Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This isn’t right.

No, it just can’t be right.

How is Robin standing in front of me right now?

He’s supposed to be dead isn’t he.

I saw him.

His body, the one getting dragged into the ambulance.

At his funeral.

I was there.

“Hey Finn?”. I snapped out of my thoughts, I realised he was looking at me concerned.

Oh right. He said hello to me. And I stared at him with no reply.

“Oh, yea. Hello”, I replied slowly.

“You okay? Ya look like you’ve seen a ghost!”. And honestly, I might as well have.

This is all insane. I know it happened. All of it.

All the missing kids. Robin going missing. Getting kidnapped. Talking to all of them through that black phone.
Him.
Killing him…

There’s no way all that was a dream

But then why?

Why did I see the paperboy, Billy Showalter through my window, throwing a newspaper towards our house.

I ignored it at the time. Convinced myself sleep didn’t leave quite yet, and I had to splash my face to fully wake up.

But now…

With Robin sitting next to me, eating his sandwich…

It might have just been real.

_____________________________________

I went home that day to just process what has been happening.

Firstly, I see Billy tossing newspapers and coming in late for Maths class. Second, There’s Robin who came and said hello to me in history class. Thirdly, I see Griffin Stagg in Art class. Then I see Vance Hopper playing the pinball machine when me and Gwen went to the grocery store. And apparently all the posters for Bruce Yamada are nowhere to be seen, because apparently he never was kidnapped in the first place.

And yes I checked the calendar.I’ve asked many people, over and over again about the date, and they all gave me the same response. It’s August 22nd, exactly one week before the kidnapping of Billy Showalter. Which isn’t right. It’s supposed to be December 12th. One week after all of the boys are supposed to be kidnapped.

I sigh.

This is all so impossible.

But it’s happening.

And I have to accept it.

Accept that…

I’m in the past.

Specifically in the past before all the kidnappings.

Which means I can stop myself from going through all that again.

No.

I can stop them all from ever going through all that again.

I can save lives.

The lives of all those innocent kids.

The life of my friend.

My only friend.

I shake all those thoughts out of my head. I need to focus. I need to save them. So I need to do it one by one.
The first victim is Paperboy.

It had been said that Billy was working all summer long, but he still decided to work for a few more weeks. So, on a bright Monday morning. Billy Showalter went to deliver the morning paper like always, and got kidnapped half way, with the only thing left being his bike, and his dog, which somehow found its way home when it realised its owner was gone.

From what I’ve collected. No one else realises they’ve already done everything they’re doing right now. Meaning it’s only me. I’m the only one who can save them.

I stayed up till 2am that day trying to find a way to save Billy.

______________________________________

So, I found a way to stop Billy’s abduction.

Billy gets taken somewhere around 6:10am.

Extremely early in the morning Billy!

And on a school day too!

But anyway. Today’s Friday. So I’ll have to set an alarm for Monday.

I’ll have to get my bike. I didn’t use it for so long, never needed to use it since school isn’t too far from our house.

I’m going to have to do a test ride around the neighbourhood.

So then on Monday, I’m going to follow Billy around.

And yes, yes, I know. That’s creepy. Really creepy. But it will technically save his life. So no harm done.

For now though, I’ll have to go to school, like everything is fine, and that a bunch of kids aren’t going to get kidnapped. And let me tell you this. It’s hard.
Having to see the same kids who were supposed to be dead walk around without a care in the world is agonising.
Especially when one of them is your best friend. But I guess it’s also a little comforting. Knowing they’re alive. Knowing you have a chance to save them. Feels a little unreal.

I take a deep breath. And enter Science class.

___________________________________________

Honestly, thinking about doing it, and actually doing it are two completely different things.

Now that I’m really following him, I feel so much like a creep that it’s not even funny.

And God his job is boring. He’s been throwing newspapers for the past 20 minutes. I need to give more credit to newspaper deliverers. I mean seriously, how has he been enduring this all summer.

It’s honestly extremely surprising how he hadn’t noticed me yet. I guess I’m just as quiet as Robin likes to always say to make fun of me.

Yeah.

Robin.

He’s alive.

I felt myself smile.

Everyone is alive.

I smile to myself, and begin to pedal again when I notice Billy was going for the next house.

_______________________
7 minutes later.
_______________________

“My legs are numb.”, I whispered to myself. Which is true. My legs are numb. That’s what I meant when I said I haven't ridden a bike in a while. “Toture. Literall torture”.

I was running behind, the numb feeling was leaving , and now it just hurts. I was about to lose him, when I saw it..

The black van.

Coming down the street where Billy was.

I suddenly didn't care what pain I was going through. I picked up my pace.

Because this would be nothing compared to what Billy will go through if I don’t get him out of here right now.

I pedalled as fast as I could towards Billy. So fast that I was too late to hit the brakes and came crashing into him.

“Auughhh”
Shit.

I quickly stand up.

“Hey! I’m really sorry!” I grab his hand gently and pull him up. “I didn't look where I was going”.

