The Voices are Calling

three

"Bri?" I shouted, trying to get her attention.

"What?" She asked me, finally looking up from her computer screen.

"Do you know anyone that can like, find someone if you know their name?" I questioned, earning a suspicious look from her.

"Why?"

"I want to try and find someone. They live around here and I met them yesterday, but I had to leave before I could get much more than his name."

"I'll look into it for you, yeah?" She told me, so I nodded in agreement.

"Sounds good."

-

I already knew, from the moment I woke up this morning, today would be bad for me, for my mind. So when I got home that night, I know I shouldn't have gone straight to sleep. Maybe had a hot drink and calmed my jittery feelings down by watching a funny film. But no, stupid me decided giving myself nightmares would be a good idea. I can't remember the last time I got them, but they were always the same. A rerun of the worst moment in my life, when I was 16. It reminded me of Ashley, if his actions were anything to go by then maybe he is experiencing the same thing.

And that's when I knew it was my mission to find him again.

Maybe he was at the same park? On the same bench? I kept my optimism high as I climbed out of bed and pulled on my big winter coat over my pyjamas, and shoved on the first pair of shoes I could find. I grabbed my keys off the dining room table and headed out of the door.

When I got to the park, there was no sign of human life anywhere. I walked around a bit, secretly feeling sad he wasn't here; an empty feeling of loneliness creeping over me like the chill of the autumn night.

Suddenly I heard a twig snap underfoot, and someone running through the dry leaves on the ground. I heard them trip and cry out, so I ran over to where I thought the sound came from.

"Hello?" I shouted, hoping for a reply. Even if it wasn't Ashley, someone could need help.

"H-hello?" A quiet whisper answered me. I followed the sound as best as I could, and almost tripping over the person laying on the floor.

"Are you okay?" I asked them.

"Y-yeah I'll be fine." They replied. I reached out to help them get back up, and they grabbed onto my hand and pulled themselves up.

"A-andy?" The person questioned me. As soon as I heard their voice, a warm sensation filled me and I have no idea why.

"Ashley!" I proclaimed, going in for a gentle hug.