The Long Run (Prequel to Time Loop)

Chapter Nine

After the surprisingly nice dinner out, we all took a cab ride back to Raven and Charles's flat. "What's wrong Isabelle?" Charles glanced my way, noticing I had stopped talking all the sudden.

"I feel like somethings wrong."

"Like what?" Charles asked.

"I'm not sure. I think it's Darlene. I need to go see if she's okay. It will be quick, I promise," I turned to Charles and Raven.

Charles nodded and told the cab driver to turn the other direction, back to the dorms.

~Time Skip~

Once we finally got to the dorms, I rushed upstairs to see that our dorm room had been unlocked. "I'll go in first," Charles said, pushing the door open slowly.

"Is she in there?" I asked, trying to look past him, but he blocked he way.

"I don't think you should see this..."Charles muttered, closing the door again, "Raven, make sure she gets back to our flat safely."

"Come on Isabelle," Raven said, already turning the other way.

"No," I stayed in my spot, "What is it you're trying to hide?"

"Look, I really don't think you want to see this Isabelle. I'm doing this for your own safety," Charles said.

I crossed my arms, "I'm not a child. I can handle whatever is in there."

With a sigh, Charles stepped aside. Right before I reached my hand over to the door knob, Charles grabbed my wrist, "There's no shame in turning back now."

Without saying a word, I yanked my arm out of his grasp and pushed the door open. When I walked in, I absolutely had no words. Our room had been destroyed completely. There was blood splattered everywhere, scratches on the walls, blankets and clothes sprawled all over the floor. Who ever tried to get in here meant business.

Sadly, as you expected, Darlene was no where to be found. I glanced around the room more, trying to find some clues as to where she went. Darlene's telephone laid flat on the carpet floor, smashed to pieces and yanked off the wall.

"Who would do something like this?" I muttered as I angrily picked up a crumpled letter on the floor. I read it aloud, "Dear Ms. Sandreas, I have your friend Darlene. She safe...for now. Give me what I want and you can have her back."

"Does it say who it's from?" Charles asked.

"No," I shook my head with a frown.

"Isabelle, I'm so sorr-"

"Don't apologize," I stopped Charles short. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have left her alone."

"Don't blame yourself. You couldn't have known this was going to happen," Charles assured.

I shook my head, tossing the phone back on the ground, "I'm so stupid for thinking I could live a normal life. Now my best friend is in danger all because of me."

"I promise you Isabelle, we'll find her. You just have to trust me," Charles said.

I turned to face him, trying my best to hold in the impending tears, "Why should I? You're the one that got me into this mess! If it weren't for you, my friend would still be here."

"I'm sorry Isabelle-"

"No. Don't say you're sorry cause that's not going to change anything. Just go," I muttered bitterly, avoiding his gaze.

"But-"

"Go!" I shouted, turning back to face the room, so I didn't have to see his face again.

After a long moment of silence, I turned back around to see that he and Raven had left. With a sigh, I closed the door and locked it behind me. Right then and there, I fell to the ground, bursting into tears.

In my head, all I was thinking was, here we go again. Everywhere I go, someone gets hurt. And the only thing I could think of was running away. Running away from all the drama, and the pain and the heartache.