Goodbye, I love you

The tinted black van

Last month of summer

I exhaled deeply as I pet the furry orange ball in my arms. He's truly the ultimate companion. "Aren't you, Fergus?" He purred softly closing his eyes. This summer has been weird but I am glad Peter is doing well. I don't know what happened with his friend, Steve but I hadn't seen him with Peter, and he hasn't talked about him since that night he showed up at my house. I wonder what changed his mind. Anyways, that's probably for the best.

What I am truly happy about and thank God for is the fact that he finally worked out issues with his dad. His dad finally understood how important and how hard he worked for the scholarship so he's gonna let him go. He can go to Europe after. I think that's a win-win situation. He was always happy to help his dad with his business.

Fergus jumped down and scampered off.

I dialed Bethel's number and waited as the phone rang. I moved to the bean bag chair by the window. A black van was parking across the street. I didn't know any of our neighbors with a black van.

"Hello." Bethel picked up, and I dismissed the idea of the strange vehicle.

"Hey, you don't sound so good." I threw myself on the bean bag. "I'll be fine. I am just overwhelmed." She breathed.

"I'm sorry. How are things with Mick?"

"I don't know. We're still not seeing each other as much as I'd like and every time, I bring it up he gets upset. I don't know what to do."

"Oh, Beth, I wish I could make you feel better." I frowned.

"Don't worry about it."

"If you're not happy, I don't think you should keep going."

"What?"

"Have you spent any time in the word lately?" I asked. "Not really. I've been brain dead this week."

"I might not have the ability to make you feel better but God's word can."

"It's not gonna solve my situation with Mick."

"You're right. But it will make you feel better. Give you a change in perspective which will eventually help you to deal with your situation."

"I gotta go. My mom's here."

"Think about it." I said. "See you."

"I love you."

"Love you." She hung up.

I was supposed to meet Peter later this evening but I was feeling tired. I checked the time and smiled. Hm, I still have a couple of hours before I have to go. I felt a buzz from my phone. I smiled when I saw that it was a text from Jason. He was walking his dog and asked if I'd come with. Huh, there goes my nap.

***

"I didn't think you'd come." Jason tugged on the leash. "I didn't know you had a dog."

He chuckled. "His name is Buddy." Buddy was a golden-brown Labrador. "Aw, hi, buddy!" I bent down to pet him and he barked. "He likes you." He said. "I like you too. Yes, I do." I said in baby talk. "I was going to take a nap, but this is nice too."

We walked to the park and I watched Jason run around with Buddy. I smiled at how content and happy Buddy was. Without a care in the world and only focused on that moment with his best friend. What a wonderful feeling to have unfaltering joy no matter the surroundings.

We walked to his house and he offered to drive me to Peter's. I was sad having to say goodbye to Buddy. He was such a sweetie. I waited for Jace as he took Buddy inside. I pulled out my phone and texted Peter that I was on my way.

"Okay, let's go!" Jason exclaimed. I looked up at him and smiled. We got in the car and drove away. On our way we passed by my house and I noticed the black van still parked. "That's strange." I stared out the window. "What?" He asked. "That van. It's been here all day." I replied.

"So?" He switched gazes between me, and the road. "Jason, none of neighbors own a van. I've never seen it before." I looked at him.

"Maybe someone got a new car."

"It's all tinted and creepy."

"You're being weird. It's probably nothing."

I turned back to the window and tried to believe Jason's assured comfort but it wasn't working. Something's not right. But maybe Jason's right. It sounds crazy. We arrived at Peter's house, and the car stopped across from his house. I thanked Jason and got out the car and proceeded to Peter's house. Peter came out, and I smiled and waved when I saw him.

"I'm just gonna go check something in the back real quick!"

"Okay!" I walked over to his car at the curb and leaned on the trunk as I gazed around. The sky looked pale with a pinkish color. Summer sure has its perks. I noticed something that gave me chills. A tinted black van parked a few feet away from Peter's house. Is that the same van? Had they been following me?

"Hey!" Peter touched me, and I jumped.

"Whoa," he raised his hands. "It's me." I folded my arms. "Sorry."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Let's just go." I walked to the passenger side and got in.

***

"Okay, what's wrong? You've been acting strange all night." Peter said as we walked. I licked my vanilla cone. "I'm sorry, I've been seeing this same van everywhere today." He stopped. I looked at the ocean as the waves collapsed on the beach. "A van?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe it's just a coincidence."

"Yeah, my friend said the same thing." I stared at him.

"Well, I agree." He stared at me. "Okay."

"You're fine." He hugged me. I exhaled as I rested on his shoulder. "I'll never let anything happen to you." He pulled away, and I nodded. He leaned in and kissed me. We smiled at each other, and he kissed my forehead.

"We should head back."

"Okay, I'm just gonna go to the restroom real quick." I ran back to Surf's Pizza.

I turned on the faucet and splashed water on my face. I stared at my reflection as water dripped from my pale face. I pushed back my red hair and exhaled. I heard footsteps from outside then they stopped by the door. I pulled a paper towel. "Peter? Is that you?"

There was no response. I tossed the wet and crunched paper in the trash and went outside. I didn't see anyone. I could've sworn I heard someone out here. Suddenly a dark object went over my head, and I couldn't see. I gasped as someone grabbed my arm. I felt my heart rate increase as my efforts to shake free made the grip even tighter. My neck felt cold as the ocean breeze hit me.

"Let me go!" I yelled. "Shut up!" A man spoke through gritted teeth. I stomped on his right foot. "Ow!" He groaned. I attempted to run only to fall in the hands of another man. "Ugh! Let go!" I grunted.

"What are you doing?" The man said with a full, raspy voice. "Sorry, boss, she wasn't cooperating." The other guy replied. "What are you? An idiot? Of course she's not cooperating."

"You." He tugged on my arm. "Do as we say if you don't want a bullet hole in your head." I felt myself growing unwillingly calm. Where's Peter? I hope he's not taken as well. A familiar feeling clothed my body—dread—I felt a lump in my throat. The air in the bag grew increasingly hot and dense. I quietly gasped for air as I was being dragged along.

I heard a van door slide open. A van? I knew it! This wasn't something I should be glad to be right about. I really wish I were wrong. I went in the van and sat next to a person—another thug I presume. "Avery?" I heard Peter whisper. "Peter? Oh, my gosh! I was hoping they didn't get you."

"What do they want?" He asked.

"I don't know. Oh, God," I prayed silently."Quiet, you two." A thug ordered