It Was The Best of Times, It Was The Worst of Times

Six

Day Two

I don't want to write to you, Josh. You'll never read it, even if you come back. For one, I would never, not in a million years, let you read something I wrote. You just make jokes about it. Second, you're not a reader. You're more of a picture person. And I'm not an artist. Similarly, I'm a words person and you're not a writer. Do you remember when you asked why it wouldn't work? I told you that we were so different. We fought all the time over small things and big things that were deal-breakers. We fought about everything. We don't fight as much now, which is why I said, "fought" past tense. It's not because I think you won't come back. It's not because I think you're dead.

The police agree with me but it seems like your parents are already looking for your body. I went online to check he news and in a different tab there was a search for gravestones. It's like you're already dead. You're not. I like to think that I'd know if my friend was alive. Yeah, we're friends. Don't expect any more than that.

The police promised that they'd put out a public announcement. They did. I wanted to know if anyone had found anything- the media always seems to know this stuff before everyone else.

Joshua Adler- 16

Police are asking for information about his disappearance.

They didn't say kidnapped, they said 'abducted' as if you were taken by aliens. They didn't say you were missing, they said you had 'disappeared' as if you were he one who got to control when you come back. No one seemed to understand why I was so upset about their word choice, but I think you would have. You sometimes seem to understand me more than I understand myself.

Yesterday Leah and I went around town to talk. She wanted milkshakes just after midnight. You were asleep. I saw you. You were drooling. We got home and the adults were sort of panicking. We decided to sleep on it and if you weren't back, we'd call the police. My question is this: what have you done to get yourself kidnapped? Did you sneak out and provoke someone? Did you take a morning jog (don't think I haven't noticed) and you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Are you just setting this up to screw with us?

We came home from the police station and the house was a disaster. It was as if someone was looking for something, threw everything out of the way onto the floor, and didn't pick up. On the table, there were three pictures. One was entirely black. One was lighter and you could make out a silhouette. The last was just a picture of chains up on the wall and deep scratch marks chipping the paint.

Where are you?

I was questioned yesterday, and Lee and I have to go in again today. I'm sitting here waiting for her, it's my turn next. Yesterday we were all in different rooms waiting for someone to come in. It took hours. After I was questioned, a psychologist came in and was telling me about how she knows that it's hard to loose a friend like that. I told her that you weren't dead. She asked how I knew. I said that it's because I know you, and there was no way you'd let someone get the better of you so quickly. She didn't argue, but I knew that she was still skeptical.

After a while of talking, primarily about you, she told me that I should keep a diary writing to you every single day. I didn't write one yesterday because I thought the idea was stupid. I am now because I just figured that I would give it a shot, you would want me to, I think. You inspired me. Do you remember how you said you hated air hockey? And that broccoli made you throw up? And that you couldn't run because you thought you had asthma? Do you remember how now you run every morning, you can beat almost anyone (you still can't get the best of Lee, so I'd say she's still number one!) in air hockey, and you complimented me when I made broccoli salad last year for the picnic. You came a long way, so I thought I'd try it. And you know what? I think it's actually sort of helping me.

This is the second day you've been missing, but I still don't know if the first 48 ends today, or if it ended yesterday. Remember, you were missing the day before, we just hadn't reported it. We wanted you to come home, Josh. The first 48 hours of an investigation are crucial. I know that it's usually associated with murder, but i think it can still be applied in this situation.

Brayden came over when he saw your picture on the news. He sat there and force fed me while I cried. Leah and I were both so scared. We were crying so hard that we both threw up. We couldn't hold anything down. I don't know why our bodies do that, but you know what I mean, right? Brayden was feeding me and making me drink lots and lots of water. He told me that it was important to stay hydrated. He took care of all of us, really, though I think he paid more attention to me. I was polite and I really did appreciate his help, but I just wanted you to be there because then it would all be okay.

We're going to find you soon, Josh. I've been called into the questioning room again. I'll do anything I can to help them find you. We all just want you back home.

Hugs,

Alyssa

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Dedicated to my new friend @alquraany.