It All Started With An App

Chapter 9

I had never felt so scared in my life. For once it seemed I couldn't find an easy solution to my problems. I had to go. My parents lives were on the line.

Charlie knew more than I did. What did he mean when we're not safe? Was I about to be sold into human trafficking? Or maybe I was about to become a gang member?

I shook my head trying to rid my mind of these troubling thoughts. I was overreacting. I had to be.

After I had worn the thickest coat I could find and packed my bag with all my essentials I needed, I closed my bedroom door and looked at it for one last time. I had a gut feeling I wouldn't be able to see it in a long time.

Even though I hadn't even left my house yet I was already starting to miss my parents. The funny thing was I didn't even spend much time with them and when I did have the time I couldn't.

I snuck down the staircase in a hurry careful not to be loud to wake my parents. Then I opened our front door and closed it gently and made way to the cafe.

****
I sat in one of the booths by myself and sipped my caramel latte to calm my nerves. Checking the time I realised it was 5 minutes to 7. Which just happened to be when the cafe closed.

Could that be a coincidence?

With my caramel latte in my hand I walked out of the cafe before any of the workers asked me to. When I came outside I didn't expect Pippa, Roman, Lexi, Chandler, Onyx and Michael to be there waiting for me.

I looked at everyone of them confused. "What are you doing here?"

Pippa placed her hand on her waist annoyed. "Are you kidding me? You texted me saying we should all meet here."

I shook my head. "I didn't text you anything."

Lexi sighed dissapointed. "Please don't tell me you wasted my time. I was in the middle of my evening yoga."

Chandler turned to Lexi smirking. "I didn't know you did yoga. Could I possibly join next time?"

"We both know that will never happen Chandler."

Onyx looks at me pissed too. "I was in the middle of drawing for my art project. I don't have much time to finish it as well."

Roman joins in and starts to complain too. "I was in the middle of writing my essay. Well not in the middle -- but I was finally starting it."

"Look I'm sorry for disturbing you all but I swear I didn't send you a text message. I'll even show you."

I zip open my backpack and fish for my phone. Once I found it I went onto WhatsApp and showed Pippa the messages.

Pippa pointed at the message. "There it is in black and white -- you sent me that message."

I rub my eyes and look at it again. But I know for definite I did not send it.

"What the actual fu--"

"--You have nothing to say now huh?"

But I'm not looking at the messages anymore. I'm looking at the white van that just pulled up and has muscular burly men pouring out of it and they're all running in our direction.

"RUN!" I scream

We dart away as fast as our legs can take us. Only we're not fast enough. Each one of the men catch to up toward with a matter of seconds and grab a hold of us, shoving us into the back of the van like light-weight boxes.

Before we can protest a syringe is injected into our systems. My eyes start to feel heavy and I struggle to keep them open. Then I let my eyelids close and let the darkness succumb me.