Trapped

Chapter 18-Jake

Will- the man I once called my best friend, was a criminal... I thought. I couldn't believe it. I took out my phone and opened up the photos section. I scrolled down to the picture Will texted me two days ago, when I came over. It was a picture of us from when we were in middle school, on the hockey team. There we were, arm in arm, smiling at the camera. Little did I know that the next time I saw him, he would have an innocent girl trapped in his house, where he tortured her as he pleased.

I had to get poor Emi out of there, and then we would go far, far away from this place, and settle in our own little world. And the first step of the plan would start today.

I feverishly went to my closet and took out some clothes to change into. After I was done, I put on my watch and headed out the door.

I began walking towards Emi's house. I immediately thought of all the horrors that could've happened in in that house. The sound of Emi's crying rang through my ears like a bell. Constantly, with every step I took, I saw her face, filled with fear and desperation. I had to get her out. I came up to the door now and took a deep breath. I rang the doorbell and waited patiently. I rubbed my hands together and put a cheerful expression on my face.

About a minute later, Will opened the door, and his eyes widened. "Jake, buddy come on in!" He chimed gleefully.  "Hey man, thanks" I said as I shook his hand and went inside.

The hallway was bright and airy. As I walked down, I looked at the walls, lined decoratively with pictures of Will from his childhood, all the way through college. Then, as I walked down further, I saw pictures of Will and Emi, scattered across the wall. They seemed happy, content in almost all of them. Emi had a faint, but noticeable smile on her lips. Will seemed genuinely expressing emotions in all of them. He's not the one help captive, I thought.

"This way,remember?" called Will from the living room, I guess I had been standing by the photos too long. I followed him into the living room.

"So what brings you here today?" He asked.

"Uh nothing I just came to talk to you about something." I said as confidently as I could. I'm  not a very good liar.

"Go on."

"So remember how I told you I used to teach in Boston?"

"Yeah, English right?" He said.

"Yeah, so at my old school, there's a hockey event  and they invited me to come speak at the ceremony. A bunch of guys from the US league will be there too. I was wondering if you'd like to come."

"Dude that'd be aweso-wait, no I can't." He said, his face crestfallen.

"Why not?"

"I can't leave Emi here alone."

"What, she's never been home without you before, come on Will she's not a child." I said in a mocking tone.

His face started to tense as he made a tight gist out of his hand. Then he relaxed and said jokingly,"Of course not, but it's just that I've never left her home alone before and she can't really be comfortable by herself. She uh, has a bit of an anxiety disorder."

But of course she does, I thought. Just then, Emi came out with a bowl of salsa and chips. She looked at me for a fraction of a second and nodded her head.

"I thought I heard Jake come in, so I thought I'd bring up a snack." She said sweetly. She started to leave the room when I purposely brought up the topic.

"Hey Emi, Will and I were just talking about you."

"You were?" She asked curiously. I could see from the corner of my eye that Will was trying his best to stay calm. He did not want this conversation to happen.

"Yeah we were. I was telling Will about this really cool hockey event happening in Boston and I wanted him to come with me, but he can't because of you."

"Because of me? Why?" She asked looking at Will.

"Uh because I know how you don't like to be left alone here sweetie." Will interjected.

"But I was telling him that you're a big girl now and that he wouldn't worry like that." I said jokingly. Emi let out a bashful smile and said,

"Well I support any decision that Will makes." It was crucial that she maintained his trust and didn't sound too eager if we wanted this plan to work.

"I see. Well sorry man, I hate to say it, but you're going to be  missing out on a lot. Montgomery Basin, Tyler Oaks, Gerald Hamilton, all the greats are gone be there." I said trying to entice him to change his mind. Suddenly, there was a change in his demeanor. He looked up at me when unmentioned Gerald Hamilton. I knew that was his favorite player when he was growing up. I gave him a hook on the elbow and gave him a playful smile.

"Al-alright. I'll come with you on the trip," he said, finally giving in.

"That a boy!!" I said giving him a pat on the back. But immediately, his mind went to one question. 

"But what about Emi? Where is she going to stay?" He asked, his tone concerned.

"I'll be right here." She said innocently.

"No no, I can't leave you home alone. Either she's coming with me or I'm not going." He said forcefully.

"How about we hire a housekeeper or a caretaker?" I chimed in.

"Will... what do you think?" Asked Emi nervously.

"I suppose-" Will started.

"Great! I'll have someone come by and stay with Emi for 3 days." I said quickly. I took a chip and dipped it in salsa, and ate it. I gave Will a fistbump and said, "We start packing tomorrow!"