Dream Haunters(NaNoWriMo2014)

Chapter 8: Kidnapped

The shock. The pain. The knowledge. What do you do with a variety like this? Forget it all? Move on? Remember it? Save it? Spill your feelings?

Also, Mum doesn't know I do believe in Dream Haunters. I do. I am actually haunted by them. Well, at least I think that. But knowing your long lost brother is one of the things causing your sorrow, your pain, is...is heart-breaking.

Does Brad even remember me? Does he know he's haunting me? Probably no to both of those. I decide to play along like I have no idea Dream Haunters are real. "Uh, Mum. You told me Dream Haunters were long gone."

"I know I did. It was a shock to me, even when I found they were real and my son was, well, part of there little group." I can see tears running down Mum's cheeks, just like they roll down mine.

I take a deep breath and push my cold stew to the side. "I'm going to take a walk." Mum nods her head and I go to the closet. I pick out my big, brown winter coat and put it on. "Bye." I make a movement toward the door when Mum reads my mind.

"I'm sure he remembers you."

I open the door and go in to the cold Fall air. I stand on the porch for a few minutes, processing all that I just heard. I start my walk slowly, walking past the colourful doors on Glover Road. I lower my head. Not even the colourful doors can cheer me up right now.

I don't think Brad remembers me. I think. He probably doesn't even remember my name.

But I remember Brad so clearly. He was a tall 7 year old brother with dark hair and eyes. His skin was the colour of mine, a light brown. He was a nice brother. He loved me. We used to go running through the park with a kite. He never met Lacey…well, maybe he met baby Lacey. I honestly don’t remember. But Brad was my favourite person in the world. My role model. The person I looked up to. Now he’s just someone that hurts people.

I notice even the smallest things right now. The rat hiding in that corner. The name of that store. The mother cradling her child in that dark corner. Nothing seems to go past my eyes.

I run my hand through my hair, stopping my walk for a little while. I feel the cold, crisp air on my face. I love this weather. It is so nice. It feels good. I love Fall. Its so beautiful with its colours. And since I draw, its so inspirational.

I turn on to Crester Road and see the place my friend works. His store is called “Sweet Café” and old man Herbert who always talks in riddles, is my best friend. It is sort of weird how people so far in age can bond. Now he is my best friend. Herb always gives me a fresh- and free- blueberry muffin when I come, and it really helps me at times like this. So I decide to give him a visit. Maybe he won’t talk in a riddle and give me some useful information. I walk throughout the doors of the café . Herbert comes up from behind the counter. “Oh, if it isn’t the most wonderful girl, Emily!” He says, stretching his arms wide, meaning he wants a hug. I hug him and he squeezes me tight. He’s the closest I have to a Dad since my Grandpa’s live so far away in Scotland.

“Hi, Herb.” I say quietly, so I’ll have effect and he’ll give me a free muffin.

“Does someone look grumpy and sad today?” Herb says, disappearing behind the counter for a second.

“Does someone want a blueberry muffin?” I nod and Herb hands me a freshly baked blueberry muffin. I bite in to it and the flavour explodes in my mouth. The warm blueberries feel good against my frozen tongue.

“Yum,” I smile. “Thanks Herb.”  I bite in to the muffin again. Its so heavenly.

“So why’d you come? Other than the muffin of course.” He smiles and takes a bite of a banana chocolate chip muffin. 

“I need your help,” I say, glancing out the window. “Will you help me?”

“Of course, Emily.” Says Herb. “What do you need help with?”

“Some heartbreaking family business that is making you depressed. What do you do?” I spit it out, and hope he wont give me one of those wisdom-y, riddle responses.

“Smile. After clouds of despair and drakness comes happiness and brightness.” Great. That response definitely helped. I sigh.

“Thanks, Herb.” I jump off the chair I was sitting on and wave. “Bye.”

“Bye, Em!” Says Herb, waving back. “Good luck with the family!” I sigh again and walk out the door. I shiver a bit. It was so warm and nice inside, now its so chilly and cold. I stretch my arms and continue on my walk. My phone beeps in my pocket and I take it out. Its a text message from my friend Megan. I sigh. She can go on talking for hours! She just doesn't stop!

The message says, Rumour has it Lacey's in the hospital. True or false?

I quickly text back, True. 

I wait a minute or two and a message pops on to the screen of my phone. 

Awww:( Tell her I hope she gets better. Megan texts. I feel a small tear on my eye, because most likely, Lacey won't get better.

I will. Gotta go now. Bye! I text and put my phone back in its resting place in my pocket. I look up and find myself on a road that I am not familiar with. There's broken down shops, with holes in there windows, theres stray cats running around. Its a creeepy street, full of creepy things.

How did I get here...? I think. How coud've I got on such an un-familiar street in a three minute glance at my phone? Oh well.

I decide to find a open shop if there is any and ask for directions. I start walking toward a shop call, "Tuxedo's For Any Occasion", that looks hopeful.

I walk past a darkened ally, and freeze, thinking I see something. 

Suddenly, I'm hit in the back of my head, and I fall to the ground, blacked out.