Calling From...

Chapter 6

I walked down the hall to my room. I was still numb. The police, along with Arecelli's parents, had read Arecelli's diary. I felt like I had betrayed my friend. I had just given up her secrets.

My mom walked out of her room, which is across the hall from mine. She had tears in her eyes. "Naturai," She started. I already knew what she would say. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know until my boss told me that someone was on the phone for me."

She had already sent me a text message saying she was on her way home. I didn't blame her. After my dad was killed, my mom could hardly stay away from the house when something bad happened. Nobody would believe how long it took me to get her to go to work after the disappearances started.

I looked back up at my mom, realizing that I had just been staring at the floor. At that point, the tears in her eyes had spilled over onto her face, leaving streak marks. "Mom," I started, "Please don't cry. You'll make me cry. You know I hate to see you cry."

My mom immediately perked up; well, tried to, at least. "Okay, Naturai. I understand."

I honestly think she did understand, because she bear-hugged me and went outside. Going outside is Mom's fail-safe. Sort of. Really, when Mom goes outside, she's going to cry her eyes out for fifteen minutes.

About fifteen minutes later, mom came back inside. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. I was watching the news, pretending not to notice.

Mom walked upstairs, and I turned the volume up on the T. V. Savannah was gone. That's weird, I thought. Savannah is always the reporter after the weather.

In Savannah's place was a man. He was tall and thin. "My name is Daniel Rythe. I am here in place of the previous reporter, Savannah Smith." He paused for a split second, and kept talking. I almost missed the pause. Almost. "I regret to report another in a long line of disappearances in Deepwater, Missouri." Something about his voice held me. It wasn't deep nor high, but it sounded familiar. "This event regards only one lost. Savannah Smith was taken from her home yesterday. There are signs of a struggle, but police have found no evidence pointing to who is taking people from our city. Police forces are investigating the problem as we speak, and we will give you information about the kidnappings as it becomes available. Thank you."

I turned off the television and layed my head on the back of the couch. Bits of the news report few through my head.

No evidence. Another in a long line. As it becomes available. Kidnappings. Police forces.

It was all too much. The events of the past days hit me all at once, and I soon found myself enveloped in a veil of sleep, darker than the darkest night.