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Chapter 8

[Liam's POV]

"Ugg..."  I woke up to the throbbing of my head.  While lying on the cold pavement, all my memories of recent events came back to me.

I gasped and yelled, "Casey!"  But it was too late.  I'd been out-cold for a while and guessed it was about 2:00 in the morning now.  Oh no, she's gone.  She's gone.  I rested my head in my hands.  What am I supposed to do now?  Calming myself down had always been easy, but Casey's kidnapping took quite a toll on me.

After a few minutes of staggering loss, and gripping fear for her, I gathered myself and tried to call out for her.

Casey?  Casey?  Are you there?  Please answer.  Please...  Are you hurt?  Come on, C.  The familiar nickname seemed childish now.

Why won't she answer?  I hope she's okay.  She needs to be okay...  No. She is.  I dismissed the thought.  This is Casey I'm talking about.  I've known her my whole life.  She's strong enough to face this.

But am I strong enough without her?

~~~

After slowly getting up off the ground, I thoughts things through and pulled out my cell phone.  Whoever these people are, they committed a crime.  I dialed 9-1-1 and waited for the receiver to pick up.

"9-1-1, what is your emergency?"  A female answered the phone.

"Hi, I'm calling to report a kidnapping."

"Who is it that has been kidnapped?"  The woman asked.

"Casey Thomas,"  I repeated her name. "She has brown hair, big brown eyes, and attends the high school here in town."

"One moment please,"  I waited for more questions. "Did you witness this event?"

"Yes.  It happened tonight around 11:00 or 12:00.  Two men attacked her from behind and took her away in a black van.  They knocked me out before I could get to her,"  I regretted not saving her.  Why couldn't they have taken me instead?

"Alright.  Thank you for contacting the authorities about this.  We will notify her parents shortly.  Do you think you could come in for questioning to give us more information?"

"Yes.  Yes, definitely."

"Thank you Mr..."

"Walker.  Liam Walker."

"Thank you Mr. Walker, we will call you when your services are needed."

"Thank you.  Please find her.  Find Casey."  I hung up the phone and stood there in an overwhelming silence, drowning in my fear, loneliness, and regret.  And for the first time ever, I felt completely and utterly powerless.

~~~

Liam?  Liam?  Are you there?  Casey's thoughts echoed in my head and I jolted awake.

After calling the police, I called around for Casey for a while, but decided she was out of my reach.  I walked home- taking the long way.  The way Casey and I walked on the day we first met in person.  The stars glistened tonight as well, only not as brightly.  Nothing was the same without her.  I brushed my hand against the buildings as I passed them, hoping to spark some memory of us in the streets, or to gain the warm feeling of her presence.

It was wishful thinking.

All I could do was walk home and try to resist the guilt and hurt that consumed me.  Eventually I drifted off to sleep on the couch in the family room.  Now I awoke to her voice.  Oh goodness, Casey.  Please be alright.

Casey?  I hear you.  Are you there?

I'm here, Liam.  I sensed the relief in her tone, and something else... hope?

Casey!  Are you okay?  Where are you?

I'm in a cell, Liam.  It's a long story, but there's hope now.  I can reach you and that is all the chance we need.

What?  What do you mean? 

If you listen, I'll tell you, L.  And trust me, I'm fine.  I could tell her response was genuine.

I miss you, Casey.  Please tell me how to find you.

I miss you too, Liam.  More than you know; and I'm glad you are okay.  Alright, now give me a minute to bring you up to speed.

On-board with her plan immediately, all my worries change to determination.  Tell me what I need to know to get you back.