Missing Love

Between the Lines

-Tanner's POV-
"Look, Starr, I'm not sure what you're going through or what medication you're taking but I'm no murderer. We haven't talked since you left for college."
Read 9:02 PM
Starr had ended the call so now, I was just spamming her with text messages. There were so many things I haven't been telling her, like my new girlfriend. Her name is Skylar and she goes to the same college as Starr! That wasn't the biggest thing I haven't told her though... There was a family, the Kings, that owed our family a lot of money so we've been threatening them. We payed a team of desperate teenagers to anonymously text them etc. Serena, Phoebe and Anna were part of the team. (Anna and Serena were killed.) I can't remember all of the team's names but there's one girl who really has it out for Caleb, who's part of the Kings, she is the head of her own operation involving a lot of other crap. She has long blonde hair, big blue eyes and tan skin, her name is Brook. There's a lot more than I know of going on behind my office doors... Suddenly, Brook burst through my doors, "Guess what?" Brook had a devious smile on her face. "What is it Brook? Can't you see I'm busy? Starr hasn't been answering my texts and she thinks I'm a murderer of some sort."  "Starr? That loser sister of yours? Pf, if only you knew all of the things that might be going through her mind right now—" Brook interrupted herself by cackling like a witch. "What have you done to Starr? She's like the only real family I have left and if you hurt her with your own little operation, you're going to be fired. Everyone who works here should have nothing against our targets so I advise you to be careful." The evil smile she had on before returned to her face, "Oh Tanner, sweetie, I'm quitting to spend more time on my operation. Don't worry a pretty little hair on your head about your sister though, she'll never get hurt... too bad." Before I could say anything, Brook flipped her hair and ran out of my office. "BROOK!" She was followed by the rest of the people who worked for me, I had a feeling that they weren't coming back. Maybe I should do some snooping around to see what Brook's operation is really about... Then my phone beeped, it was an unknown number!

"Aha, you've viewed my message!
Tanner remember that you can't protect Starr from the evils of the world.
You must know that people close to her will fail her!
Read what I say! One of those people could be you some day!
Between the lines, the truth is there!
The danger is coming near!
Lines, lines... Can't you see?
Starr must learn too, for it's coming near
Is everything really okay?
In your brain... I wish I could explain!
Danger will devour you like devoured half of that tuna sandwich on your desk.
Don't you see?
Waste of my time.
Anymore clues and we'll both be out of time.
Time is precious, my dear Tanner.
-Anonymous"

-BROOK'S SHORT POV-
A sinister smile spread across my face as I walked down the hall and knocked on a certain someone's door. The door opened and she smirked. "Hey Brook. Come on in. We have a lot to discuss." I smiled. "Hello. And yes. We certainly do, Phoebe."

-Tanner's POV-
I gawked at the message. The hell does this mean? I pulled out my notebook and began to write. I only was a few months over a year older than Starr. Fifteen months, to be exact. I looked over the message and tried to decipher it. It must mean a lot more. Read between the lines? What? Suddenly I got yet another text.
"Fifteen. What an interesting number. I wonder if that has anything to do with a certain text.. *hint hint*"
-A."
I examined the previous message. Suddenly I understood. The first word in each sentence! Fifteen words!
Aha!
Tanner
You
Read
Between
The
Lines,
Starr
Is
In
Danger
Don't
Waste
Anymore
Time.
-Anonymous.

I stared at the text. It was all clear to me now. I need to save Starr. Before it's too late.

-Starr's POV-
I ran my fingers through my hair. Bryson and I were watching a movie and it was pretty scary. I shivered, thinking about the text I got from anonymous. That must have meant 'your-girlfriend-is-cold-comfort-her' to Bryson because he draped his arm around me. I smiled, feeling safe in his arms. I kissed him. He smiled at me and we continued watching the movie. I felt his lips brush against my cheek. I looked at him and felt my neck getting red and splotchy. He smiled "You're so cute." And I just stared at him with this stupid grin. "I'm gonna go make some popcorn. Want some?" He teased. I nodded "Well duh!" While Bryson was in the kitchen he got a text.
"Hey it's Brook, Tanner wants to talk to us. Probably about the anonymous team. You up for it bro?" I stared at the text. B-Brook?
Anonymous?

-Katrina's POV-
I stared out the window. I don't know what Anonymous wants anymore. Does he want us dead? I'm not sure. But honestly--

"Katrina,
You can't go on.
Are you this stupid?
In this world, I control you.
Trouble, that's what you are.
I'm not playing anymore.
Trying to escape won't help.
To everyone in your group:
Help yourselves while you can.
You are not getting rid of me.
Just don't try anymore.
Trust is just a word.
Nobody can help you.
Except yourself.
Your Own Self.
Friends aren't trustworthy.
You are the only trusted one.
Could I be joking?
Die, just die.
- Anonymous.

-Tanner's POV-
I was done. I couldn't help Brook or Bryson anymore. They need to do this themselves. Suddenly I felt someone grab my shoulder. I whirled around and came face to face with Starr, I knew what I had to do.
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Wow! What did you all think of this chapter? There are 1052 words of dialogue in this chapter, not including this A/N of course. Hope you enjoyed! 😘😉