Written in the Rockstars (Completed)

Chapter 23-Advancing

Annabel's P.O.V

I pulled up outside of the Barista's Lair. The only theory I had was that Rudi had left the instructions for finding my mum here.  If he hadn't,  I was doomed.

I pushed the door open,  almost colliding with a plump lady with bleached hair.

"Watch where you're going! " She snapped,  before waddling out of the door with purpose.

I wandered over to the counter casually,  trying not to make myself look suspicious in any way.

"Hi there, love.  Can I help you? " A young woman with flowing black hair was standing behind the counter.

" Yes. A few weeks ago, a man called Rudi was in here.  My name is Annabel Anderson and I was wondering if he left any instructions in here for me? " I explained.

" Oh. One second,  I'll ask the manager. "

She hurried out from behind the counter and tapped a man on his shoulder with a long,  red talon.

They conversed for a few minutes,  before he glanced up at me and nodded at the female barista. She returned behind the counter and handed me some papers.

" These are the papers Rudi intended on giving to you," She said, smiling.

I took the creased papers and grinned stupidly.  I was going to save my mum.

~●~●~

After staying for a celebratory Frappuccino,  I booked into the nearest hotel.  I decided that I needed a good night's sleep in order to take on Abbey the next day. 

I lay on the hotel bed, staring at the yellowing ceiling.  Suddenly, I thought of Jack.  I felt a pang of guilt as I realised how worried he must have been.

I tried arguing with myself,  saying that he shouldn't be so selfish, thinking that my mum should just get left to die.

Regardless of anything I argued,  I couldn't diminish the knot of guilt growing tighter and tighter in my stomach.

I switched the bedside light on and rummaged in the drawer for the instructions.  I hadn't even read them. I was probably too scared that I would have to do something crazy, like fly to Canada in a speeding jet,  sky dive from it, and then go bungee jumping over Niagara Falls.

Okay,  so maybe that's slightly dramatic. 

I unfolded the instructions and frowned:

Let's quit messing around.

Come to this address:

14A Snowdon Close,
Aberystwyth.

I couldn't quite believe it.  Abbey had just given me the exact location of her- and therefore my mum's- whereabouts. Of course, it was blatantly a trap. But I didn't have a choice.  I needed to save mum. Jack said that Abbey was going to kill me if he couldn't convince me that she wasn't the kidnapper.  So, all I could do was look comically shocked and use my own powers of persuasion to convince her that I had no idea that it was her.

I mean, I didn't have any other options!

I folded the paper and returned it to the drawer,  folding it into a neat square. I then retrieved my phone from my jacket pocket and tapped Create.

To: Jack

Your message: I'm sorry.  I'm okay.  I love you. X

I tapped Send and sighed. I hoped that that would settle his mind. I missed him.  But I needed to do this.

"Im coming,  Abbey. "