The Long Run (Prequel to Time Loop)

Chapter Ten

After packing a bag for myself, I finally left my room for what was probably going to be the last time. Revenge had now been the only thing on my mind, and I was going to find my Darlene one way or another.

I walked over to the local cafe nearby, trying to formulate a plan while I drank tea. It wasn't going to be easy of course, especially since I was doing this alone. But honestly, there wasn't much of a choice. I didn't even really know where to start.

I walked out of the cafe, passing by a phone box, when suddenly, it rang. Hesitantly, I walked in and answered the call, "Hello?"

"Hello Isabelle," said an unknown, but unsettling voice on the other line.

"Who are you?" I quickly asked, lowering my voice so others couldn't hear.

"That's not important. How's your tea?"

"What..."I tried my best to hold my composure but I was freaking out on the inside. Looking out the window beside me, I tried to see where the call was coming from. "Tell me, who are you?"

"Again, that's not important. What you really want to know is where your friend Darlene is, correct?"

"Yes," I agreed, still trying to find him outside through the crowds of people.

"I'll bring you to her. Do you have a pen and paper?" He asked.

"No," I muttered, rummaging through my bag until I found a marker. "Wait- yeah I do."

"Write this down," he ordered and started to tell me the address and time to meet him. I quickly jotted it down on my arm.

"Got it," I said once I was finished, "Why are you telling me all this anyway?"

I waited for an answer, but the line cut off. Whatever he was planning, I knew I couldn't trust this guy.

~Time Skip~

It was late out, way past daylight hours. The streets had been mostly quiet and everyone was either getting drunk off their rocker at the local pubs or cramming late in their flats for their next assessment.

I had found my way to the address I wrote down, which turned out to be a dark, conspicuous alley way. That's not shady at all... I rolled my eyes and walked in slowly, making sure I watched my back.

"Hello?" I called out into the dark, walking in further. I tried my best to stay calm, which clearly wasn't working, "Is anybody there?"

Standing there in silence, I realized I was alone and the guy hasn't shown up. With a sigh, I stood there impatiently, taking occasional glances at my wrist watch. My fear soon began to fade, until suddenly, I heard the sound of footsteps sliding across the pavement.

"Who's there?" I whipped around, curling my fingers into fists. No answer. I slowly stepped back, until my back hit a solid figure. Before I got the chance to turn around, I felt one arm coil it's way around my neck and a sharp, stabbing pain sting deep into the side of my neck.

"What are you..." My vision began to blur and I tried fighting back, but to no avail. My hands were just swinging at air and my legs gave in as well, causing me to lose balance. Colors started to fade and so did my vision until everything was dark.

~Time Skip~

I wasn't sure how much time had past. Minutes, hours, maybe even days. But when I woke up to the dingy fluorescent lights that shone down above me, all I could think of was, where the hell am I?

I curled my fingers, finally gaining some movement. My legs still felt a little numb, as if I'd been stationary for quite a while. Once my vision became much more clear, I started to notice my surroundings.

The room was pretty small and suffocating. It reeked of alcohol, almost like a hospital. The paint on the walls were cracked and some pieces chipped off, signaling that this place was really old and worn out.

I tried to get up from the cushioned seat I was in but realized my arms and legs were strapped down by leather restraints. Great.

"Help..."I tried to yell, but it just came out as a raspy whisper. My throat felt as dry as the Sahara desert. If only I had some water.

As much as I wanted to freak out and try to wring myself out of my restraints, I knew it wasn't going to work. So I tried looking around the room, trying to see if I could find something to get me out. Anything would've been useful.

Turning to my side, I saw a metal tray, like the one dentists use. There were a few sharp materials there, scissors, blades, surgical knifes, etc. whatever this guy was planning to do to me, it wasn't going to be good.

I glanced down at my clothes, which had been soaked in blood. The edge of my shirt was torn and there was a huge, bloody slit down my lower left waist. If I hadn't been in so much pain, I probably would've fainted at the sight. I needed get out of here as soon as possible.

It didn't take long for me to realize I had no way out. I needed help, and the person I had literally just kicked out of my life seemed to be my only last resort.

Charles, I could really use your help right now. Please, if you can hear me, I need you to help me get out of this place, I said in my mind, hoping the message got across to him. Now all I could do was wait and hope he'd come soon.