The Volunteer

Chapter 1

It was a clear day. Marcia and Greg Brady were on their way to the school fair, not knowing this could've been the last time they'd see their family.
"What do you think they'll have us do?" Marcia asked. Both had given up a Saturday to help out at the fair.
"Who knows," Greg replied.
"I think this will fun," Marcia said.
"Remember to be careful," Greg reminded her. It was the words of wisdom their mother gave them before they left the house that morning.
"What's there to be careful of? It's a school fair, one of the most safest places there is," Marcia said. She knew to be careful, but really did think that nothing bad could happen at a meaningless school fair.
"But still be careful. Something bad could happen anywhere. And with our family something goes wrong everyday," Greg said.
"I'll still be careful, but it's just a school fair. A lot of people will be there. Not much goes wrong when there's a large crowd," Marcia said, ending the conversation.
Through out the day Marcia was right. Not much did happen with the large crowd there. But when the crowd started to thin out and the fair was closing for the day, something horrible happened.
Marcia was closing up the booth she had helped out with that day when a strange man came up to her.
"Excuse me, do you mind pointing me in the direction of a telephone?" the man asked.
"Not at all, the phones are this way," Marcia said as she began to lead him to the payphones. Then the man grabbed her.
"Let me go!" Marcia shouted. Greg heard her and ran over to her. That's when he saw the man trying to grab her.
"Hey, let her go," Greg said. The man looked at him then at Marcia. Then he grabbed Greg too.
"Let us go!" Marcia shouted. The man ignored her request and pulled them away from the fair.
"Let us go," Greg and Marcia said. Greg had been trying to break away from the man, but when they got to a van another man came up to them.
"Grab the girl," the man said. the other man nodded and grabbed Marcia, who managed to get away.
"Run, Marcia!" Greg shouted. Marcia tried, but got caught again. Then Greg bit the man holding him. The man smacked Greg. Greg hit his head on a wall and fell face first on the ground.
"Greg!" Marcia shouted.
"Shut up," the man said. Marcia glared at them as they pushed her into the back of the van and then threw in Greg. The door closed and Marcia was surrounded by the darkness.

Mr. Brady walked into the dinning room for dinner.
"Where's Greg and Marcia?" he asked.
"Haven't they gotten back from the fair yet?" Mrs. Brady asked.
"Marcia said that she wanted to help out a little longer," Jan replied.
"And what about Greg?" Mr. Brady asked.
"He figured if Marcia was staying a little later, then it should be fine for him too," Peter said.
"So they're both at the fair?" Mr. Brady looked at Mrs. Brady.
"I talked to Marcia on the phone. She said she'd be home in time for dinner," Cindy said.
"When was that?" Mrs. Brady asked.
"About an hour ago," Cindy replied.
"Mike, what are we going to do? Both Greg and Marcia aren't home yet," Mrs. Brady said. Mr. Brady thought for a minute.
"We'll call the police. Surely they'd know what to do," Mr. Brady said. He went to the phone and called the police.
"What did they say?" Mrs. Brady asked when Mr. Brady got off the phone.
"They've got two officers on the way to ask us some questions. They'll be here any minute," Mr. Brady replied.
"Why would they ask us questions?"
"I don't know. I guess we'll find out when they get here," Mr. Brady said. Then the doorbell rang.
"I've got it!" Alice said as she emmerged from the kitchen.
"Do you think Greg and Marcia will be alright?" Jan asked.
"I don't know. That depends on what the cops say," Peter replied.
"What if the cops don't find them?' Bobby asked.
"They'll find them. They've gotta," Cindy replied.
"Mr. Brady, it's the cops," Alice said.
"Send them in," Mr. Brady replied. Then the two officers entered the living room following Alice.
"Mr. Brady, I'm Officer Malloy and this is my partner, Officer Reed. Could you tell us how two of your children went missing?" one of the cops said.
"Well, we just found out. And we've called all their friend's houses. None of their friends have seen them since the fair at their school. And they're not back yet, which isn't like either of them," Mrs. Brady said, getting a little hysterical.
"It's going to be alright, Mrs. Brady. My partner and I will find your missing kids," Officer Malloy said.
"But what if you can't?" Mrs. Brady asked.
"Don't worry about that. As far as you're concerned, there's always hope that they'll come through the front door," Officer Malloy said.
"But what if you find them dead?" Peter asked from the table.
"Peter, finish your dinner," Mr. Brady said.
"Look, kids, my partner and I will make sure that your two older siblings will return home safely. So, just like your mother, you four have nothing to worry about," Officer Malloy said.
"Do you mind if we take a look around?" Officer Reed asked.
"Why?" Mrs. Brady asked in return.
"There might be some sort of clues as to their disappearences around the house. Things like odd letters, a pre packed bag, amung other things," Officer Reed replied.
"Oh okay," Mrs. Brady said.
"Carol, why don't you go eat. I'll show the police around," Mr. Brady said. Mrs. Brady nodded and took her seat at the table again. Then Mr. Brady showed the two officers upstairs to look around.
"Uh, this is the girl's room. Marcia, Jan, and Cindy share it," Mr. Brady said as he showed them the room.
"Where would Marcia keep anything of value?" Officer Malloy asked.
"I'm not sure. I think one of the other girls might know," Mr. Brady said.
"I know where," Cindy said from the doorway.
"Where?" Officer Reed asked.
"I better not say. If Marcia found out I showed someone she'll be real mad," Cindy replied.
"I'm sure she won't mind. Considering the circumstances, she would be glad," Officer Reed said. Cindy thought for a minute.
"But why would she be glad?"
"Because showing us could save her life."
"Why is her life in danger?"
"Look, Cindy, Greg and Marcia have gone missing. These two policemen are here to help find them. Now, where would Marcia hide something of importance?" Mr. Brady said.
"Oh okay. You promise she won't get mad?" Cindy questioned.
"I promise, Cindy," Mr. Brady said. Cindy nodded and showed Officers Malloy and Reed where Marcia would hide something.
"There's nothing here. What about Greg?" Officer Malloy asked.
"This way," Mr. Brady said. He led officers Malloy and Reed through the bathroom and into the boy's room.
"Is this the boy's room?" Officer Reed asked.
"Yes, Peter and Bobby sleep on the bunk bed and Greg sleeps on the single bed," Mr. Brady replied.
"Well, maybe we'll have a little more luck here," Officer Malloy said.
After an hour of looking Malloy and Reed had given up and talked about the case. They settled on a rival of the family or parents.
"Mr and Mrs. Brady, we would like to ask you if there anyone you could think of that would wish ill will on your family. This can include kidnapping," Officer Reed said.
"I can't think of anybody," Mrs. Brady replied.
"I can't either," Mr. Brady said.
"Maybe the housekeeper would know," Officer Malloy said.
"No, I don't think so. She seemed pretty surprised that Greg and Marcia were the two kidnapped," Officer Reed replied. Then the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Alice called as she went to the door.
"What is it, Alice?" Mrs. Brady asked.
"Oh just a little note," Alice replied. She had a small look of worry on her face as she handed the note to Malloy.
"What does it say?" Mrs. Brady asked.
"It says that if you don't pay at least $1,00 by next week, neither Greg or Marcia will be found," Malloy said.
"Are you sure?" Mr. Brady asked.
"I'm positive," Officer Malloy said as he showed him the note.