Chapter 7

I woke up the next morning to an oddly quiet house. Where was Liz's daily noises?

"Liz?" I called looking around the apartment. I glanced at my phone, not a text since last night. I rummaged through the mail on the island. There was no note.

I called her phone. "Hi this is Liz Bennett, I'm not here right now so please leave a message and I'll get back to you." Her voice mail sang.

"Dammit." I muttered. I called Williams next.

"Hey Williams, is Liz there?" I asked when he picked up.

"No actually, I was just about to call you about that. Is she okay?" he responded.

"It's fine. Thanks Williams." I replied.

I tried to remember what we did last night, then I remembered Stark's party. I dialed his number up.

"'Ello Sam, deciding to talk to me?" he replied when he picked up. I rolled my eyes.

"Not the time to joke Stark, did Liz go home with anyone last night?" I replied restlessly.

"I don't think so, but she was chatting with my buddy Clint." He told me.

"Can you send me his number?" I asked.

I looked at my phone as the number popped up. I had to calm myself down.

"Clint Barton." A male voice answered.

"Hi Clint, the name's Sam Mason, I'm a friend of Liz's" I told him as calm as I could

"Ah, you're the famous Sam. Liz told me a lot about you last night. What can I do for you?" He responded with a laugh.

"Listen, is Liz at your place?" I asked a little impatiently.

He sighed. "Um, no. I offered her a ride, but she told me she was going to walk. Why, is something wrong?" I scrambled for a lie.

"Nope, was just wondering." I lied hanging up. I paced around the living room a bit. My best friend is gone. She could be dead, or kidnapped, or being tortured, or being trafficked. I had to wait 24 hours until I could file missing persons. I called the only person I could.

"Is she at Clint's?" Stark asked when he picked up.

"No, and she's not at the theater and she didn't make it home." I started tearing up a little.

"Sam, it's okay. I'll be there in ten." Stark told me. I was about to protest when he hung up.

"She's an extraordinary girl, in an ordinary world." I lunged for my phone

"LIZ! Are you okay?!" I smiled the brightest smile.

"I'm afraid your friend can't talk." An eerily familiar voice responded.

"Max Snyder… what do you want with Liz?" I growled.

"Just her. That's all I ever wanted." He singsonged.

"Let me speak to her Max, consider this her one phone call." I negotiated in a firm voice. This was not up for a debate.

"Sure." He agreed and I heard shuffling.

"Sam!" I heard Liz voice call into the phone.

"Liz! I'm so sorry. Remind me to never leave a party without you." I told her.

"It's okay Sam. You'll get me out of this." She joked.

"Damn right I will." I told her stern.

"Sam, don't do anything too stupid. Go to Stark's, apologize," I groaned. "And have him help you."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Hang tight, we'll be there in 15. No more."

"Sam," but it was too late, I'd hung up. Then Stark knocked.

"Sorry, took me awhile." I looked at him.

"I don't remember me telling you where I lived." He shrugged.

"Liz told me when you were up in the rafters yesterday." I nodded.

"Well, come on in. I know, it's not much. Just let me get my computer real fast and then we can get to work." I walked into my room and grabbed my laptop.

"So, all I have to do is track Liz's phone and we'll be able to figure out where she's being kept." I stated. Stark looked at me with a confused look.

"How do you know she still has her phone?" I looked up at him.

"I got a call from her capture, who put her on the line. She's okay. Her psychotic ex-boyfriend has he."

Stark gave me a glare. "Liz, has a psychotic ex-boyfriend?"

I nodded. "Max Snyder. Medically insane, Liz has a restraining order. He must have drugged her." My laptop pinged. I glanced over and it had traced Liz's cell to Max's apartment.

"Good thing he hasn't moved, I know how to get there in less than I told her." He smiled at me.

"You are brilliant." He gave my arm a squeeze. I probably blushed a little.

"Listen, I'm sorry about last night, you were right. I was spooked. You know it's been awhile since I've been asked out." I apologized.

"So is that a yes?" Stark asked a little bit of hope shining in his eye. I shook my head.

"Not yet Stark. Ask me again in a few weeks." He smirked at my response.

"Well, until then, let's go rescue Liz." I nodded and went to grab my stuff.