A Bounty of Pictures

Chapter 11

"Uh, hi. I guess." I say unsure. "Who is this?"

"That's unimportant at the moment." The man pushes aside my question. I can hear the sound of a chair squeaking as he lays back. "The name of your friend is Parker Wright, correct?"

"Maybe. It depends on which friend you're talking about." I put the man on speaker and text Parker.

"That is a good point. How about the person you just messaged?"

"Excuse me?" I ask and look around. But no one's in sight. I step a bit closer towards the crowd.

Swearing I heard the man chuckle he said, "I am not where you are. A friend of mine is though.  That is besides the point. Your friend Parker Wright has curly brown hair and a bit tall."

"Sure." I say.

"Bring Parker and yourself to 897 Fairmont Lane, tomorrow at seven p.m. precisely.  Bring no one else."

"Why?" I ask. Parker jumps over the fields fence and jogs over.

"I have a gift you may want."

"Why at that location?" I ask. I look Parker in his brown eyes. "Why at 897 Fairmont Lane?"

Parker types the address in his phone.

"You will see." The man's voice is not as calm and welcoming as it seemed. "I must go. Good night Miss Jansen."

"He hung up." I raise my hands.

"Call him back!" Parker yells. I hit the number in recent calls but nothing happens. No ring. No voice mail.

"I can't." I say. I shove my phone in my pocket and scratch my head. Parker opens his mouth.
"Can we not talk about this right now?"

"I think we need to." Parker reaches out to take my hand but I walk away.  I glance over my shoulder to see if he'd follow but he doesn't. His eyes mix with sadness and anger.

I find my group of friends again in the crowd in time for the candles to be lit. Josie hands me a candle as the candle's flame next to us is met with the thin rope.  I look up at Will and his flame touches my wick. He gives a hopeful smile then I pass the flame to Josie. Everyone stands for a moment of silence. The music stops. The only sound was a soft cry or a bag being shifted.  Someone's arm brushes my elbow. Parker slips in between me and Will. I avoid eye contact when he reaches to hold my hand.

"Where's Seth?" I whisper.

"I don't know." He shakes his head.

"What?" I tear my eyes from the orange flame, "what do you mean?"

"I couldn't find him when I went in the locker room."

"Parker, he was insane when I ran out." I raise my voice a little. A freshman asks us to be quiet.  I blow out both our candles and pull Parker behind me, back to the metal bleachers.
"We need to find him."

"I'll call him.  Ask the parents at the gates." I nod and run towards the gates. A group of parents wear pins with Peyton's picture on them.

I ask them if they've seen Seth and none of them say they have.  Claire stands at the student council table.

"Claire, have you seen Seth?" I ask.

"Yeah, he said he was going home." Claire tucks a blonde piece of hair behind her ear.  "Is there a problem?"

"Maybe. We don't know." I say thank you and run towards Parker waiting by the bleachers.
"Claire said he was going home."

Parker nods, "okay. I think I'm going home. I'll see you tomorrow."

" Is everything okay?" I ask.

"Yeah. I'm just tired." He waves and walks to the parking lot. I ponder going after him but he walks out of sight too quick.

Short chapter, sorry guys! :( and I'm still looking for a gif to put at the top.  Thank you again for your patience!
-Angela