Chapter one/ The Call

I leave the store in a hurry getting back to my car as soon as possible. I slowly open the trunk paying close attention to my surroundings. I then quickly put the groceries in my trunk, it’s midday the only time I will leave my apartment anymore. After I finish putting them away I close the trunk, then grab my purse putting it on my shoulder. I place my hand inside wrapping my hand around my taser as I move the cart back to the cart thing. I then quickly cross back to my car getting inside. I check behind me making sure no one is in my car. Then and only then do I release the hold on the taser putting my purse in the seat next to me. After that I take my key from my purse and put it in the ignition. I start the car, back out and leave the parking lot. Then head home. It is barely a five minute drive to my apartment. Once I arrive I park then get the groceries checking my surroundings as I walk up the two steps to my door. I then unlock my door and head inside. Once inside I set all the groceries down then lock my door.

Finally I start to relax, the therapist I started seeing after the accident as my mother refers to says I have extreme PTSD and paranoia. But I don’t really see how you can blame me. I was sexchualy assaulted, chained to a bed, and left without food, this lasted a week. Before Lenord Spokes finally stabbed me in my upper abdomen and left me for dead outside a hospital. They caught that monster as he was getting on a plane to Haiti. We had questioned him just two days prior to my kidnapping. We could not hold him due to all our evidence being circumstantial. We didn’t even have enough for a court order to search his house. Lucky the idiot was messy with me because he had a point to prove. He even led us to where he had held the other girls, which gave us the opportunity to give three more family closure due to us finding bones from cases that spanned from 2002 all the way to 2004 his first three victims.

After putting away the groceries I take my meds then turn on a movie. I then lay down on the couch closing my eyes hoping to get a few hours of sleep before the nightmares start again. Before my mind forces me to relive the worst time in my life. Subconsciously I rub the scar on my abdomen; it's one of the worst ones that span my body. Three inches long and four inches deep is a nasty looking one that leaves me disgusted with myself and my body everytime I look at it. I move my hand placing it behind my head as I continue to try to get some rest.

I've barely managed to doze off when my phone rings. I sit up with a sigh walking over to my purse. I take it out, noticing it’s Erica’s Mom. I immediately answered it. She sounds out of breath which sets me on edge because she only calls me on holidays, and other important events. The moment I say what’s going on. She breaks into huge wracking sobs she begins to say in a rush that Erica’s missing she has been gone two days already. She’s informed the police but they are not doing anything. She’s put up flyers and even hired a Private investigator but so far nothing. I close my eyes taking a deep breath then I say “I will be on the next flight out.” And I promise her that in that moment I will find her daughter and my best friend. As an officer they always told us never to promise a victim's family that we will find their loved one, but in that moment I promised her because she is like a mom to me. She sniffles then says “thank you Jade,” I say “no problem'' and I tell her I love her and we will talk soon. Also that I need her to get Erica’s laptop, and a recent picture along with any information on the investigator she hired.

After I hang up I grab my laptop pulling up plane tickets. The soonest I can leave is tomorrow morning I immediately purchase the ticket. Then head to my closet pulling out my suitcase. I pack everything I need. Then I go to my safe. I pull out my gun, putting in the bullets and making sure everything is in working order along with putting the safety back on. Once I get everything I need together I call my mother. It goes to voice-mail because by now it’s about 8 o’clock meaning she’s in the bathtub with her glass of wine. I leave her a message saying that I'm heading to Virginia in the morning. That Erica is in trouble, and that I need her to pick up any mail because I don't know when I will be back. Then I go to my text messages seeing that Erica’s mom sent info on the P.I. I quickly search for him and I scan some articles. He is not a bad P.I. but according to the local reporter in their town he likes to show up the local sheriff. Meaning he doesn't get along well with cops, lovely I think to myself. Next I go to Instagram where I search for more information. Sometimes you can find out more about a person based on what they post rather than what's been written. I look over his posts when I notice a pic of him shirtless. I swear I almost drool. He is tall, dark and handsome, but according to his social he has a reputation of being a player. I infer this by all the pictures of women he is posing with. Should have figured that out he’s a pretty boy who probably thinks women are toys. I smile to myself as I think just wait till he meets me. He will be in for a very rude awakening. After I put my laptop and phone both on the charger I go and climb into my bed hoping for a good night's sleep which I know I won’t get. My best friend is missing, and it’s up to me and Mr. pretty boy to find her because he probably has connections I don’t have.