Lost Without A Clue

Chapter Four

     Griffin fell asleep right as he entered his room last night so when he woke up he sent Xavier a text saying, "Hey Xavier, where did you go last night? Was it something for your parents? Was it important or were you tired? Because I would have took you home if you asked, alright? Text me soon dude. See you soon."

     Griffin was bored of waiting for Xavier to text back so he told his mom he was going to Xavier's house and left. On his walk there he thought more about last night. Why hadn't he seen Xavier leave? Maybe he left as Griffin went searching for him. And what was that sweet smell in the alley? Shouldn't the alley smell... Not sweet? It was probably some kids that went back there and ate candies or did other things.

     Griffin reached the house and knocked on the door. Even though him and Xavier are friends, he still considered it rude to just walk in there. Xavier's mother Penelope opened the door. "Oh, hello Griffin! Where's Xavier, is he coming? Ohh, did you boys race here? I always knew you were faster, but this fast? He's carrying his stuff here, isn't he? I would have grabbed it. Wow, he must have dropped somethi-"

     "Wait, Mrs. Wilson, Xavier isn't here? I thought he was here, that's why I came. We were at the party last night and I couldn't find him. Don't worry though, he could have gone with someone else to their place. That's probably what he did. I don't know, but anything could have happened..."

     Penelope looked shocked. "Griffin, are you telling me that you don't know where Xavier is? Are you boys joking with me? Because if you are I will make sure that you two won't see each other for a long while. Not even at school Griffin, trust me on that."

     "I'm sorry, but I'm not joking. He will probably come back later, don't worry okay? He's fine, I'm most positive of it. I'm going to come back later, is that fine?"

     "Um Griffin, can you stay for a while? I-It's just that I can't th-think of anyone Xavier would hang out with, other than you..." Penelope started to cry.

     "Mrs. Wilson, of course I'll stay. And don't worry alright? I'm sure everything is fine. You don't have to worry okay? I'm going to grab my phone and tell my mom, and then I'll be right back it'll take five minutes the most." When Griffin said not to worry, this was mostly to himself. He couldn't think of anyone either and wasn't as optimistic as he came across. He felt terrible for Xavier's mother, she shouldn't be crying and worrying.

     Griffin ran to his house, grabbed his phone, told his mom about where he would be, and ran out the door. As soon as he ran out the door he got a text from Xavier. "You won't tell anyone, will you?" Griffin stopped running and texted Xavier back. "Xavier, your mom is crying and is worried about you. Of course I am going to say where you are. Unless... Never mind but where are you?"

     Xavier sent a text back immediately. "I'm not Xavier. Don't call me Xavier. Will you tell?"

     Griffin was frustrated. "Tell what?! Xavier, are you alright. It's fine if you aren't, I'll come get you okay? Just tell me where you are."

     "I'M NOT XAVIER! WILL YOU TELL OR NOT? I WON'T SAY ANYTHING UNLESS YOU WON'T TELL!"

     Griffin didn't know what to say so he just texted back, "I won't tell. But what is it that I can't tell anyone? Where is Xavier?"

     The unknown messenger responded once more. They said, "You will know where Xavier is soon. But only if you meet me. You will go over the fence in that second alley by Frank's house. Take a left and keep walking until you see a fire hydrant. Then turn right into the forest and keep walking. You will arrive at a cabin. Be there at eleven tonight, and if you tell anyone about this situation, about this text, about Xavier, his life will perish. Goodbye for now, Griffin."

     Now Griffin was terrified for Xavier's safety. Who would take a senior child, nonetheless, a boy? Why Xavier? Was he the only one? Did Xavier see something he shouldn't have? Was he really getting out of this alive? Griffin had so many questions but only a few would be answered, and tonight. He had to go to that cabin but why him? Probably because he wasn't an adult, and would be weaker. He didn't even have enough time to get stronger or get a weapon. He would most likely grab a big knife from the kitchen and hide it. There was just the place of where he could hide it. Possibly he would wear a jacket and hide a knife down his sleeve small enough to conceal, but big enough to damage.

     Griffin almost forgot to go to Mrs. Wilson, but ran over there as fast as he could when he realized that he had taken way longer than five minutes. He walked in the door and Penelope immediately hugged him. There had been tears in her eyes.

     "Griffin, where have you been? It's been thirteen minutes and I was worried. Nothing could have happened to you now I guess but still. Oh, come have a seat alright? I can make you some tea or coffee or sweets or something?"

     Griffin felt horrible because he couldn't tell her about the texts and she had been worrying about him. "Oh Mrs. Wilson, I'm alright. I only couldn't find my phone, that's all. If you want, you just sit and I will make you something to have, okay?"

     "Oh Griffin, thank you for the offer but I would like to make something. It would take my mind off of this right now and I like to do it anyway. You are my guest after all."

     "Alright Mrs. Wilson, you can make anything you like. Just not a lot, I can't eat an elephant and a horse like Xavier, okay?"

     Penelope sniffed her nose. "Yeah, he sure can eat a lot. I don't know where he got that from. Probably someone on his father's side. Thank you again for staying here. You don't have to stay long, George will be here soon."

     George was Xavier's father. He was really nice but worked during the day most of the time so Griffin usually saw Penelope when he came here.

     "Okay Mrs. Wilson, but I will stay as long as you want. Or until my mother calls me home, but Mr. Wilson should be here if she does. After you make something, we can do whatever you want. Play some cards, watch television, chill out, anything."

     Penelope had on a tiny smile. "Sure Griffin, that sounds nice."

°°°

     George came home not too long after, and Griffin had to tell him. It was something he didn't want to say, especially since he had the text messages. Griffin felt horrible, when he saw George's smile disappear.

     In a loud voice filled with terror and worry, George half yelled. "What do you mean by this Griffin?! It's not like he would ask anyone else for a ride! Did you anger him? What happened to Xavier?! Where is he?"

     This went on for about three minutes, and every minute felt worse and worse. After Griffin talked with Mr. Wilson, he was asked to leave. He left the house and noticed the sky was getting dark. He checked the time on his phone and it was seven. Four more hours until he would see who had taken Xavier.

Or did Xavier go willingly?
Whatever happened, Griffin needed to be ready.

°°°

Hello you wonderful people! I know, you'll have to wait to find out about Xavier. Haha, cliffhangers are the worst. But I see how well they work. This probably is my longest chapter so far with 1302 words. This came a little late because I have been super busy. I think it's late anyway. Oh well, see you all in the next chapter of this book (any mistakes?),
Peace!

(P.S. If the dots don't center, whatever. It's not really working I think...)