believe me // the black phone

chapter thirteen

Sydney led Gwen into her room. Sydney's mind was racing, trying to figure out why this young girl had come to her, of all people. She wanted to help, but she didn't know where to begin.

"So... how did you know to come to me?" Sydney asked, still trying to make sense of everything.

Gwen sat nervously, her small hands gripping the edge of her jacket. "I heard what people say about you... at school. About what happened to you. But I didn't believe them when they said you were lying. My brother didn't either. He... he used to talk about you sometimes."

Sydney blinked in surprise. "Finney? I don't even know him. Why would he believe me?"

Gwen looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because I do. And I think he had a feeling something bad was going to happen."

Sydney shifted uncomfortably. "What do you mean?"

Gwen took a deep breath before answering, her eyes wide and serious. "I've been having these dreams... for a while now. Before Finney disappeared. I didn't understand them at first, but after he went missing, they got worse. They're about him, and... about the others. The kids who were taken."

Sydney's heart raced. "What kind of dreams?"

"They're more like... pieces. I see places, hear things, but I don't know if they're real or not. Sometimes, it's like I'm seeing what happened to them."

Sydney stared at Gwen, chills creeping up her spine. She had been through enough to know that strange things happened when people were desperate. Maybe Gwen's dreams were just nightmares brought on by fear, but something told her it was more than that.

"Why didn't you tell the police?" Sydney asked.

Gwen shook her head, a bitter smile crossing her face. "I've tried. No one believes me. Just like no one believed you. But the dreams... they feel real. And I think they're trying to show me something—where my brother is, maybe even where the others were taken."

Sydney was silent for a moment, letting the weight of Gwen's words sink in. She wasn't sure if she believed in things like visions, but if anyone knew what it felt like to be dismissed, to be called crazy, it was her. And if Gwen was right, if these dreams were trying to lead her to Finney, then maybe they had a chance.

Sydney bit her lip, staring at Gwen, unsure of what to say. She felt a mixture of fear and responsibility. She knew what it was like to be dismissed, to have the truth overlooked, and she couldn't just brush Gwen off. But the idea of following some cryptic dreams, chasing down clues no one else could see—it felt overwhelming.

Still, she couldn't ignore the desperation in Gwen's eyes.

"Okay," Sydney finally said, her voice steadying. "We'll figure this out. Together."

Gwen looked up at her, hope flickering in her expression. "You'll help me?"

Sydney nodded, even though she wasn't sure where this path would lead. "I know what it's like to feel lost... like nobody's listening. I'm not gonna let you go through that alone."

Relief washed over Gwen's face, but Sydney could see the fear lurking just beneath the surface. "Thank you," Gwen whispered.

Sydney stood up, pacing the room as she tried to organize her thoughts. "So, these dreams... do you remember anything specific? Like, something we could follow?"

      A few hours passed, with Gwen and Sydney talking, sharing their stories and doubts as if they'd known each other forever. Gwen glanced at the clock on Sydney's wall, eyes widening slightly as she saw how late it had gotten.

      "I should probably head home before my dad starts wondering where I am," she said, standing up and brushing off her jeans. "He... well, he doesn't really know I'm out."

      Sydney rose too, following Gwen toward the door. "Right, yeah. Let's just... let's meet tomorrow after school? We can talk more about... everything. Figure out what to do next."

      Gwen nodded, relief in her eyes. "Tomorrow sounds good."

      Sydney opened the door, stepping aside so Gwen could head out. But before Gwen left, she paused in the doorway, looking back with a serious expression.

      "Thank you, Sydney. For believing me."

      Sydney managed a small smile. "Thanks for believing me too Gwen."

      Gwen hesitated for a moment, then slipped out into the cool night air. She waved over her shoulder before heading down the driveway, her figure growing smaller as she walked toward the streetlight at the end of the block. Sydney stood there, watching until Gwen disappeared around the corner, a strange mixture of worry and determination twisting in her chest.

      The house felt too quiet after Gwen left. Sydney closed the door, leaning against it and staring into the darkened hallway. She realized, for the first time in a long time, that she didn't feel so alone.