A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter! I know this took me a little while to write because of my horrible math class and me missing 1 week of school for a big swim competition…. but I think it was worth the wait. ;) The next chapter is also finished, so and will be posted after I reach 27 reviews! So if you want to read it right away you know what to do ; P this way I can make the necessary changes you guys wanted or things you don't like.
Disclaimer: you know I really wished I owned something, but life's a jerk sometimes like that and let Dan Schneider own it all. Sucks eh?
March 18th
The whole time I was stuck in that rotten dungeon, I imagined all the ways I would die. Would he kill me? Perhaps with a knife, or one hard blow to the temple. Would one day all of those beatings just become too much and my heart would stop? Would I lose too much blood? There was always the possibility of me starving to death or even dehydration. All those days I sat huddled in the corner thinking about my death I never even thought of freezing to death. It seemed stupid. How could anyone freeze to death in sunny California? The answer is easy: you can't. My only problem is, I'm not in California anymore, and freezing to death, Is definitely an option here.
I can't remember the last time I was warm. But to be honest I can't remember a lot right now. The only thing I can think of is getting away, getting back home. Last night, right after I realized how very far away I was from my house, I started walking immediately. It was a fast walk at first, wanting to put as much distance between Fred and myself as possible. But soon, after 3 and a half weeks of being trapped in that small dungeon with almost no food, I had to stop. After that every step became a chore. It didn't help that the snow had started falling again. When I had first started walking it had been shallow, only up to about my ankles. Now it had reached halfway to my knees. And although I was grateful it would cover the footprints my boots left in the snow, it made each and every step nearly impossible.
When at last 6 hours later I came across a deserted old barn I all but ran I, desperate to shield myself from some of the freezing wind that had chilled my entire body. That's where I am now. Sitting in the middle of the barn with a small, pathetic fire burning beside me. It's a disgrace to fires everywhere, but it's unthawed my hands enough for me to write and even warmed my toes considerably. What's even better is the woollen hat, riding gloves and jacket I've found. Anything that will keep me even the slightest bit warmer. I even found a bit of food. Its horse mix, with oats and dried bits of corn, but it's safe for humans to eat and I'm desperate.
Ha, is this what it's come to? Sitting on a dirty floor, shaking from head to toe while eating horse food? It would be almost laughable if it wasn't for the pain. I took a sip of my water and wrapped myself up in the horse blanket I had found in one of the stables laying down beside my fire. Grateful that all of my limbs had been spared from frostbite, I tried taking deep breaths to help my body stop shaking. If I didn't control it soon, my heart could give out, and I did not come all this way just to stop now.
March 19th (early morning)
It's early. Much earlier than I would have woken up at home. My clock says it's 6:00am, but the sun is up and shining and I need to get moving. Fred will be coming downstairs in about 2 hours and I don't want to be anywhere close to the house when he finds out I'm gone. I was packing up my stuff when a thought occurred to me.
Do they even miss me back home? Does Cat cry because I'm missing, or is she still the same annoying red-head we've all come to love. Is Robbie or Rex at all sad that I'm gone, or are they happy I'm not making fun of them anymore? Do Tori or Andre ever think about me, or are they glad they don't have to pretend to want me around? As for beck, is he happy I'm not around demanding things from him? Pushing these thoughts aside I gathered my stuff and left the barn. The snow had stopped but the wind was as strong as ever. I jammed the hat roughly on my head telling myself that of course everyone missed me and would be glad to have me back.
I only wished I believe myself.
March 19th
I went to visit Jade's family this morning. Beck's parents were over too, desperately asking if they had seen their son anywhere. I thought it was kind of weird Beck hadn't told them where he was going. One time my brother did that. He just packed up and left in the middle of the night. He went to join a circus. But he did come home eventually. Although that was more because he was scared of the elephants. Beck doesn't seem like the type of person to do something like that though, I think he's gone to look for Jade, especially since his truck and $10 000 dollars from his bank account are gone. But everyone else thinks he ran away, couldn't handle it anymore. Beck's stronger than that though.
You know I really hate writing in this thing. It doesn't sound like me journal. I sound depressed, crazy even. Jade would know what's wrong with me; Jade knew what was wrong with everyone, even the world. She said everyone is idiots and that's what's killing our planet. She's right you know.
I wonder what Robbie is doing today. It seems weird that at a time like this, I could fall in love. But I did. The other night when he drove me home, I sat sobbing in the front seat of his car. He didn't say anything to me the whole way to my house. He just kept his eyes on the road and rubbed my shoulder gently. When we reached my house I couldn't go in. it's not that I didn't want to, it's just I was crying too hard to unlock the door. Robbie gently took the key out of my hand and opened the door slowly. Picking me up in his arms he carried me to my room and tucked me into my bed. He looked so sad; I could see tears running down his face too. Catching his hand before he could leave I whispered in a shaky voice to him,
"Please stay with me, don't leave. Everyone always leaves me." It probably didn't make much sense but he crawled beside me none the less and pulled me close to him so that I was wrapped in his arms. I used my hands to wipe away the tears in his eyes. he gave an audible sigh. That's when he kissed me. I wasn't expecting it, but I wanted him to.
