A Way Out

Chapter 7: Jacob

"This doesn't make any sense." I said looking at the birthday card. I set it into the console to continue driving. I had pulled over earlier to have a serious conversation with Bayley about the current situation we are in. We had to form some kind of plan of action before we just barge in and save Alexa. This person could have guns, a army, or he could kidnap us before we even get to our destination.

"You're right, it doesn't, but why us?"

"I wish I could answer that."

"Poor Alexa." Bayley says grabbing the card from the console. I keep my eyes on the road as if it would just make a magic pathway to take us to her. I pull into a big stop gas station. "What are we doing?" Asks Bayley.

"I'm filling up" I say like in an obvious way. "Also, we need some snacks. Do you need to use the washroom. Cause now would be the time to."

"No, not really." she gets out of the car and walks into the store. I fill up the car, pay, and drive it into a parking spot to let the other cars waiting in line to do the same. That's one thing I absolutely hate, when someone fills up and leaves the car at the pump to go get their stuff inside. Meanwhile, you're stuck for like 15 minutes waiting for this person to stop having a conversation with their buddy they ran into.

I grab my wallet and phone then head inside. There are people everywhere eating, talking, in line for the bathroom. I start to feel overwhelmed by the amount of bodies in the room. The only thing on my mind is to find Bayley, but I can't see her anywhere. She must be in the bathroom. There's no need to panic. Two minutes pass and I go back outside to the car to see if she's there, but she wasn't. I go back inside and call her like an overprotective parent. I hear her cellphone going off in the distance. I follow the sound to find her phone which was laying on the floor. I pick it up seeing my face with the answer and deny call buttons. My legs went numb. I lost Bayley in a gas station. Is the only thing I could think and how I'd lost her. It's like a herd of elephants just arrived because all of the sudden the amount of noise and people in here was like how impossible it is to count stars. Now is the time to panic. I just catch myself doing circles thinking of which direction to go. I pace back and forth as I look up as many places I can before my whole body becomes numb. I can feel my blood pressure start to rise and the sudden feeling of cold, nausea and dizziness. I need air.
Air.
Air.
Air.
Air.
I can't breathe. It feels like someone has grabbed my lungs and is holding them shut so they can't get air. Someone asks if I'm okay. I answer like I always do when someone asks if I'm okay.
"Yeah, she was just a friend." I pass out onto the floor. I wake up to everyone peering their heads over looking at me. The first thing that comes to my mind, "Bayley," I gasp and get up as everyone looks very concerningly at me. "I need help looking for my friend. Has anyone seen her." I try to bob my head over all the faces to see if I see a familiar face. Nothing. Everyone shakes their heads while looking at each other. I feel myself starting to panic again. "I'm fine seriously." I say, but even hearing myself, I don't sound that convincing.

"No one faints for no particular reason." One says and I nod.

"Well, I'm fine. Just help me please." Nobody moved.

"Come on guys, please." I say like a two year old about to have a temper tantrum. I hope they hear the panic in my voice.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Another says.

"Trust me, I'm fine. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be begging you to let me go, please." They subside, and I feel relief overflow my body. I run trying to find her. Nothing. "Bayley," I call. Nothing. She's gone. I hang my head and feel the tears starting to come. How is this even possible? I look at my phone thinking what I should do next. I notice as the screen lights up the missed call notification. It's from Bayley. I call her back immediately. A few seconds and the line picks up. "Bayley, Hello," I say, "Where are you?" No answer. "Bayley? Hello?" Still no answer. I start to freak out again due to the silence. I start to cry. "Come on Bayley." No answer. The line dies and I lean the back of my head against the wall and slowly slide down to sit. I lost Bayley. I put my face in my head and rub it as if I was rubbing off all my feelings. I collect myself before getting back up to decide my next plan of action. I wipe my tears, and go around the corner, bumping into someone.