Double Take

Double Take-Chapter 2

Chapter 2

          Police lights flashing outside of anybody’s house is never a good sign, but especially not at my house. Dashing to the door, I found Mom sitting on a chair in our dining room. Dad was sitting next to her with his arm around her shoulder. Next to them were two cops and another official. He was tall, with broad shoulders, and wearing a dark brown trench coat. His formal suit and tie complemented his profession, but the pointy nose almost made me laugh out loud. What a stereotypical detective!

          Guessing, I asked, “Is he a detective? Why is he here?”

          “Son, this is Detective Chase Parker.” Dad explained.

          “Why is he here?” I was getting impatient.

          Detective Parker reported, “We received a call from your parents about a half hour ago concerning a ransom note.”

          “A ransom note? For what, my pet hamster?”

          “Your sister, Kenni.”

          I went numb. I staggered like a drunk and crashed into one of our barstools before steadying myself with the table.

          “How…why…when…?” I stammered, trying to clear my head from the rush of thoughts. I felt the cop place his hand on me, but I shrugged it off

          “I want to read the note.”

          Parker handed me a folded piece of paper. I opened it and began to read.

            I have Kenni. Unless you want her body in the nearest lake, you are going to comply with my demands. Clyde is too come with $1,000 to the alley behind the fifth house on the left on Eastern Avenue in one week, at 10 p.m. Further instructions will be supplied then. And NO POLICE or I think you’ll know what will happen. And Clyde, that bomb was a bad idea.

          “Why such little money? That seems weird.” I looked at each of them in turn.

          “We were trying to figure that out ourselves. We have no idea,” replied the detective.

           I figured it wasn’t a big deal and ran into my room on the second floor. I tossed SS and a gum bomb into my draw-string bag and slung it over my back. I ran back down the steps into the kitchen to see five shocked faces.

          “Where do you think your going young man? And who is this person, and what bomb?” Mom was frantic.

          “I’m going to tell Krystal. I’ll be back later and explain everything.” As I opened the door, Mom begged, saying, “She doesn’t need to know, Clyde. The less people that know the better.”

          “It’ll be out soon enough. It doesn’t matter.” I shut the door behind me before they could protest anymore. I jogged down the street and headed to Ice’s most recent “house”.

          I arrived at the apartment and snuck in the back door. Checking to make sure no one was around, I ran up the steps and to the 5th floor. I walked down the hall to room 312 and knocked twice. The door swung open and Ice was standing in front of me.

          “Why are you here? Come on in.” She shut the door behind me.

          “I’ve got bad news. Kenni has been kidnapped, and the guy I told you about yesterday is the culprit. He wants me to come alone to an alley on Eastern Avenue, plus $1,000.”

          “What! Are you sure? I guess I was wrong. What are you going to do?” She plopped down on the couch and I sat next to her.

          “What do you think I’m going to do?” I burst out, screaming, “I’m going right where he wants me!”

          “Whoa, I’m sorry! Man, no need to yell. Can I come with you? You know, to, ah protect you?”

          “You can if you want to. But you can’t be seen. He should see me, and only me. He said to be there in a week. School ends for the year then also. Meet you at the same place as always.” I stood up and was ready to leave when Ice tapped me on the shoulder.

          “This might be kinda weird, but do you want a hug?” She gave me direct eye contact. I knew she was sincere. How could I refuse?

          “Sure Ice.” I smiled at her and hugged her. Once she put her arms around me, I felt secure for the first time in my entire life. I wanted that moment to last forever. But then we withdrew, and the moment passed.

          “Thanks Ice. I really need that. I’m kinda stressed out.” We looked straight in each others eyes, but after a second, it returned to being awkward.

          “Um…thanks again Ice, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I returned to the door and left her apartment room.

          “Bye Clyde!” I looked back in time to see her face one more time before the door closed, and then ran back the way I came, planning a course of action for tomorrow and thinking of how I would ever explain everything to my parents and Detective Parker.

          I finished explaining what I could about the note, but I left out the part about my superpowers and said that a bomb was in the building somehow and I saw it but he didn’t. They didn’t understand, but before any unanswerable questions were raised, I flatly stated, “I’m going to get Kenni.” I stood up, unwavering in my decision.

          “But Detective Parker is coming with you. I insist,” Mom interjected.

          “What, no! No way, I’m going alone. He said so in the note! Kenni will get killed. And he’ll slow me down. No way,” I protested.

          “That’s not a good idea, son,” Dad tired to convince me.

          “Too bad. I can protect myself. He is not coming,” I said with as much authority as I could muster up.

          “Ok, ok, he won’t come,” Dad glanced at Mom.

          “Good, now, goodnight,” I retreated into my room.