Hacker

Chapter 13 - Ethan

Taylor invited us to a damn forest where they say kidnappers lay. Just great. Taylor knows I'm a wuss, but she insists to go here instead of our little hangout in the safe woods, just slightly further away from the park.
I sigh, rolling my eyes as I leave. I brought some chips. I walk past my mom, her brown hair up in a ponytail. She looks at me. "Your dad called. He said he got you something for Christmas. It'll be here tomorrow."
Oh yeah, Christmas Eve is the day after tomorrow. I sigh, and nod, smiling to my mother warmly. "Okay, tell him I said thanks."
My mom nods. I walk off. That's nine christmas's without my dad.
My dad and mom divorced when I was seven. As I am sixteen now.. It's kinda crazy, but I'm used to it I guess.

I walk up to the woods, and wait. I sit down. Taylor hasn't texted us since we made the plans. I tried calling her mom, but her mom never knows where Taylor is, and she said not to worry.
My phone buzzes. It's Daniel. "I see you" the text says. I smile, and look around. There's Daniel, walking up to me. I get up and run to him, leaving my stuff, as I hug him. He hugs me back. Daniel has become less like a crush figure, and more like a big brother figure. Not trying to be incest. "Daniel!" I exclaim. Daniel laughs. "Dude, you'll see me tomorrow too, are you going to react this way again?" He asks, playfully. Daniel always gets invited over for Christmas Eve.
We break our hug, as Daniel looks around. "Where's Taylor?" He asks. I shrug. "I'll text her again.. I've been trying for days!" I say. I pull out my phone. I spot a bag on Daniels wrist. "What's in the bag?"
"Soda."
"Nice."
I text Taylor again. "Where are you?"
No response. I sweat slightly, putting my phone in my pocket. "Did you bring your car?"

We pull up to Taylors house. I fling the car door open, and gasp. It's completely fine?? No, my gut is never wrong!
I run up to her door, and try to open it. It's locked. I groan. Daniel comes up behind me. "E, you good?" He asks, putting a hand on my shoulder. I jiggle the doorknob more, before sighing. "No! My gut says Taylor isn't okay, and the damn door won't open so I can hopefully prove it wrong!!" I explain, panicked. Daniel's brow creases. "Hey.. Chill! Listen.." He pulls out his card. "Don't break it." He says, giving it to me. I look at it for a moment, before nodding, and sliding the card in there.

It takes a minute, but the door opens. I look back to Daniel and smirk, before turning back and freezing. All of Taylors computers have one message on them. "Penelope is back"

"What the hell..?" Daniel murmurs. I involuntarily back up, and cling onto him. What the.. No.. This- This is messed up. Taylor- She- My mind is racing, trying to find an answer. Who is Penelope?!
I begin to tear up. Daniel holds me closer. "Who.. Who is Penelope..?" I ask. Daniel shrugs, taking a step forward. I let go of him, and he goes inside. I watch as he looks through some papers, before staring right at the big screen. "Penelope is back". Daniel utters. He pops his lips, and puts his hands on his hips, turning to me. "We have to call them."
"Who?" I ask. I don't get an answer. Instead, Daniel walks to Taylors analog phone, and looks around. He spots something, and picks it up. It's a sticky note. He puts it down, picks up the phone, and starts spinning the circle.
"Hello?" He asks. Silence. "No, no, this is her friend." He states, pausing. "Well, she does." He pauses for a split second, before starting up again. "Nonono! I can be trusted!!" He panics. My anxiety spikes. Then, Daniel delivers the news.
"We think.. Taylor is.." He gulps. "Missing."