~~~I can feel you watching even when you're nowhere to be seen.~~~
Amber's POV
"What do you mean it is a long story?" I asked rubbing my throbbing head. "The last thing I remember was Cody trying to-Oh my gosh Kelly! What is he doing here?"
"Amber, relax. We will explain everything." Kelly assured me.
"Maybe we should wait until your dad gets here. You know so we don't have to explain ourselves twice." Cody suggested.
"Your dad? Kelly, why is your dad coming?"
"Amber, someone tried to hurt you. I'm not going to let the scumbag get away with it!" Kelly told me.
"Okay but-" I started, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.
Kelly opened it. "Dad!"
"Hey, Kel." He said giving her a quick hug. "So, you wanna tell me what is going on here?"
"Yeah okay. So, Amber got this note from Cody, a guy in one of her classes, that told her to meet him because he wanted to talk about something." Amber's dad gave me that Don't-you-know-not-to-meet-strangers-look.
"Hey! In my defense, I knew Cody. He wasn't a stranger. Or at least I thought he wasn't a stranger." I exclaimed.
"Anyway," Kelly continued. "So I go with her, because I am a great friend. She starts talking to Cody and nothing seems wrong. But then, he grabs Amber, and knocks her out using chloroform."
"Yeah, and my head is pounding!" I chip in.
Cody looks at me with guilt in his eyes. "Sorry."
"Yeah ok." I thought Kelly's dad would freak out, but he is just sitting there, listening.
"So I rush up to Cody and use my badass ninja skills to stop him. I was about to deliver the final blow, when he stopped me and told me that he was forced to do it. I didn't believe him, but he showed me the letter he got from the person who threatened him." Kelly motioned to Cody to explain the rest.
"Yeah, I got a letter that said my family would be hurt if I didn't do what it said." Cody quickly explained. He turned to look at me. "Amber, I'm sorry. I didn't want to do it, I swear. But I couldn't risk getting my family hurt."
I looked straight into his eyes and saw that he really meant it. I knew that he was working hard to get through college and I could see he really cared about his family.
"Let me see the letter." Kelly's dad asked. Cody gave him the letter and he silently read it to himself. "Okay. So this was some sort of trade? You kidnap Amber, and they will leave your family alone."
"Yes!" Cody says. "And I didn't go to the cops because it said no cops. And then Kelly says she knows someone who can keep this quiet, you I guess."
"Yes. Do you know if this person actually has your family?"
"No. I mean I tried calling my sister's phone, but she never picked up."
"Okay. What about your parents?" Kelly's dad questioned.
"My dad died when I was little, and mom died in a car crash a few years ago. All I have left is my older sister and her family. I couldn't risk losing them too."
"Oh my gosh Cody! I didn't know. I'm sorry." I say as I give him a hug.
"Yeah. Not many people know." Cody trails off.
"Okay, I'll send some people over undercover to make sure your family is okay." Kelly's dad says. Cody looks grateful at the change of topic. "Okay, let's try to figure out some potential leads. Amber or Cody, do you know of anyone who would try to hurt you or blackmail you in any way? Even if it is small, it could help."
"Um...no." Cody said after a long pause of thought.
"Amber?"
"I don't think so." Was there anyone who would try to hurt me? "I can't think of anyone."
"What about Derek?" Kelly suggested.
"Derek? No. He cheated on me, so if anyone should be mad it should be me." Man, it still hurt me to think about his betrayal. I know I should move on, but it still hurts.
"Okay, well we will check him out, just to be safe." Kelly's dad says as he finishes writing down notes in a small notebook. "I think I will go check out the dorm's security cameras to see if I notice anything suspicious."
"Why check the security cameras?"
"Well, someone had to drop off that letter to Cody. Maybe it is caught on camera who did." Kelly's dad explains.
"Ah, nice thinking dad!" Kelly says and gives her dad a fist bump.
"Okay. I'll keep in touch and let you know if I find anything." Kelly's dad says as he prepares to leave.
"Alright. Thanks dad."
"No problem. I am going to do everything in my power to find the person responsible for this." Kelly's dad assured us. "You kids be safe."
"Alright, we will." We all said. When he left I heard my stomach growl.
"Hey guys. Is anyone hungry?" I asked.
"I'm starved. Let's go get something to eat." Kelly agreed.
We decided on the small diner that was "the popular spot" on campus. Mainly because it wasn't too expensive and the food was delicious. When we got there we chose a booth in the back that fit the three of us easily. Because it was later than usual for dinner, there was not that many people in the diner.
"What would you guys like to drink?" A waitress asked us, not long after we sat down.
"Coke." Cody and Kelly said at the same time.
"Huh. I pegged you as a Pepsi person." Kelly mentioned.
"Thank God he's not. I am not in the mood to hear another infamous Pepsi versus Coke argument." I said.
"Same. I hear way too many of those." the waitress agreed with me. "And what will you have to drink?"
"I'll take fruit punch." I said. The waitress nodded and walked away.
"You are such a child." Kelly commented.
"Hey it's good! So don't judge me!" I defended myself.
"Whatever. I have to go to the bathroom! Order my usual if she comes back." Kelly announces as she disappears.
Cody suddenly looks all serious. "Look Amber. I really am sorry about what happened. I hope you can understand. I just-"
"Cody, it is fine. I get it. You had to protect your sister. I probably would've done the same thing if I was in your position." I admitted.
"So we are good? Friends?"
"Yes, friends. I have no hard feelings against you about the incident."
"Okay, good."
The waitress came back with our drinks. "Are you ready to order?"
"Yeah we are." I said. "I'll have the chicken tenders with fries please. And my friend will have the same."
"Oh my gosh! I was going to order the chicken tenders too!" Cody said.
"Well, you know. Great minds think alike."
"True." Cody agreed with me.
"What did I miss?" Kelly said as she joined us at the table.
"Nothing much. I ordered your usual."
"Chicken tenders?" Kelly said and I nodded. "I love me my chicken tenders!"
"Speaking of chicken tenders, here they come now." Cody noticed.
"Yes! I am so hungry!" Kelly said. She quickly took a bite. "These chicken tenders never get old."
"True. They are so good." We all agreed.
We were all enjoying our delicious chicken tenders, when Cody's phone buzzed. He looked down at it, and then he looked as if he just saw a ghost.
"What? What is wrong?" I asked.
"I just got a text."
"What does it say?"
He turns his phone around so Kelly and I could read it.
You should have followed instructions.
Just then I felt my own phone buzz in my pocket. I read the text message and instantly I was freaked out. "Uh guys." I turned my phone around so they could read it.
You got away last time, but next time you won't be so lucky. Just know, that I am watching you and you will never know when I will strike again.