Ghost of Joshua

The Call

Brighton was awoken the next morning by the obnoxious ringing of her phone. She sluggishly rolled over and picked it up, seeing the title "Unknown number" on the top of her screen. Was she still dreaming? Cautiously, she answered. Her voice was deep and croaky.

"Hello, who is this?"

"It's me, Aaron. There's a slight problem." The speaker answered.

"Bloody hell. What's happened this time? Why are you calling me from an unknown number?"

"I can't explain much right now; I'm at the police station." He paused. "They've arrested me."

"What the actual-"

"I know! They came into my flat last night and woke me up. I got out of bed in my bloody pants and they got me. Tazered me to the floor! Bit harsh, considering I thought they were just the party animals on the next floor down."

Brighton sat up in her bed and brushed her hair out of her face, looking at the mess in the mirror. She groaned as she stretched. Every joint under her skin popped.

"Argh! Again? Did they even tell you why they took you this time?" She rubbed her eyes until she saw splodges of darkness, trying to vision what happened to one of her best friends. "I'll be over there soon. You woke me up, you bastard."

He apologised with a half-hearted laugh. "I think I heard them mention murder. I'm not really sure. I woke up practically in bits and it's all a bit of a blur."

Brighton whispered in return. "Do... Do you think it has anything to do with Joshua?"

"Why would this have anything to do with Joshua?" His voice echoed harshly down the line.

"I don't know, they might have gone through your apartment or something." She responded with a slight sigh. This must have caught on since his next words were more gentle. Comforting almost.

"Okay, okay. What we need to worry about right now is getting me out of here as quick as you can. Can you do that?" His question circulated in Brighty's head for a few short moments. She had to come to a decision.

"I- uhh..." She paused, longer than necessary, until she sighed again. "Fine. But I have no idea how to even begin. How the bloody hell am I going to pull you out of there?"

"I don't know how, but you have to at least try. Please? For me?" Aaron replied sweetly and could almost hear her smile through the phone.

"Anything for you." She muttered as she hauled herself out of bed. "I'll be over there with the guys soon but we can't give anything away. Are you alright?"

"Getting there. I still feel a bit groggy but that's to be expected, really. Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me! It's you that I'm worried about! I'll see you soon. Take it easy."

Click. She hung up the phone and jumped up. Her toes sunk into the bright blue rug and she dragged herself into the bathroom where she took a quick shower. The water was cold at first. It woke her up in an instant. Mumbling silent thoughts to herself she quickly dried the excess water droplets from her hair. She didn't bother with properly drying, this could be important.