Sacrifice

Chapter 2

Ring, Ring, Ring I scramble in my purse searching for my phone. Amy's photo is on the screen, I quickly silence my phone.

"Nothing important, you know which way to go?" I steer the topic away and decide to text Amy instead.

"Yea, down by route nine right?" He glances at me and I nod.

Busy right now

I text Amy making sure she doesn't take the miss call too seriously, she can be over dramatic sometimes. My phone vibrates and she replies:

This early? what's up with you.

I'll explain everything later.

I look up to start a conversation, but then I notice Brandon miss the turn.

"Hey you just missed the turn." I pointed out but Brandon ignores me and keeps his eyes on the road. "Brandon, hello! Earth to Brandon" I start to poke his shoulder to catch his attention but he doesn't respond.

" Can we have lunch at my place instead? I sort of prepared something." His voice is sharp with a different tone. My heart flutters a little and I conceal a smile.

"You did? You didn't have to.." He was probably nervous of asking me, that's why he held it off 'till now. He smiles at me and I start to feel dizzy. Wait what? I try to restore my vision by blinking many times, but everything is unsteady.

"You okay?" Brandon reaches for my hand and I enter a void of darkness.

As I gain consciousness I realize I'm not in the car anymore. There's a window with no curtains and the moon shines through, casting shadows. The moon... Wait, it's already dark and I don't know where I am. I try to get up but ankle aches, I wonder why. I scan the room hoping to find some water, my throat is rough and I am in need of water. Why am I in a dress! Oh my god! It's a nightmare, I'm in a nightmare. I pinch myself hoping to wake up but when I open them everything is still the same. I gain balance and take a step, then another, and another. Where am I? I fumble by the wall searching for the light switch, but my foot slides instead. I lose balance and a thud echoes, surrounding me.

"You're awake!" I hear a voice but ignore it, my ankle is hurting so much. A hand touches my ankle and I flinch.

"Luna it's me, Eric." I hear his voice and I soak in the words the I just heard, Eric? Eric!!

"Why am I here! How are you here? Thank god it's you!" My words are muffled as I embrace him, It's been years since I last saw him. He's always there to help me when I need it. My heart swells thinking of our memories, I can't believe he's back.

"Listen, now's not the time to welcome me back. We need to get out of here as soon as possible." He puts slippers on my feet as I try to stand and I bite my lip to keep myself from screaming. Eric sees my face in pain and he squats down.

"Quickly get on my back!" I had no choice but to do as he says. I have no idea what's happening and there is a trace of nervousness in his voice. I have so much to ask, No time for questions now either! I hear that little voice in my head and I agree. It'll have to wait.

He opens the door of the car and I settle in. Then he starts the engine.

"How did you know I was here? What happened to me? Where are we?" The questions I try holding off, rushes out of my lips. Eric doesn't answer me, he switches the gear into reverse and backs out of a dark and dreary driveway. I know he's concerned about our safety, so the least I can do is to stay quiet. I haven't noticed the trees before and decide to switch my focus to those instead. The driveway leads to a dirt road and the trees are thicker. There are no lights to lead the way and the road seems endless. I try to remember what happened today. But my mind is blocked and just when I think there is a flash of memory, it disappears. I sigh disappointed at myself it feels like my memory has a huge gap. I don't remember what I ate this morning, or if I even ate. I have no idea why I have this dress on, isn't this Lenny's? Why do I have a swollen ankle? I take a deep breath trying to calm myself. There must be an explanation for everything, and when I get home Lenny will tell me every single thing I don't remember. Eric reaches for my hand and mint comes to mind. It's like I can smell it right now.

"Don't worry Luna you'll be home soon, home and safe." Eric reassures me and I feel safer already. He's a really a close friend and we grew up together. The trees ahead start to clear up and we find the main the road. How did Eric know which way to go? Well he did come here... We sit in silence, but it's just because I'm exhausted. My body feels like it's been running all day, leaving me sore. Moments later Eric pulls into the driveway, Lenny dashes out of the house and she grabs me into a tight embrace.