The Coding Call

Chapter 2

       The screams were of a woman. They were high pitched and ear splitting. These screams are in this building Andrew realized. Andrew picked up his jeans and slipped them on. He slid his plain grey shirt over his head. He opened the door and ran down the apartment hallway. He needed to get his parents. He needed to see if they were safe. Once he was in front of the door his hand latched onto the handle. He twisted and twisted but the door would not open. Locked? Why the hell is it locked? Andrew thought. Pain shot through his body. Something wrong is going on. This isn't normal. Andrew screamed through the door trying to get their attention. "MOM! DAD! WAKE UP! OPEN THE DOOR!" Andrew yelled as loud as he could. No answer. He knocked very hard on the door. After several desperate knocks he realized what he had to do.

       Andrew never had to kick open a door in his lifetime. He never broke into anything. He was an obedient child most of his life. Until now. He winded up his right foot and as hard as he could he smashed his foot into the door. Nothing happened. Ow that really hurt  Andrew thought as he rubbed his ankle. He winded up his foot again and smashed the door again. Still nothing. Andrew then thought of what he might encounter inside his parent's room. Pain shivered all over his body. He used the one ounce strength he had in him and kicked the door as hard as he could. The door shattered open and slammed against the wall. Without thinking Andrew entered the room.

      The room was the same. A large bed sat in the center with its blankets on top. The table had no speck of dust on it. The carpet remained clean. Everything was normal, except one thing. His parents were gone. Fear kicked into Andrew's body. He nervously shuffled around the room looking for clues of where his parents could have gone. Nothing Andrew thought. A high pitched ding left from Andrew's room. Another IM Andrew realized. He sprinted from his parents room and rushed to his computer. He sat down in front of the computer and read the message.

     Unknown: You need to leave. Right now Andrew.

     Andrew1999: Who are you? What the hell is going on!!

    He awaited a response from this mysterious character. He nervously kept tapping his finger on his desk. Sweat dripped from his forehead and onto the desktop. Andrew decided to type again.

     Andrew1999: How do you know my name?! I'm calling the police!

    Andrew picked up his smartphone and unlocked it. He clicked on the phone icon and began to type in 911. A second after he typed in the last "1" the phone flashed green three times. Then shut off. He tried to turn on his phone but nothing happened. The high pitched ding filled the room again.

    Unknown: If you try to call the police again, we will have your fingers.

     Andrew backed away from his computer in a jolt. WHAT IS GOING ON! Andrew yelled in his mind. Hopeless. Andrew knew he couldn't do anything but wait. Wait for an answer. An answer to all of this. Where were his parents? How did this mysterious person (or thing) shut off his technology. Andrew shifted in his seat again. Tears streamed down his face. Will I ever see my parents again? Andrew thought. He pulled up in front of his computer and typed.

    Andrew1999: Please, tell me what is going on! Where are my parents! PLEASE!

   He wiped the oncoming tear from his face and kept his eyes glued onto the screen. I'm a coward. A weak coward. Andrew thought. Those ugly thoughts filled his brain. Then the ding. That damn ding. Andrew immediately read the message.

   Unknown: They are inside Andrew. You're dead.

   And with that Andrew nearly passed out.