Chapter 9: Save the Children

'I have news!' The message reaches Alex's phone.

'Call me at eight.' The code responds to Crash's text.

The nervous teenager circles around his room. 'Should we do this?' His mind is frantic from the shocking situation. He isn't the type to act out of line. Especially when it involves failing to notify Mama of his whereabouts.

Flashbacks of Marie's capture prompts Crash to shake away his fears. He is fueled with determination and the desire to find new clues. The unexpected sense of purpose gives Crash a new opportunity to confront the ghosts of his own past. The teen readies his backpack for the investigation—two flashlights, a cellphone, trail mix, and a hammer.

"It's not a crowbar, but maybe it will be useful," Crash says while adding the hammer to his bag.

Once prepared, Crash locks the front door. He intentionally leaves his medication behind. After all, becoming too drowsy would create risk. Crash rides towards Willow Street as the sun dips further below the horizon. Lamp-posts react to the fading light and flicker on. Their bright light provides a guide for the venturer.

Crash's eyes scan around to observe his surroundings. He notices that some homes are lit and full of commotion as families spend their evening together. The teen averts his gaze with a nostalgic sensation.

As the destined road appears in view, Crash sees more houses kept in the dark. 'Why isn't this street better taken care of?' the curious teen wonders. The empty properties cannot look well for real estate. Willow Street's ominous feeling concerns him. Regardless, Crash pedals along towards the agreed location.

The abandoned house looms in the darkness. The overgrown grass reaches the teenager's knees. He dismounts from his bike. Carefully, he looks around to see if any prying eyes are onto him. 'No one seems to notice.' he concludes. After concealing his bike beneath the overgrowth, Crash takes in a deep breath. 'Time to begin.' He gulps as a heartbeat strikes steadily faster—anticipation and anxiety intermingle as one. While walking closer to the front porch, a red beanie emerges from behind the house.

"Psst!" Alex's whisper carries across the yard. "Come over here!"

Crash follows the other's lead. The two reach the back porch. With careful steps, Crash navigates up the wooden stairs laced with poison ivy. 'I better not regret this,' his mind pouts. At the sliding door, he notices an opening.

"Someone's here." His blue eyes widen with concern.

"Or, they’ve been here earlier," Alex says with optimistic cheer. "Your hunch may be right. We won't know anything for sure until we investigate."

The anxious teenager nods his head. He watches as Alex slides the door open. The two are faced with a dark room. Crash removes the flashlights from his bag and hands one to his friend.

"Thanks," his fellow investigator lifts a thumbs up for approval. "Now we can cover more ground."

They enter the vacant house. Two single beams of light illuminate a kitchen and dining area. Cobwebs and dead insects litter the countertops. Crash sticks his tongue out in disgust.

"Ew." The wary investigator tenses his shoulders. "Are you sure…we should split up?"

"Yeah!" the other replies with confidence. "The sooner we come across any clues, the sooner we can leave."

As typical, Crash decides against arguing. He steps into the living room and begins to feel uneasy. A surge of energy rushes up to the teen. Crash feels a cool breeze.

Before he can mention the cold air, the temperature suddenly returns to normal. Crash raises a brow. He shakes away the confusion and continues to scan the room. The amount of dust on the walls and furniture makes him sneeze.

"Bless you," Alex says.

"Thank you," Crash whispers.

Alex walks over to the staircase. His flashlight shines on a handprint. With a dreadful sense of excitement, he calls Crash over.

"Look! Someone has been here!" Alex beams. "I'll take the second floor. You can stay on the first floor."

"Be careful," Crash furrows his brows in concern.

As their placements are divided between the young investigators, the two separate. Blue eyes dart across the hallway. Carefully, he peeks into each of the rooms.

"They're all empty," Crash whispers, dejected by the anticlimactic investigation. "I was sure Marie was here."

Upon uttering her name, the boy's ears distinguish the sound of small footsteps in the hall. His head shoots towards the direction of the pattering. He follows the steps and stands in front of the main staircase.

While shining a light onto the wall, Crash notices the faint outline of a door. He locates the knob and turns the handle only to find it locked. 'Now, this is suspicious,' he reasons. 'I have to tell Alex.' The teen rotates on his heels and proceeds to walk upstairs.

Movement catches his attention. Crash shines his flashlight towards the living room. A little girl's figure appears in an instant before darting away.

"Marie?" The boy's mouth drops. "Hold on, we're here to help!"

Crash sprints through the dark. With a single beam of light, he manages to navigate towards the footsteps. A cellar door is left ajar in the kitchen.

His breathing intensifies as Crash descends the rickety staircase. The wooden steps squeak beneath him. As he reaches the final two steps, a rat races across his shoe. Crash shrieks and is thrown off balance. 'That was close,' he thinks while regaining his footing. To the young investigator's dismay, his flashlight begins to flicker.

"Come on, not now!" Crash's voice cracks while walking deeper into the cellar. "Marie, are you down here?"

Through the flickering of light, he is able to locate Marie. She stands still in the center of the cellar. She looks disheveled, from her dress to her hair. Marie's clothes are dirty and torn. Despite her ragged appearance, the little girl musters a smile. She attempts to speak but can only utter an inaudible whisper.

"I can't hear you," Crash frowns. His thoughts turn to the newest case. "Is the other girl here with you?"

Marie appears excited by the question. The little girl has the answer. She nods her head frantically while extending a hand upwards. 'The closet!' Crash surmises.

"You can come with us." The teen slowly approaches her. "My friend is upstairs and we can help you two."

He extends an open hand with a friendly smile. Marie looks at him sadly. The flashlight malfunctions again, causing the teen to panic. Crash beats the top of it in effort to fix the tool.

"Stay lit!" he demands.

Once the light shines on Marie's face, her expression changes. The little girl grows pale and her mouth hangs open. She points a trembling finger behind her unexpected visitor. Crash regards her with confusion. Before he can turn around, something heavy slams into the back of the teenager's head!

"He's here! He's here!" Marie's voice shrieks.

Crash's vision fades in and out of focus. He is unable to see his attacker. The sounds of sirens blare overhead. Within moments, the teen crashes to the cold floor as he drifts out of consciousness.