The Truth Lies Here
Chapter 1 - A Promise Broken
My name is Arthur Kirkland, and ever since the age of 12 years old, I've almost always been cautious of who I must trust and... Ever since then, I've been closed off from the world. I haven't had a single friend or even trusted an adult since that year. No one to trust in a world of darkness. It had happened 10 years ago, when my best friend Alfred F. Jones was kidnapped.
It had been a normal Monday, waking up early, going to school and everything else in the planned agenda followed. By the time the school day ended, Alfred was at the entrance, waiting for me to arrive so we can leave together. He asked me to stay over the course of the week, because his parents had left for the time being, wanting to catch up with their friends so they left Alfred alone at the house. As soon as they left, Alfred didn't give a second thought about asking me over. Such a child he was. But that's why I loved him...and not only as a friend, I wanted to be more than just friends.
When our homework was done for the night, Alfred demanded we watched a movie, typical of him. So we started watching some American horror movie, with him holding onto me for dear life, as if I would make an escape at any given moment, which I probably would do, if he gave me a chance to. Kidding, I'm just kidding.
Alfred shrieked in a not-so-manly when the ghost of the house suddenly showed up scaring the living hell out of the house owner. I found this movie more humorous then horror-like. A thriller movie is what it's called right?
"Artie, it's okay, I'll protect you from all the ghosts, okay? Yeah, I'll protect you, 'cause that's what heroes do!" Alfred laughed nervously.
I want you to be my hero. I shook my head furiously. That could never happen. I was pretty sure that Alfred was straight, so my chances being with him were equal to dirt. Not to mention the cheesiness in that sentence.
"Nice Al, look what you did!" I look at the mess on the ground, Coca-Cola spilt, popcorn dumped all over the carpet.
"Oops." says Alfred a bit guiltily.
I pause the movie.
"I'll pick it up." he muttered, before leaning over and picking up the little kernels and seeds.
Without a thought, I bent over and started to help the American pick the infernal things up.
"No Artie," I couldn't help but scowling at my nickname he gave me, but Alfred had been affectionately calling me I ever since we first met. "You don't need to help me; I'm the one who dumped it anyways..." I have to keep myself from looking at his lips, watching as the words flowed out of his lips. I wonder what it would be like to kiss him... I wonder to myself. A fraction of a second after I realized what I had been thinking, I mentally scold myself for even thinking like that.
"I have an idea," I say quietly, continuing to pick up kernels and seeds then depositing them into the bowl. "Why don't we lay off on the horror movies for the night, and watch something else Al?"
Alfred nodded his head a bit shyly, "Yeah, we can do that. You can choose the movie, and I'll go get us some more popcorn."
"That sounds great." I smile, one of the rare smiles that only Alfred could bring out of me.
"You better not fall asleep while I'm gone." the American tickled my side, which makes me giggle. Curse him for knowing my ticklish areas.
"I won't, I won't."
"Pinkie promise?" he asked sheepishly. Raising his pinkie in the air.
"Come on Al! We're in middle school now; don't you think that's a bit immature?" I say in disbelief.
"No, I don't. But you have to promise me, or I will not leave." he said stubbornly.
"I don't get you," I raise my pinkie, and touch it with Al's.
"Okay! See you in a bit Artie!" Alfred rose from his spot.
I shook my head, smiling softly as Alfred left the room.
So I got up and looked at the many, many different movies he had, chose one, and placed it carefully into the DVD player. And I sat, waiting for Alfred's return.
I check my watch. It's already been 15 minutes since he left, so what was taking him? I got up and walked down to the kitchen. Idiot probably made a mess again. I think, opening the door.
Now that I look at the scene, it looked like someone was struggling against something. Things were ajar from their original positions, drawers opened, cooking utensils lie on the ground, glass broken everywhere you look, and dirt tracks trailing from the opened window.
I look around the kitchen, not seeing Alfred. "I swear Al, if you're trying to scare me; I think it's already working." I laugh nervously. Why wasn't he in here?
I thought about some things before the thought hits me hard.
Alfred was kidnapped.