Thunderbird Road.

Chapter 9

For a couple of days, everything was fine.

Zack and I had some fun running errands for Mr. Vinton, driving around Vernon, and looking at his cell phone in search of suspicious footage.

Then Wednesday arrived, and everything went to crap.

It all started even before I arrived at the shop.

At lunch hour that day, after noticing that Lola wasn't speaking much, my friends and I inquired what was wrong with her. To our shock, she revealed that her father had found out about her boyfriend and had gone to his work to threaten him.

So, we apologize for not noticing it.

"It's alright," she said, smiling softly. "I'm just bummed out he's not answering my calls."

I opened my mouth to ask if she was worried Armando wanted to break up with her, but before I could do it, my cell phone rang. I got up from the table, a bit upset that someone was calling me at such an unfortunate time. It was Zack. A bit less snappy, I excused myself, pressed the button to accept the call, and answered.

"Hi!" I greeted him cheerfully, but he didn't answer back.

I frowned and looked at the cell phone screen, thinking at first that my cell phone had glitched, but then I realized I could hear his breathing, and I frowned, confused.

"Hello?" I asked.

After a while, Zack began mumbling, sounding really confused and scared.

"Zack, what's wrong?" I asked.

"You are not going to believe this," he said. "I cannot believe it."

"What's up?" I asked.

"I saw something on the footage feed," he told me. "I don't know if Dad has seen yet, but it's...weird."

"Is it a suspect?" I asked him, thinking for a moment it could be a suspicious individual. But he denied it.

"It has nothing to do with the visitors," he told me. "It's about the car."

"The Thunderbird? What is it?" I asked, confused but interested regardless.

"Let me send you the clip," he said, and I agreed.

After a few seconds, he sent me the clip he was referring to and asked me not to show it to anyone, mainly because they would have to call the police, and the police would probably see it as evidence.

"Jesus, what happened to the car?" I asked, beginning to worry.

"Nothing, that's the thing. Dad hasn't called me yet to ask about the Thunderbird, so I guess it must be back," he said, making me frown.

"What do you mean that the car must be back?" I asked.

"Just watch the footage. Then call me afterward," Zack said.

"So, is it okay to go to your house today?" I asked, "Or..."

Zack went silent again, and I knew then that I wouldn't be able to see him.

"I think it's better if you don't come today," he said, "if dad has seen the footage or sees it later, he's not going to be in the best mood, and probably it might get worse if we have to call the police."

I agreed, but I was still bummed out about it.

"It's okay, I understand. I wouldn't want to worry Dad by being there either," I said. "It's a bummer, though."

"I know, but I think it's for the best. We can chat later when I'm in my room."

"That'd be nice. Maybe after homework?" I asked, trying to sound more cheerful.