CORRUPTED FILE [Lumina Chronicles Past Drafts]

Level Four: The Crazy Truth

*ELLE'S PoV*

"Oh my god..." I gasped out through sobs as my mother stroked my back comfortingly. This could not be happening. It couldn't. Maggie couldn't have just disappeared,  I mean, things like that don't happen! But she's still gone. No matter how impossible it is, Maggie is not here anymore.

"Mags..." I sobbed. My mom was looking at my dad, worry clear on her dark face. They must think I've gone crazy.

Maybe I did go crazy.

After all, people can't just go to other worlds... Especially a world from a video-game, But Maggie and I definitely did. Either way it didn't matter. Gone is gone. Whether it's to a different world or a different state, gone is gone.

I felt almost sort of... Empty. Like a very vital part of me was missing. That sounds uber corny, I know, but it's true. Mags and I had been inseparable since the day I broke her favorite crayon in kindergarten. (Yes, she had a favorite crayon. Weird, right?)

Now it feels like I'm that broken crayon.

"The police are here. They want to ask you a few questions, Sweety..." My father murmured to me, pulling me from my thoughts.

My sobs had quieted into soft whimpers and sniffles. I nodded slowly, trying to stifle the endless flow of tears.

"Out in the kitchen." My dad said. He patted my back in a futile attempt to cheer me up as I passed him on my way into the hall.

I don't even want to know what I looked like at this point. My eyes were probably red and puffy, my nose was running, and I hadn't bothered to change out of my pajamas. They had Yoshi on them. Attractive.

I entered the kitchen and whatever conversation the four police officers had been in the midst of stopped and they all turned to look at me.

If I wasn't a sad little heap of mush, I probably would have smiled or flirted, but again: I looked like crap! I was wearing Yoshi pajamas! And when one's best friend disappears off the face of the earth, one is not normally in the flirting mood.

So instead, I just stared blankly at them from my spot in the doorway.

"Hello Miss Carter." One of the officers, a burly man with a weird mustache, greeted me softly.

"Hi." I said simply, still not moving from my spot.

"Please take a seat, we just want to speak with you for a little while. We have a few questions." Another officer said, gesturing at an empty seat at the kitchen table. Maggie's usual seat.

I moved stiffly away from the doorway and crossed to the table. I sat with my arms crossed, staring at nothing.

The cops exchanged looks with one another then turned back to me.

"Alright Miss Carter," The mustache man spoke again. "What was your relationship with..." He glanced down at his notebook, "Magdalyn Rose Darrow?"

Oh right, her name is Magdalyn. It was kind of odd hearing her full name like that. She never liked it. No one ever called her Magdalyn. She's always been just plain Maggie. "Maggie is my best friend." I stress the nickname in hopes that the officers will pick up on it and stop referring to her as Magdalyn.

The officer nods, jots something down in his notebook, then looks back up at me. "Right. And how long have you known her?"

"Almost twelve years. We grew up together." I say.

He nods again and continues writing. "In the time that you knew her did she ever contemplate running away? Suicide?"

"No." I snap, horrified that he would even suggest that. "And she didn't run off or commit suicide, she was kidnapped!"

The cops exchanged looks again and Officer Mustache took more notes. "Of course. And did she have an ex-boyfriend or someone who might have motivation to kidnap her?"

I almost laughed there, but I caught myself, keeping my face impassive. "Neither of us have dated since 8th grade."

More note writing.

"Well since you seem so sure about it, who do you think kidnapped her?" Another officer, a younger one sitting to the left of Officer Mustache, chimes in.

Oh, that's simple. A video game character who came to life. You see sir, while Mags and I were walking through the woods, we came across this strange door. It led to a different world, which we are pretty sure was the world of our favorite video game series.

Anyway, we met two crazies there who wanted to keep me and....

Oh my god. They're going to kill her! That's why they took her! The little one said they needed to protect their location and they thought she knew too much! I can't let that happen! I have to find a way to bring her home before it's too late!

But I can't come up with a plan to save her if I'm stuck answering these pointless questions. The police are just a waste of time, it's not like they could actually save her.

I need to get rid of them.

"No idea," I shrug.

The cop next to Officer Mustache stares intently at me, and I could almost see the cogs turning in his head. He was much younger than the others, probably new at this and eager to impress his superiors. "Miss Carter please answer yes or no to the following question," His voice was deep and a bit intimidating. "Have you ever been jealous of Magdalyn?"

"Maggie." I replied. I refused to answer his question until he said her name right.

"Fine. Maggie. Are you avoiding the question Miss Carter?" The officer tilted his head in question, still examining me intently, as if he could find the answers written on my face.

I shake my head calmly. "No no, it's just that my mommy always told me not to talk to strangers."

"You answered his questions just fine." He gestured to the burly officer next to him.

"Yes, but I've just named him Officer Mustache, that's what I've been calling him in my head." I allow myself to smile, but it's a very condescending expression. "Besides, he's much easier to talk to, seeing as he doesn't stare at me like a weirdo."

The young officer shifts his gaze away with an awkward cough and my condescending smile grows wider.

"And anyway, if I were to make up a name for you... I don't think you'd be too fond of my choices."

"I'm Officer Daniels, now yes or no Miss Carter." He presses.

Wow this guy's stubborn! "Of course. Friends always get jealous of each other at some point." I roll my eyes, not really sure where he's going with this.

He fixes his gaze firmly on me again. "Enough to have her disposed of?"

My jaw drops. He cannot be serious!

Before I have a chance to flip out on him, Officer Mustache cuts in. "Daniels, that's enough. We got all the info we need to research this case, you can't just accuse the girl without evidence. Let's get back to the station to send this in."

Officer Daniels nods, though he's obviously not happy about it.

My parents came back downstairs then and thanked the officers for their help. What help? All they did was waste tine that could be spent saving Maggie!

With one last glance over his shoulder, almost like a threat, Officer Daniels and the others left our home. Good riddance.

As soon as the front door closed and the officers had piled into their cars, I let my defensive mask fall and my eyes prickled with the start of fresh tears.

Where are you, Mags? Are you alive? Are you safe?