight loosens my grip on the rope making me fall, fast. Too fast to stop. I hear Alan scream. I scream. I hit the ground hard. My hands are burned and torn, the air is knocked from my lungs, I feel numb. But I run. I don't think, I drag myself off the ground, bruised and shaking, and just run.

I finally stop. I don't know where I am but I am far. I hide in an alleyway and sink down against a wall. I start to sob. Alan, why'd he do that? Why did he push me? I would've rather died with him next to me, no matter how horrible the death Thing gave us. At least we would've had each other. Now Alan had no one.

Stand up swallowing my sobs and punch the wall. Why did he do it? Another punch. Why did It attack us? Punch. Why didn't we have a better escape plan? I see blood on the wall, another punch, but I'm losing momentum. Why did I run? Punch. Why didn't I go back? I realize I am screaming the questions now. I try to punch the wall again, but as I swing a stumble and fall against the wall, the very thing I was punching now supports me. I am sobbing again.

"Why did I run?" I ask miserably between sobs. "Why didn't I go back? I should've gone back! I could have... I could've..." No. I couldn't have done anything. By the time I got back up to our apartment I would've been out of breath and just gotten killed myself. Alan would never forgive me for being so stupid as to go back up and get myself killed right after he saved me.

I hold my hands to my chest. They burned. They really hurt. I probably shouldn't have punched the wall.

He was probably getting tortured. He was dying, and I was out here punching a wall. I scream in frustration. I scream at the unfairness of this stupid world. Now my throat is sore. I'm so stupid. I can't do anything right. I pull out my phone, the screen cracked beyond belief from the fall, and dial 911.

"911 what's your emergency?"

"My brother," I croak out, "My brother is dead..." I am sobbing as I tell the dispatcher what happened.

When I hang up, I am no longer crying; I just feel numb. I try my best not to think about what is happening to Alan. Whether he is dead or not already. For his sake, I pray he is. What do I do now? I need a plan. A plan. But I'm not good at plans. I need someone. I've never been alone before. Especially after That Day. I drag myself up, bracing my hands against the wall. I wince at the contact. There is only one other person I know. I need to find Jacob.

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

I hand my license and passport over to the person on the other side of the glass. He waves me through. I will forever be thankful for Alan's careful preparedness. We were both cautious, putting our license and debit cards in our phone cases, but it was his planning and idea to keep our passports on us at all times in a little pouch strapped to our thighs. Even now with Alan beyond the veil his plans were saving me. I thank him silently in my head, wondering if he could hear me.

I go through security, barely a thought in my head.

"Where are you going?" A curious traveler asks me as I walk through the airport to my gate. I look at her, startled out of my numbness. She was a young mother, holding a little toddler who was sleeping with his head against her shoulder.

I give them a weak smile, "To the states. What about you?"

She beams at me. "Me as well! An early birthday present for my husband. He moved there earlier this year for work, but had to leave us here because we only had enough money for one person to travel at the time. He has been saving to bring us, but little did he know I got myself an extra side job to save too! We are moving there early!" She rambles, "What are you going to be doing in the states?" She asks me.

"That's lovely to hear, I bet he will be ecstatic to see you!" I say, "I'm going to visit a friend. I haven't seen him in a while, but I'm hoping he can help me with something."

"Oh that's wonderful! I wish you two the best. I hope he is able to help you!"

"Me too." I say feigning a smile. We bid each other goodbye as she reaches her gate, I walk on. Wonderful she said. Except, there really is going to be nothing wonderful about this reunion.

I finally reach my gate and sit down. I pull out my phone and stare at the shattered screen. Before coming to the airport, I memorized Jacobs address, then powered my phone off. I didn't want to see what became of my brother. I didn't want to see my nightmares made reality in a photo.

– - – – – – – – – – - — - – – – -

I made it. I am standing at Jacob's door. I knock. There is no answer. I peer through the window. It's dark inside. He must not be home. I fidget at the door. I had just finished my red-eye flight and was exhausted. I also felt super exposed just standing here on his front step out in the open. So with only a bit of hesitation, I decide to break in.

I walk over to inspect the window. I put my hand against the glass, and push up. I freeze in shock. It was unlocked. I'll chew Jacob out when he gets back. I step through the window, turn around and close it. I scan around. His apartment doesn't look very lived in. I sit down on the floor, leaning back against the couch.

Sitting there, my mind begins to wander. My brain starts playing horrible scenes in my head, horrifying images of Alan being tortured. Everything in my head is painted red. I rub my eyes trying to get rid of the thoughts. But sitting here, finally somewhere quiet, It really hits me how alone I am. I will never see my brother again. I start crying. I sit there sobbing for who knows how long when the door flies open and Jacob rushes in with a machete in hand. He pauses, hazel eyes growing wide when he recognizes me.

"Alan, it got Alan." I say, tears still flooding down my face.