Teen Ink

Chapter 4 : A phone Call

I fell in and out of sleep, as if my mind couldn’t decide if it wanted me unconscious or not.
I finally did dose off a few hours later.

* * *

« Wake up hon, you're late for school. »
Yeah mom.
« Baby... » She shook my shoulder.
I pulled my pillow over my head.
« Leah Mortel, I will not break the law speeding to get you there on time, now get up ! »
As if she ever drove under the speed limit.
This was a routine in the Mortel house, each morning of every day.
A moment later, my shudders where wide open and blazing sunlight came and flooded my childhood room.
I swung my legs over the bed, sitting looking around my room : baby blue walls with yellow lace curtains. Two windows that looked out into the back yard. Wood floors, polished and as clean as a new penny.
I liked how all the furniture wasn't matched, all in wood but never the same kind, different shades from white to dark brown.
The alarm clock on my night stand beeped. I leaned over and pushed off, it didn't stop.

* * *
An alarm woke me up. No it was a telephone, I looked down my head spinning from my quick movement, disoriented for a moment before I remembered where I was.
It was my cell, that was vibrating in my pocket ! Adrian had forgotten to take it away, a big mistake from the hands of a criminal. I didn't see him so answered, checking the caller ID : it was my brother, Darik.
« HELP ! » I screamed in a whisper.
« Leah? Where the hell are you ?" I had never heard him so worried.
It takes all my strength not to burst into tears, « He kidnapped me I don't know where I am save me save me please Darik help... » I trail off, my mind can't deal anymore. I'm shaking so bad, the phone almost slips out of my fingers.
« Calm down Leah, tell me what happened. » His voice is soothing but doesn't clear up the panic.
I explain everything, how the bus was late, how he said he was new to this area, his eyes (at this point I think Darik is lost, or thinks I've gone mad, he doesn't stop me).
I tell him everything I can think of that might help, help for what ? Because I have no freaking clue where I am.
« I'm scared Darik. »
He doesn't answer. He's a good guy my brother, but not great when it comes to handling this kind of stuff.
I remember a few years back, our cat Lucifer ran away.
He went crazy, ran around shouting the poor cat's name until dark. The nebors told my parents that if they didn't shut him up they would call the police. We never did find Lucifer.
So I could imagine who he felt now.
« I'm calling the cops... they can trace your phone... they'll find you... » He rambled.
« Love you and tell mom and dad tha- » Darik cut me off.
« Sis, you are not going to die, I'll find you. »
That was Darik, loving, strong : an emotional snow ball, with a 100 different feelings.
« I won't let that ass touch you, he won't hurt you, I swear. » Brave words, « And if- when I find this first class jerk, I' m going to beat the crap out of him. »
« You are such a g- » But I couldn't finish, the next second Adrian was standing next to me, appeared out of fine air ! How much did he hear ?
« What the ! » He didn't even have to finish his sentence, he knew what was going on. He grabbed my phone but not before I screamed. My last warning to my sibling.
He crushed my cell in his hand, like butter and I swear, I saw in his white eyes I could see flames.
« Who. Was. That. » He pronounced each word as if it was painful, and it felt like I was being repeatedly stabbed with a knife.
« My brother and the police will be here soon, I would run if I were you. » I said with all the confidance I could muster up.
He laughed with no humor. « I doubt that very seriously. » I flinched at his matter of fact voice.
I couldn't just stand there saying nothing, so out of all the things I could tell him, I chose the least important. It wasn't even a question.
« If you did this for money, sorry to disappoint you but I come from a middle class family, we don't roll on dough exactly. » He doesn't answer and I have the horrible feeling that he didn't kidnap me for money.