The Next Generation

Chapter 3

George was too stunned to react. He felt like a heavy weight had hit him in the chest. Josh's parents were gone too. It couldn't be a coincidence. George could hear the emotion cracking through Josh's voice, and knew that he sounded the same. "How did you find out?" he asked Josh.

"I woke up and they were gone," came the cracked answer from Josh. the boys said nothing for a few still minutes, until the wait became unbearable. "I think they are together somewhere," George blurted out. "They are probably out having a good time and doing things they've never done before, and they decided to leave us behind because we would be too much of a hassle," George confirmed.

"They think they would have to look after us and treat us like babies," Josh said stunned. "They think we're useless," George sadly admitted. He still couldn't comprehend his sudden loss. "What if it was a kidnapping?" Josh suddenly yelled. "What if someone wants something from us, and they would do anything for it? What if someone is hurting them right now, and we're complaining and moping about how they don't love us?"

"What if this is a joke," George interjected calmly. "What if they are standing outside the front door right now, waiting for us to open it and hug them. Lets not panic," George had surprised himself with his new state if mind, but was pleased that he had said what he said. His new mood had apparently rubbed off on Josh too, because the 16 year-old had stopped shouting and crying. "Ok. I'll calm down," That's when the texts flooded in.

George dived onto the couch and grabbed his sleek iPhone 6. He had text messages from almost all of his friends. Most if them said stuff like "Dude, my parents are gone!" or "Have you seen my parents?", but there was one that caught George's eye. it was extremely long, and it was from the girl he liked, Tessa. Tessa was a goddess in George's mind, so he was shocked that she had texted him. The text said,

"Hey George. My parents are missing. Do you know where they are? They left a note but I couldn't read it. Do you wanna come over and help me? I'm sure you do ;). See you then," George put down his phone with a smile on his face. Tessa wanted him to come over! He was in such a trance that he almost forgot about all of the other texts. He read them again, and realized something. Everyones parents were gone. It could be a kidnapping. It could be mass murder. Possibilities flew through Georges head. He almost didn't notice his phone ringing in the background. When he had reorganized his brain, he licked up the cold phone. He listened to his ringtone of 'All About That Base' for a little bit, before answering the call. It was from his worst enemy, Larissa. He forced himself to listen to her pitchy voice. "Hey Geoooooooooorge," she said, her traditional greeting. "All the peasants from school have called me to say that their parents are missing, or have disappeared. Can you tell them to shut up? I'm tired if their complaints." she squeaked in her annoying voice.

George wasn't really paying attention, but he decided to ask her what she knew. "Where are your parents?" he asked here expecting the same result as all his other friends, which was usually 'I don't know!' "They're watching TV in the lounge, as always," she explained. "What?" George asked in a puzzled voice "They're right here. I don't know where anyone else's are. Maybe they thought I was too cool to be messed with," she cockily answered. "Yeah, sure," George sarcastically replied. "Can I see them?" George asked

"Fine. Come over quick. I think something's wrong though," and with that she hung up. George grabbed his favourite jacket, and started running to Larissa's house.