Best Enemies

Hanna

Rubi told me everything that happened. I barely listened to what she was saying, my brain was in a spin going over and over, where is Nutmeg? What's happened to her? My mind wanders and I look around. I see dead plants, crushed cans and tyre tracks. 

I think back to when I saw that truck, what did it say? The writing was in subdued, plain, faded blue font with a picture of an animal, no, a face. Naomi's something.... Naomi's removals... Naomi's manufacturing... It's coming... Naomi's Nuts. I silently clap to myself, slightly surprised at my sudden burst of logic. But then I think... Nuts like Nutmeg oh no this isn't right. This must have something to do with Alcor. Nutmeg has been captured by Alcor. 

I bolt away running as fast as I can down the highway. I hear the shouts from Rubi and the boys that run after me stumbling towards me. My feet pound against the ground as I run. The tyre tracks point towards the road. I turn the corner and skid with the effort. More tyre tracks. I continue to run down the highway and look for invisible signs of the skid marks left behind. Nutmeg is my best friend and I can't lose her now, or ever. The cold air burns my nose, eyelids and lips and I begin to slow down. Rubi and the boys aren't far behind me and look exhausted from the run, puffing and spluttering Peter grabs my arm and pulls me to the ground where Rubi and Felix are lying on the sweet smelling grass.

"I can't stop now, they're getting further away!"

"Do you mind explaining who 'they" are? And why I did my training for a marathon which is at least two months away?" Felix says in a rush with an added disapproving look.
"I think Nutmeg has been kidnapped," Felix begins to stand up the disapproving look has now turned into anger.
"There was a truck that drove away when I climbed down the building," I say pulling Felix back down, who is now looking confused and half done with life.
"We have to find them!" and off we go again, this time walking slowly discussing where a bouts Nutmeg could be.
Just as Rubi begins to talk about the local shops my phone chimes, an unknown number pops up,

"Give up.  No hope for Nutmeg." Below the text is a blurry image that makes me choke a little. An unconscious bruised Nutmeg with a slash down the side of her face, oozing out blood. The little clothes that still remain cling to her body in rags, staining her pale skin purple and black. Her hair has been cut and tufts protrude out of her scalp. 

I throw the phone to the ground and sink down to my knees. Rubi looks over her shoulder at my crumpled body. She runs to me and covers me with a soft, tender hug and I cry salty tears into her raspberry scented hair.

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Oh no! 

MOZ xx