Written in the Rockstars (Completed)

Chapter 14- The Zombie

Annabel's P.O.V

Jack suggested that,  after officially getting nowhere, we should go home and continue our search in the morning.  I know that he fell asleep the second his head touched the pillow, but I didn't sleep a wink. My head was filled with terrifying scenarios and I flinched at the tiniest of noises,  worried that I was about to be murdered by Abbey.

I climbed out of bed at half four in the morning, pulling on a navy blue tracksuit and throwing my hair atop my head in an untidy bun. I didn't bother with make up, meaning that I resembled a zombie.  I wasn't hungry,  so shrugged on my coat,  intending on going in a search for my mum.

But...

" Annabel? "

I froze as Jack murmured my name.

" Where're you going? " he mumbled drowsily.

" To find mum," I replied.

" What time i-?" He faltered as he glanced at the clock, "What the heck?  Its quarter to five! "

I shrugged nonchalantly,  "I couldn't sleep."

"Ugh," he groaned,  "Give me fifteen minutes. "

He swung his legs around the side of the bed,  gathering all of his strength before dragging himself up. He changed into jeans,  a red t shirt and a green hoodie,  rubbing his eyes so that they appeared red and bloodshot.

" Lesgo," he mumbled,  almost inaudibly.

" Hm?"

" Let's.  Go," He answered, accentuating his words.

I shuffled down the stairs with Jack behind me, feeling exhausted.  He laced his fingers through mine and squeezed my hand encouragingly.  Unfortunately,  nothing could have encouraged me that everything was going to be okay.

"You drive, " I said.

" Okay. "

We climbed into his car and I pulled the crumpled instructions from my pocket.

" You sure you should trust those? " Jack asked,  his eyebrow raised.

" Dunno. But it's all we got,"  I shrugged,  unfolding the paper. 

Okay.  Joking over. Here's your first instruction:

Go to Barista's Lair.
Tell the Barista that you are meeting Rudi. He will know what you're talking about.  Rudi will give you the rest of the instructions.

Hint- With each instruction, I will say whether you are hot or cold in terms of how close you are to reaching your mum.

Frozen solid.

I showed Jack and he pursed his lips skeptically.

" Why doesn't she just give us all of the instructions?"

" That would be far too easy, " I scoffed.

" S'pose. D'you think she's teasing us by sending a messenger? " He asked.

" Probably, "I shrugged.

“ Let drive."

He switched the radio on,  keeping the sound low. The song playing was 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams and this time it didn't make me feel happy.  It made me feel worse.

Jack pulled up at 'Barista's Lair' and I took a deep breath,  bracing myself.

" Ready? " He whispered softly.

I nodded and clambered out of the car inelegantly. We entered the coffee shop and strolled straight over to the counter.

" We're here to see Rudi, " I told the Barista.  He nodded and pointed to a table where a young man- possibly the same age as me- with blonde hair was sitting casually at a table.

"Thanks."

We made our way towards Rudi's table and I suddenly felt incredibly self-conscious. I had left the house looking a mess. But that wasn't all. It only occurred to me then that the only way Rudi could be here at the same time as us would be if he-or another member of Abbey's 'fan' club- had been watching.  That thought alone creeped me out.

Rudi glanced up at me as we approached and I observed his cheeky face,  with what appeared to be a permanent smile that played at the corners of his mouth.  His deep blue eyes were like large expanses of sparkling ocean and...

" Annabel? " Jack prompted.

My face flushed and I cleared my throat.  "Rudi? "

He grinned,  "Yup."

"So... you've got some instructions for me?" I said,  thumping down on a seat across from him.

"Yup."

I expected him to hand them over.  But he didn't move.

" Is that all you say? " I asked,  grinning.

"Yup. "

" Fair enough, " I giggled.

" So... Can we have these instructions? " Jack asked.

Rudi hesitated for a moment.  "Nope. "

"Ah, it isn't all you say, " I noted.

Jack nudged me in the ribs as if to say- 'bad timing,  Annabel,' so I quietened down. Rudi ran his fingers through his hair, a gesture that always appeared nervous to me.

" Rudi? "

" Annabel.  I have something to tell you," he replied earnestly.