Vanished

Meeting The Mysterious

I choked on those words.

"She's alive?" I questioned.

"Don't give up hope so fast, young boy," the voice said.

"Where is she?" I barked.

"We don't do commands. Or favors," the voice growled.

"We?" I asked.

"Yes, we," the voice sounded annoyed.

"What do I have to do?" I replied, reluctantly.

"You have to give us Brittany for Ari," the voice chuckled.

My head was spinning, I felt like I was going to pass out.

"And if I don't..what will happen to Ari?" I regretted saying the words, because I already knew the answer.

"She'll die," the voice sounded unconcerned.

"I'll do it," I whispered.

"Wonderful!" I heard a clapping sound.

"What will happen to Brittany?" I felt guilty for saying yes.

"We'll keep her safe," the voice spat.

Safe. I didn't even know what that word meant anymore.

Safe wasn't in your own house.

Safe wasn't in the company of your loved ones.

Safe wasn't anywhere.

Safe wasn't anyone.

"Where do we meet?" I felt my eyes water.

Crying doesn't mean you're weak, not necessarily. It makes you stronger, somehow.

"The field, I'm sure you know where that is, am I right?" The voice was cold and harsh.

"How do I know you'll give me Ari?" I never thought about it being a scam before.

"Do you mistrust us, boy?" The voice snapped.

"I-I don't know," I stuttered.

"Very well," the voice yawned. The lights went on, but there was no one, just an empty white room.

There was a small window in the corner.

"Look in the window," the voice whispered.

I hesitantly walked over to the window.

Inside was a girl. She looked beaten down, and was pushing the walls. Tears streamed down her face.

She was screaming, but I couldn't hear what she was saying. Her lips mouthed the words, 'help me'

She looked me straight in the eyes, and her lips mouthed the words, 'Jeremy'

"Ari," I whispered.