Kate
I woke up tired, confused, and alone. I looked around and wondered how I could have ended up in a dark alley but no memories came to me. My eyebrows furrowed as I murmured to myself. The last thing I remembered was sitting in my apartment on the phone with Tadashi. I reached into my pocket to find my phone. 17 missed calls...what is going on? I scrolled through the missed calls and saw that nine of them were from Tadashi. I brought my knees up to my chest and grabbed my throbbing head. Calm down. I picked up my phone and looked down. My eyes widened at the blood on my hand. Just breathe. Shaking, I dialed Tadashi's number, took a deep breath, and pressed send.
Tadashi
Tadashi sat with his head in his hands. He had been trying to study but couldn't focus. Kate had been missing for three days now. They had been on the phone when Tadashi heard glass breaking on the other end. "Kate?" She didn't respond but her breathing hitched slightly before he heard the phone drop. "Kate!" He heard her muffled voice followed by her screaming "Tadashi!" He rushed to her apartment without a second thought. It was a mess and Kate was gone. He called the police but they had no idea where she could be. All he could do was hang up missing posters and hope that she was okay.
Tadashi looked away from his notes and thought about calling her again. If she didn't pick up the first nine times, why would she answer now? His phone rang and he answered without looking.
"Tadashi?" He stopped breathing.
"Kate?"
"Dashi, I need your help. I don't know what's going on." She sounded terrified.
"Where are you?"
"I don't know. I just woke up in this alley. Dashi, I just wanna go home." He could hear her crying and tried to stay calm for her.
"Okay, I want you to look around for me. Is there a diner or a coffee shop near you?" Tadashi waited for her quietly, trying to calm his breathing.
"Joe's is across the street," She said finally.
"Go in and sit down. I'll be there in ten minutes." Tadashi ran down the stairs and out of his aunt's café.
Kate
I walked into the coffee shop with my head down. I sat in the back, trying to avoid attention. I didn't want anyone to see the blood on me. I sat quietly, staring at my phone. I didn't notice an older man approach me and I jumped when he spoke. "Miss?" I looked up, trying to mask my fear. "Are you okay?" I nodded but he didn't seem convinced. I could only imagine how I looked but he didn't push me for answers. "Well if you change your mind, I'll be up front." I thanked him quietly and he returned to the register.
I returned to playing with my phone and looked up as someone entered the shop. Tadashi. The relief on his face as he saw me was clear. I ran across the room and reached out to hug him. I felt his strong arms wrap around me and I immediately felt safe. "Shh…its okay" he whispered as he stroked my hair. I hadn't realized that I was crying again. I leaned away and tried to calm myself down as he wiped away the tears on my face. "Ready to go home?" I nodded, happy that I wasn't alone anymore.