Oooooh, what secrets do you think the hidden paper contains? The answer: after this. Haha, no, I mean later in the story. Not after this chapter. It all ties together in the end…*insert evil laugh here* And just to tell you, this is my favorite chapter... :D
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Chapter Seven
0900 Hours
Jefferson City
I couldn't sleep that night. My mind was still swirling, racing at a thousand miles an hour. What did Ashley have to do with all of this? What about the paper-what secrets did it hold that Leonid was whiling to kidnap for? Why do they need me? All these questions, and more, remained unanswered as I slowly fell into a light, restless sleep.
I woke up with a start. My bedside clock read 0901-drat, I'm late for school. I thought with a sigh. Oh well, it's Friday anyway.
Besides, I knew I needed to talk to Ashley's parents to see if she ever showed up yesterday. If not…well, I didn't want to think about it.
After I dressed and grabbed a quick breakfast, I was about to turn the doorknob leading outside when something stopped me in my tracks. I froze as someone slipped a thick envelope underneath the door, my name written on it in big, bold letters. Before I could think, I wrenched the door wide open.
Leonid, startled, scrambled backwards down the steps. "You're supposed to be in school." He hissed as he rushed to the black SUV parked in my driveway. "Stop!" I shouted, grabbing my cell phone and calling 911. Grabbing the envelope and sticking it in my back pocket, I shut the door.
I was shouting directions to the stunned operator even as I ran to our garage. I had the garage door opened and my parent's car backing out of the driveway before the SUV had made the turn left, off my street. Normally, with only my permit, I could drive with an older adult in the passenger seat-and only then. Well, I guess this is an emergency! I thought, still telling the operator which way the SUV was heading. "He's turning left onto Redbud Avenue!" I shouted, somehow managing to turn left too while holding a cell phone up to my ear.
It was a cat and mouse chase. Just as soon as I would catch up to Leonid, the SUV would put on a burst of speed, leaving me behind. It went on this way for miles; I could hear the sirens, but they never got closer as I kept yelling directions to the operator. I noticed they kept leading me further and further into the seedy section of town, but grimly kept going.
To be true, I was mad. Mad at Leonid, mad at Ashley for getting caught, and mad at my parents for being spies and dragging me into this mess. So angry was I that I missed the SUV turning off.
"No!" I cried as I flew past the right turn. "They went right! Onto Fox Trot Lane!" I yelled, slowing down so I could turn on the GPS in the car. Searching for another way to cut them off, I was so focused that I didn't even hear the car behind me.
WHAM! My head shot forward and back again with amazing speed as the car hit me head-on. "AHHH!" I screamed, my forehead throbbing with pain. I could feel something liquid and warm dribbling down the side of my face and winced.
The car that hit me slowly separated itself from my car and pealed down the street. To my utter horror and anger, the black SUV had hit me-on purpose, I could tell from the smug look Leonid gave me as he motioned for the driver to keep going.
I watched the SUV driving away with a horrible feeling as my heart sunk. Now I was no closer to finding Ashley or my parents than I was a month ago.
I was so dazed that I didn't even hear the operator asking me something until she was practically screaming. "Ah-y-yes?" I murmured, feeling a bit dizzy. "Are you alright? I heard screaming, and-it sounded like a car wreck!" She cried. "The police should be there any second now-do you need a doctor?" I don't even know what I replied. I vaguely remember an officer helping me out of crumpled car before I collapsed.
