The Hollow Heart

The kidnapping

"110... 111... 112..."

"August! Mama said come inside already! It's getting dark"

I looked up to see my little sister pouting putting on a sad face, I got to my feet smiling.

"Why do you have that smug look on your face?"

"Nothing just thinking about something..." trailing off looking at the sky

My sister looked at me in confusion then shook her head.

"August, you think about the weirdest things...anyways mama wants you to come in."

As my sister walked off I looked up at the sky, I noticed the first star of the night, I don't think I've ever seen the first star of the night shine so bright before.

As I walked inside I could smell pot roast coming from the kitchen "Mom, do you need any help with anything?" I shouted.

"Oh no dear, just wash up before dinner"

As I started walking towards the bedroom I saw my sister laying on the floor in fathers study. I stopped by the door looking at Jane, she glanced up at me.

"What is it August?"

I had a million thoughts going threw my head but all I could do was sit next to my sister

"Auuuuugust" she whined "what's wrong?"

I couldn't shake the feeling like I was running out of time, but what was I running out of time for.As my brain was lost in thought my sister cut through

"August, dads coming home tonight. Mama said he'll be here up until our birthday in two days"

"But..he'll leave the next day Jane."

My sister looked up at me "is that what's bothering you?"

I nodded my head saying no...that's not what's bothering me...for some reason I feel strange I looked down at my sister

"Hey..do you ever wonder if there's something out there?"

"Liiiike outside haha..?"

I frowned, "no I mean beyond the stars"

My sister looked down for a second showing in her eyes that those thoughts have crossed her mind as well but she quickly recovered. I knew my sister, she doesn't like talking serious. "Haha what's with you August? That's weird, there's nothing beyond the stars. Anyways I got you a birthday present stay here. I hid it in my hiding spot."

I laughed, she calls it a hiding place when everyone knows about it. As I waited in fathers study I looked down at what Jane was reading, 'Wonders Of Astrology'

"Hmmmm"

As I thought about that I remembered leaving my sister's present in one of dads secret books.

I got her this cool purple stone crystal thing that I found in a cave a month back while I was hanging with Lucas since then I've carved and cut it adding metal and a leather strap so she can wear around her neck .I thought she'd love it since she likes stuff like that.

As I pulled dads book out another book fell on the ground.

Oops, I got on the ground to pick it up when a folded up paper dropped out.

I looked around then picked up the piece of paper

"H27dt85" was written across the top inside it said

"X"

And that's all it said...

X...? Why an X?