Heart Me

28

Iris picked up the phone with trembling hands, her fingers shaky as she grasped the sleek, cold device. Her breath hitched in her throat, anxiety mounting with each passing second. She stared at the screen, almost certain it would be locked behind a wall of security-either a complex password or a fingerprint scan. Summoning her courage, Iris swiped her finger across the screen, half-expecting it to deny her access. To her surprise, the phone unlocked instantly, the display lighting up with a soft glow. For a moment, she just stood there, staring in disbelief, the simplicity of the gesture contrasting sharply with her fraught expectations.

"What is he up to?" She whispered all alone, staring the at the cell.

She stared at the phone a bit more, her mind awhirl with questions. Why had Benedict left the phone unlocked? Was it an oversight, or had he intended for her to use it? Her thoughts raced through possibilities, each more unsettling than the last. She bit her lip, her brow furrowing deeply as she pondered the implications. The unlocked phone seemed like a deliberate gesture; a breadcrumb left for her to follow. Her fingers hovered over the screen, her breathing shallow and rapid. Iris felt a knot tightening in her stomach, the uncertainty gnawing at her. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Shaking her head, she tried to dispel her doubts. She couldn't afford to get lost in speculation. She needed to act. As her gaze shifted to the screen, she noticed Chris's name flashing as a missed call. Her heart skipped a beat, and she hesitated, her thumb hovering over the call icon. For a brief moment, she considered calling him back, but it would imply big explanations that she was not ready to give. Taking a deep breath, Iris steadied herself and dialed Stone's number. He was the right person to phone to. The phone rang, each tone echoing her mounting anxiety. Her hands were still trembling, and she clenched the phone tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"Hello?" She heard his voice after a few seconds. An apprehensive tone in his voice, and also tiring. Iris took a look outside. The sun was already half showing.

"Stone?" Iris then said. "It's me..." She whispered into the cell.

"IRIS!" He almost yelled on the other end. He jumped off of the bed where he had been sitting for long hours, clueless of what to do and waiting for some news from Chris. "Babe? Where are you?" He asked right after, walking incircles. He was tightening the phone with such strength that his fingers were white. "It's him isn't it?"

"Yes..." She whispered, closing her eyes. Her lips trembled and so did her hands. Her closed eyes were filled with tears. "I love you." Iris then stuttered. "I've always loved you and I'll always will."

"Where are you?" Stone sat at the edge of the bed again, running his trembling fingers over his unruly hair.

"I don't know..." Iris responded with a crying voice. "He covered my eyes, but it didn't take too long. It's a house in front of the sea like thousands of houses in front of the sea. I know the glass is unbreakable. He's not stupid..." Her last words a grunt.

"What does he want? Did he say something?"

"Me..." She gasped. She heard him gasp on the other end and her tears fell down her cheeks. "Stone, I need you to trust me."

"Where are you calling from?" He frowned.

"His cell... he had to shelter. The sun was rising. But he left his cell here near me... don't worry..." She smiled bitterly. "He knew I was going to use it. I'm only doing what he predicted."

"What do you want me to do?" Stone got up again. He walked in circles like a caged animal.

"Nothing!" She scolded him. He stopped on his tracks when he heard her tone. "Listen to me... our house is surrounded by his men. They'll hurt you so do nothing, please. Promise me?"