The Stars Among Us

Chapter 6

ELAINE

      There was an ambulance, a few of the big red fire trucks, and two police cars. I was sitting in the opened ambulance and the lady gave me hot tea. Grayson was talking to the police men over their car. I didn’t know where Echo was, but Wini's inside the ambulance, she got a few bruises and scars. I think she fell asleep. I was sipping my tea when I saw a figure approaching, it was Echo.
       “Hey,” she called. “You alright?”
   “I’m fine. I'm just processing my thoughts,” I replied softly. “Where were you?”
      “I stole a fireman's jacket and the tools and I sneaked back in.”
       “Why did you decide to do it?” I asked. She didn’t want to go inside to search for Grayson earlier.
      “I don't decide to do it,” she said with a pause. “I just did it.”
      “Well, why did you do it anyway?”
      “I just wanted to know the place better and to see if I could find something that could be useful.”
      “And did you find something?”
      “It was a big fire, the left side of the building is turning into dust and ashes, but some of the rooms on the right side of the building are clean enough. But to answer your question, yes, I did find something.” she said, putting her hands on her pants’ back pocket.
      “What is it?” I wondered. She was about to show me the stuff she was holding when a lady in a white suit came up to us. I think it's either another ambulance lady or the doctor. And Echo hid her hands away and shoved the stuff again in her pocket. It seemed like she didn't want anybody to know this.
      “Hello, kids,” the lady said “Doing all good?”
      “Yes, we’re just fine. Thanks,” I answered for the two of us.
      “Here, I brought you two cups of hot chocolate, the weather’s a bit chilly, don't you think?” she said. We took it and said thanks.
      “Yes, we think so too,” Echo replied.
      “Well, I better go now, but if you need anything just call one of us.”
      “Will do,” I smiled. The lady gave us a smile and a little wave, then she walked away.
      “So, what’s the thing you want to show me?” I asked while I took a sip of my drink.
      “It’s this–” she said, but someone cut her off again and she went putting her hands in her pocket again.
      “Hey, ladies.” It was Grayson.
      “Hello, Woods,” I said. “What did the police want?”
      “Nothing, they just asked me a few questions and expected me to answer. Which I can't because I don't know what’s going on entirely,” he said truthfully.
      “Yes, you do. Vesper’s gone, so we tried to find him but then Wini’s gone. We certainly don't know who the kidnapper is, whether it's the same creepy man that was in your room that one morning or the creepy man that was following me, or is it the same person and that’s why we’re here,” explained Echo.
      “Okay, wise kid. But it's much more than that. We don't even know what this person wants from or with us and it's not like we have any proof of anything,” he replied. “And if you think about it, this whole thing made no sense. It's just like coming straight out of a crappy mystery detective book that a teenager in junior high school would write about.”
      “You got a point there, Woods,” I said. “So, Echo has something that she wants to show us.”
      “What is it, Echo?”
      “Well, I found this inside of a room at the right side of the building–” she started explaining, but then someone cut her off again, and she let out a sigh, showing that she’s already tired of it.
      “How are you doing, guys?” said a fireman that approached us.
      “We’re doing fine, actually.” Echo tried to be polite.
      “Well, here,” he said, putting an orange blanket over my back, another blanket over Echo’s back. “I was told by my companion that you guys needed some blankets. We have a few in the truck.”
      “Thank you,” Echo said. “I guess,” she added while whispering.
      “I’ll bring out another one for the boy here–” he said, but Grayson cut him off.
      “Uh, no need, thank you,” he said, looking rather confused. “Why blankets?” he asked while his hands were reaching for his head and slicked his curly hair backwards.
      “Well, you guys are in shock. That's just what we do after a situation like this. Plus, it’s a chilly night.”
      “I appreciated it, I could use some blankets,” I smiled at him.
      “Glad I could help. Well, enjoy the rest of the night and don't forget to sleep. I bet it has been a long day for you guys.” He finally waved at us and walked away to one of the fire trucks.
      “Come on,” Echo said while taking a step away towards the building. “Follow me.”
      “Where are you going?” Grayson said.
      “Back to the building, I want you to check out something.”
      “Can't you just tell us?” I whined. “I'm getting comfortable here and my legs are a little sore.”
      “Come on, Elaine!” she replied.
      “No way! I'm not going back there again,” I started complaining. “I'm in shock, see? I’ve got a blanket.”
      “Drop it and follow me,” she said, not looking back as she walked quickly inside the building.
      “Well,” Grayson said, looking sympathetically at me. “Guess we should follow her.” He reached my right hand and pulled me towards the building.
      “Sure.” I finally gave up. I dropped the blanket and we followed Echo inside.