No More Secrets (Book 2)

7. Passing Notes

I had no way of knowing if Jenny got my message back to Dylan. The more time that went by, the more I started to worry that maybe that wasn't Jenny. Or if it was, that she, for some reason, couldn't get to Dylan. What if no one ever found me here?

Eventually, the sun started to rise, throwing faint rays of light into the room. My stomach was growling so loudly now, there was nothing I could do to stop it. I was going nearly twenty-four hours without food now. I didn't know how much longer I could handle being locked up in here.

A loud bang echoed through the small room. I jerked my head up, searching for a source to the sound, but found nothing. It almost sounded like a door slamming in the next room, but I couldn't be positive.

I started to wonder if there were people around. Live people, not ghosts.

But why would there be living people? I was in a tiny room with no doors and only one little window. There was no way I was anywhere near civilization.

But it couldn't hurt to try to get someone's attention, right?

"Help!" I screamed. My voice cracked a little but I cleared my throat and tried again. "Help! I'm in here! Anyone?"

Only silence answered me. I sighed, leaning back against the wall. There was no use in trying.

I was going to die here. I was never going to get out. I'll never see Dylan again, or get to tell him how much I love him one more time. We'll never get married.

My eyes started to water. I was too young to die. Nobody would ever find me here. Dylan was going to think I ran away from him, if Jenny wasn't the one to come here last night.

Then I felt a hand on my arm again. I blinked away the tears. "Jenny?"

Two taps.

I sighed in relief. "Oh man, I wish I could actually talk to you. I need to get out of here. Do you know a way out?"

One tap.

"Of course not." She could easily get in and out, since she was dead. And even if she could find a way for me to get out, she wouldn't be able to tell me anything. "Wait," I said, suddenly remembering the ghost that took me here yesterday. "The ghost grabbed me and teleported me here. Can you do that? You can touch me, that's got to be at least a good start, right?"

I felt Jenny's hands grab hold of both of my arms. For a moment, nothing happened. She was probably trying to move me, but it obviously wasn't working. Then her hands disappeared.

I let out another sigh. There was no use. I was officially stuck here, with absolutely no possible way out. Not even Jenny could help me.

Some time later - how much time had passed, I didn't know - I felt a hand on my arm again. The next thing I knew, a piece of paper was on the floor in front of me, folded in half.

I quickly picked it up, unfolding it. I instantly recognized Dylan's handwriting and let out a sigh of relief. Then I read:

Trav,

I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. Jenny told me as much as she could about where you are, but it's not much. She said she can't get anywhere outside of that room you're in. I don't even know if she'll even be able to get this note to you, but I need her to keep trying until she can. We're not giving up on you, Trav. Never. I need you to come home.

I love you.

Dyl

I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. "Thank you," I whispered to Jenny. Sometimes I wish I had gotten to know her better when she was still alive. But she was just Dylan's little sister back then. She annoyed his friends when we hung out at his place. After we started dating, Dylan tried keeping me away from the house as much as possible, too afraid of what his parents would think if they found out, so I couldn't try to get to know Jenny better.

But at least I was able to know her now, as strange as the situation may be. She might be the only reason I ever make it out of this place. Her and Dylan.

"Tell Dylan it's not his fault," I said, unsure where to look. "And I'll get out of here. I will. I don't know how yet, but I'll get home to him. I have to." I didn't even know if Jenny was still here, listening. Her hand had disappeared off me when she dropped the note. But I had to keep talking. "I love Dylan more than anything in the world. He means too much to me to ever let go of. You, too, Jenny. Thank you for everything you've done and what you're trying to do. It means a lot."

I still couldn't tell if Jenny was in the room or not, but it didn't matter. My attention was drawn to the little window. If I could break the glass, I might just be able to fit through it. The only question would be how I could break it.

There was nothing in the room I could use, at least, nothing visible. I stood up, ready to hunt for even a small rock. But when I stood, the room spun. I put my hand on the wall to keep myself steady. Man, I really needed to eat.

Once the room stilled, I got to work. I checked every corner and in any spot that might possible hide something small and solid.

Unfortunately, the room wasn't very large, with almost no places for a rock or anything to hide. I sat back down in defeat. There was no way I was going to force myself out of here. What was the point in even trying?