I slept un-settled for the rest of the night, waking up 3 times screaming and crying from horrible nightmares. But Robbie was always there to calm me. He'd tell me over and over that is was just a dream and rub my back until I fell asleep. He left in the morning when I woke up and after breakfast. Kissing me quickly he went out the door. I knew he wanted to stay, but he couldn't. Life has to go on, even when it seems impossible. Robbie had to visit his grandmother and I was heading to visit my brother in the new mental hospital he was transferred to after being "too much" for the previous hospital to handle. Life has to keep moving.
As I was driving I noticed a rainbow that appeared in the sky. I read a story that said when a rainbow appears, it means a lost person will be coming home. Maybe today it will be Jade.
March 19th
Let me just get this question out of the way right now. No I have not been kidnapped. I left on my own free will. I think I should explain a bit more.
The other night I was sitting at my house. The T.V was on but I wasn't really watching it when the phone rang. I answered it after the third or fourth ring, not really paying much attention the caller, assuming it was André or Cat again.
"Hello," I said dully.
"Listen and listen carefully. Is this Beck Oliver?" the voice question roughly. Sitting up a little straighter I answered back hesitantly.
"Yes"
"You put up the poster of that girl, Jade West, am I correct?"
"Yes," I said again, a little more confidently this time.
"Well what would you say, if I knew exactly where to find her? There is a little catch though. $10 000. You bring it here, straight to me. And I'll give you the girl. But no police. Listen to me carefully boy, if you get any police involved, I can assure you, that you will NEVER see your little girlfriend again. Is that clear?"
"Very," I said determinedly. "Just tell me where I can find her, and I'll bring the money." After he told me his address I hung up the phone and paced the room for about 20 minutes straight. Do I tell the police? I know they'd help, but the guy said not to. I don't want to put Jade's life on line.
Eventually I came to my decision. Packing a few things in a large duffel bag, I got the keys to my truck and left the house with the address to the kidnapper in my pocket. I stopped at the bank in town and withdrew $10 000. Leaving my bank account nearly empty. I didn't tell anyone where I was going, I just left.
The drive took nearly 32 hours. I only stopped twice to get something to eat and use the bathroom. I never stopped to sleep. How could I, knowing I could be just hours away from getting my girlfriend back. My heart hammered louder and harder the closer I drove to the kidnapper's house. We were nearly in Canada now, although it was still the U.S.
When I reached his house I could barely get the truck door open. Taking deep breaths to help calm myself down, I grabbed the sack of money and walked up the driveway. Talk about a shack eh? The house was disgusting. It sat all alone in the middle of a deep forest. The perfect place to hide a kid I thought to myself. I was just about to ring the doorbell when 2 things happened. Firstly I could hear loud angry shouts coming from inside and the sound of furniture being thrown. Cringing for poor Jade's sake I turned my head to the side of the house. Squinting slightly I could just make out the outlines of footprints leading away from the house. Walking around to the side I saw clearly a medium sized hole and I understood. Jade had been here, but she had escaped. And by looks of things, very recently too. Running back to my truck I threw the money in the back seat and sped off along the road in the same direction the tracks were going eager to get away from that house. I drove for almost an hour. The roads bended and swerved and often I had to get out to re-find Jade's footsteps again.
Darkness was starting to fall in when I came across a barn and I parked my truck beside it. The footprints had long since disappeared and now I was driving on instinct. It was getting late too. Even if Jade had been around this morning, she'd be long gone now. My last hope was maybe she had stopped here for a rest and decided to stay a while, out of the cold. Of course I knew she wouldn't be dumb enough to stay so close to her kidnapper, but it was worth a shot. Hiding the money beneath the seat of my truck and making sure all of the doors were locked I walked out and went inside the barn. I ran inside quickly as the wind was starting to pick up even more and it stung my eyes until they watered.
Walking inside I noticed right away that someone had been here very recently. My heart quickened as I looked around the barn. My eyes fell on a small tarp that lay beside one of the smallest fires I've ever seen. I bent down quickly beside it touching the small twigs and embers. They weren't hot, but they were still warm. Grinning happily I walked back out to my truck. Maybe Jade wasn't there now, but she had been. Filled with fresh determination I started the truck back up and began to drive again.
I was right on her trail.
A/N: well that's the end. Hope you liked the chapter; it was the longest one yet. PLEASE REVIEW! THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE POSTED WHEN I HIT 27 REVIEWS! That way I can edit the next one to include things you like reading about . Also it's really appreciated if you review before favouriting or following the story. You don't have to, but I'd really like it if you did. I hope you're enjoying the story. Did you guys like the random Cabbie, moment? Thanks for all you kind words and keep reading!