Chapter 21

"I feel like something is wrong with my sister; she has been acting strangely lately."

"What do you mean?"

"I haven't heard from her for a while. She would usually check in on me, but this time she did not. It's been days since I last heard from her."

"Maybe you should call her if she doesn't call you; for all you know, she might be in danger."

"My sister in danger? She can fight her way out of anything. Believe me; we have been fighting our whole life."

"It's a pity I have never met your sister. She sounds like a wonderful person."

"You will meet her soon, Marcus."

Since it was a holiday, the two had decided to stay indoors, watch television, and play some games. There was a sudden banging sound on the door, "dont tell me it's those same cops who had harrassed us the other day."

"Well, we all know only cops knock on the door like this," Jack stood up and opened the door. It was two police officers. "Hello, officers. To what do we owe this visit?"

"Whose all in here?"

"Do you have a warrant officer?"

"Don't get cheeky with me, young man. I am asking, who is here?"

"You do know my dad's a lawyer?"

The bald head cop removed his hat, "sir do you know Angela?"

"That is my little sister. Why, officer?"

"Can we speak to an adult, please? Your mom or dad?"

"My mom passed away, and my dead well, he is not here."

"My condolence to the loss of your mother. How can we get hold of your dad?"

Jack smiled, "if I knew that, or should I say if he answers the telephone, I guess, anyway, what happened with my sister?"

"She was reported missing."

The cop pulled out a little book and started writing. When was the last time you had seen her?"

"A few months ago, officer, I think it was last at my mom's funeral."

"Can you tell me how many months exactly is a few months ago?"

Jack shook his head, "about two months, I'm guessing." Marcus walked to the door, and the cop taking notes looked him up and down. "Who are you, Sir?"

"I'm Marcus, a friend of Jack."

The cop nodded, making notes, "what is your surname, Sir?

"Officer, you suspect me of a crime with all these questions?"

"No, Sir, we are investigating a missing person and gathering information."

Marcus Lodewyk.

"Thank you for being so cooperative, Sir." He then looked at Jack, "so you said you saw her two months ago? Did you guys make any contact, including phone calls?"

"Yes, she called last week, officer; she sounds okay?"

"Can you remember what the telephone conversation was about?"

"No, it was just a hello and bye."

"Mr. Jack," the cop raised his voice, "when was the last time you heard of Nicole?"

Jack gulped, looking at the cop nervously, "Sir, with all due respect, my sister is missing; now you are asking me about Nicole. We have been over this before, officer. I have my statement."

The cop placed his hands behind his back and nodded his head.

"Ironic though, how they both disappear right after each other, but hey, who are we to judge."

"I believe we are done here?"

The cop nodded his head, "We are done for now."

The cop turned around and walked off.

"What was that about?" said Marcus.

Jack shrugged his shoulders, "well, since her disappearance, we have been under their radar. Every bloody cop in this town believes we had something to do with her disappearance."

Marcus walks to the other side of the table. "So I take it you know nothing about what had happened to her?"

Jack found it strange that Marcus would suddenly ask that question. He knew nothing about Marcus, they had just met, and he seemed chilled.

"If I knew where she was, I would have been with her this instant."

"Why would that be? We're you guys dating?"

Jack looked down and walked to the sink rinsing his hands. "We had a fling, but nothing serious. Why all the questions? You are starting to sound like the cop who was just here?"

"Just curious." Marcus replied, "something does surprise me, though. You don't seem too concerned that your sister is nowhere to be found."

"I'm not 'cause I know my sister. She will randomly pitch out of nowhere. I will start worrying if I don't hear from her for a month."

"Why don't we go over to your place?"

"Next time Jack, my parents are now home. There is not much to do there."

There is something about Marcus, his questions, and the sudden concern over Nicole.

"I have a question?"

"Sure, ask away, Jack. No secrets around here or are there?"

Jack smiled, "no secrets. Why the questions about Nicole? Do you have any relation to her?"

"Relationship? Do you forget im new around?" Jack shook his head, "I never forgot. It's just you acting suddenly strange."

"Chill, man, let's go to the mall, only if you up for it, Jack. It's, after all, still early."

While locking the door, "so, do you guys club around here or party? I mean, where is the hang-out spot?"

"Here are plenty of clubs, but the good ones are the private parties."

"Private parties?"

"Yes, where we hang out with our friends."

"So, where do you usually keep these parties?"

"Out of sight, the forest is the usual spot."

"So when will we be having one of those again? I would love to meet the rest of the crew."

"I will hook you up."

"We can try and arrange something for the weekend."

"That will be great."

The two left the house and headed to the mall. While walking in the mall, a few people Jack knew looked weird at Marcus.

"Why does it look like they recognize you?"

Marcus shrugged his shoulder, "maybe I'm a celebrity."

"You wish," said Jack dismissing the suspicion.

"Marcus, you are back." said a lady walking up to him.

"Claire, how do you know Marcus, his new around here."

Marcus laughed nervously, "no, she has mistaken me for someone else."

He grabbed Joshua by the arm, "the movie is about to start."

"What movie? We haven't got tickets yet."

Before Claire could say anything, they walked off.

"Dude, why are you acting so suspicious, man."

"I am not."

"Why did you pretend not to know her?"

"She has mistaken me for someone else. Why are you being so weird about it, man?"

"I'm not."

"Thinking of it. What is there to hide? There can't be anything I'm new around here."

"You have a point. Let me try and get hold of my sister."

Jack tried calling Angela, but her phone went directly to voicemail.

"This the second girl who is missing. We have to get to the bottom of this. You will cover every inch of the forest, we suspect Nicole is dead, but as for Angela, she could still be alive. Let's not forget what happened in the past in the woods, be careful be vigilant. We don't have much time; it will be a miracle if those girls are alive. Angela's father is a lawyer. We all know him, he is an asshole, and he will look for anything to blame the department, so make sure you do your job correctly. Don't fuck this up."

"Let's get out there, men."

"Help, is anyone out there?" Nicole stood helpless again at the steel door. She sat on the floor with her head on her knees, staring at the stained walls without ventilation. Living like this on the concrete ground was worst than being dead. There was no light.

She slowly lost hope and gave up when she heard footsteps on the other side. It became louder the closer it came when she heard a thick voice saying, "leave her till tomorrow."

She had no idea what time it was since it was dark. All she could think of was her choice to attend that stupid party. If Jack had not insisted, she would not have gone.

"Jack, we should go up the elevator. I heard there are some awesome things upstairs."

"Awesome things like?"

"Things we can use to camp out."

"Camp out?" Jack replied.

"Yes, camp. It would be fun camping out in the woods."

"Sure, that would be great." Jack went to the liquor store and bought some booze.

"why so much?"

"Because we like to drink to have a good time. Why else?" They head over to the camp shop when Marcus leans, and his wallet falls out with a picture on the ground. Jack looked at Marcus. Marcus grabbed the wallet and photo, looking at Jack. "You know, I knew you were hiding something, but I should have put one and one together."

"There is nothing to put together. It's just a friend."

Jack shook his head, slowly reaching into his pocket. "Jack, there you are. We have been looking all over for you." Jack removed his hand from his pocket, not breaking eye contact with Marcus.