If I Could Run

Chapter 13

The week went by as very boring. Becky finally came back home from the hospital and I couldn't go out to volcano road since it was school nights and I never had time. Finally Friday came. I decided I would go down to volcano road that night to see what was under the lava. After school I got home and asked Mike If he could bring me there. He said he was gonna look around with me and I couldn't argue I wanted him with me. I packed a bag holding rope,rock climbing stuff, food, water, flashlight, batteries, my journal with my research, and my cellphone. He took the same stuff. We changed into dark clothes. I wore black legging and a black tank top and he wore black basketball shorts and a black shirt. We headed out the door after dinner around 8 when it started to get a little dark. By the time we reached the volcano it was 8:40 and the sun was almost fully set. We climbed the volcano and went to the door we went through the other day.
"It's closed." I said looking at the wall.
"Well let's pull the lever." He said moving the rock again. But the lever wasn't there. Instead there were ripped wires and nothing else.
"Do you think the people holding my dad saw that we found the wall and closed it?" I asked looking for another way in.
"Maybe. Let's just hook up a rope and go down." We walked to the very top of the volcano and found a rock and he tied a rope to it. We climbed down and decided to just keep going down since the rope went through the lava. I went first. My legs and waist went through the lava and no burn thankfully. Then my shoulders and neck went in and finally my head. I was right! It was a a secret place! The place was the room that I saw my dad in. I reached the floor and tugged the rope signaling for Mike to come climb down. I walked around the room quietly. The same computer type electronic stuff was on the wall and the cushy chair was there. I saw that rusty bed my dad had. The only thing that wasn't there was my dad. When Mike reached the bottom we walked around the room together. I found a book in a drawer next to the bed. I read the first page as my heart stopped.

Dear Journal,
Today I was taken by the Black Dress Shoe. I knew my work would eventually lead to this. Ever since I walked in my bosses closet in his office I was a witness. In his closet was a secret lab that was meant to extract the power out of special people like me and my daughter. I never told her who she was. I was gonna tell her on her 17th birthday. Now it's too late. The Dress Shoe told me I could live if I helped him find the power source to his machine. I didn't want to but I want to do what I have to do to be able to live and see my daughter and wife again. I've been researching and trying to find the power source in the volcano. It's so tough though.

Dear Journal,
I found the way to the power source but it'll take 2 years tops to get to it. I told the dress shoe about it. He's very proud of my work, but I'm not.

I stared at the pages with disbelief I skipped ahead to the second to the most recent journal entry.

Dear Journal,
I found out how to tell my daughter about her specialness. I used my own power to record myself in my room and send it to her as a dream. Plus, while I do it she can be a hologram here. She won't get actually hurt. I told her recent news. But was interrupted by The Black Dress Shoe coming to get me to discipline me for my mistake. It wasn't even a mistake. I dug a hole in my closet to get to the power source. I was gonna find it and use it to shut down this whole place. Then I could destroy the source and come back to my family. But they found out. I hid the Power Source. I won't tell anyone where I put it.
They carried me to his office and told me I would be thrown in there jail never to see day light again.

I flipped to the next journal entry

Dear Journal,
Today I will be taken to my cell. I know that Katie will be arriving soon to come find me. She's so head strong like me. So Katie first you need to come find me! I'll be in the jail. Use this drawn map of this whole place to find me. I'll give you more instructions. Just don't be seen. If you have someone with you make sure they are with you at all times and stay hidden with you. See you soon. I love you.

I turned to Mike and had him read it. I jumped up in his arms happy that I was so close to getting my father back. We hugged and started looking at the map together. Then the door opened...