Billy just looked at me as if trying to analyse my face. He then made a face of realisation, like he recognised me.
“Oh. Finney Blake right? No worries man”, he said, patting my shoulder.
He then started picking up his bike, which made me realise all the newspapers got knocked over on the ground, and so I kneeled down to help pick them up. Billy noticed and just gave me a look of gratitude.

As I was picking the newspaper, I noticed from the corner of my eye, the balck van driving past us.
I suppose he thought taking two kids at the same time would be too difficult.

I sighed in relief as I picked up the last newspaper off the ground and put it in the basket at the back of the bike. Then proceeded to pick up my own bike from the ground.

“Again, I’m really sorry for that”, I said, a little embarrassed.

He just looked at me smiling. “I said don’t worry about it. I mean, no harm was done, so it’s all good.”

Well that was certainly true.

I looked back at the basket of papers. And back at the road the black van drove to. Then looked back down to the basket.

“Hey maybe I can help you with those”, I said pointing at the newspapers. I was still a little paranoid that maybe the van would come back if I left him alone, so I’ll try and keep an eye on him till I know he’s safe.

Billy was obviously confused at the suggestion. I’m guessing no one ever offered him help.

“Are you sure? It is a little tiring.” He said with a little unsure smile.

I just smiled confidently back at him. “Yeah, of course! You can cover this street”. I said making a gesture with my arm to the street Billy was originally going to. “And I can do the street on the other side.” I pointed at the houses across the street.

Billy looked to where I was pointing, and then made a thinking face. I just stood there, a little nervous that he might say no.

“I mean, you can finish the work faster, then you can finally get to class on time. Besides, does not having only your dog with you get a little lonely?”, I decided to add jokingly.

He made a small embarrassed face.

He looked back at the basket of newspapers, then looked back at me, and smiled.

“Ok sure, why not?”

I almost started bawling from relief.

“Thank you!” I said way too excitedly while grabbing a few newspapers from the basket.

“Why’re you thanking me, should be the opposite”, he said while laughing a little, getting back on his own bike.

We spent the rest of the 30 minutes we had throwing newspapers at doorsteps almost rhythmically.

By the time we were done, both our baskets were empty.

I made my way through the street to where Billy was. He just smiled at me, and I smiled back. We went back to school.

For the first time in months, Billy was early for class.

________________________________

I never really realised how comforting walking actually is.

But I suppose I’m only saying this since Robin is here with me. Alive.

Earlier when I came in with Billy, he asked if I would like to sit next to him. He looked extremely giddy, so I just couldn't say no.

Then later in Maths, Robin asked me for help with all of the questions, so I suggested we could go to his house later and study. He accepted instantly.

And that’s how we got here.

Me and Robin walking back to his house for a tutoring session.

And honestly, this is how it should’ve been. That day I mean.

I was supposed to go and toture him. But he went missing the very next day.

I look at Robin, a frown settles in my face.

I’m going to save him. No matter what,

Robin must have noticed my expression, because he turned to me.

“Ok, spill. What’s up with you lately?” He says jokingly, but I know he isn’t joking, he’s genuinely curious.

I just looked at him. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t act stupid with me.” He nudged my arm a little. “I’m talking about how different you’ve acting.”

I just gave him a confused look. And he understood.

“I’m saying you’ve been acting more..” He struggled to find the correct words. “..Mature. Y’know, more wise, like there’s something very important going on in your head”.

He’s right about that. There is something important going on in my head. And that’s the death of people, his death, and all the others. But I can’t just tell him that. So I just shrug.
“Or maybe, you just grew dumber, and now I look all wise and mature to you”. I smirk at him.

He huffs a small laugh. “Ok smartass, no need to brag about all your high and mightiness”. He replies while ruffling my hair playfully.

I just laugh and push his hands away.

We end up spending the rest of the walk talking about how bad teachers are at teaching. Well, it was mostly Robin, but I still listened and gave my opinion sometimes until we reached Robin’s house.

When we entered, We were greeted by Robin’s mother. I’ve met her a few times. She's very kind and sweet. A little strict, but that’s completely understandable when you have Robin as your son.

She noticed us and smiled.

I felt my face fall.

Robin’s mom.

I remember now.

At Robin’s funeral. How much she cried.

She was crying so much, Mr.Arellano had to take her away.

But that doesn’t matter right now.

And it won’t ever matter. I’ll make sure to save Robin.

Save all of them.

I smiled before anyone can notice my face change.

“Good afternoon Ma’am.” I smile.

“Oh Cariño!” She lets out a small laugh. “No need to call me ma’am. Just call me Marina”.

I look back at Robin. I don’t know why. I guess I was searching for permission.

He just smiled at me, and nodded a little.

I’ll take that as a ‘it’s fine’.

I looked back at Marina.

“Ok thank you”. I say.

I suddenly felt Robin put his arm on my shoulder.

“Mama, Finn is going to tutor me.”

She makes a small ‘ahhh’ noise of understanding.

“Está bien amor, solo llámame si necesitas algo.”

I understood none of that, but Robin did, so he just nodded, and then dragged me up to his room.

Before we entered I heard Marina shout for us from downstairs.

“I’ll get you guys some snacks in a few minutes!”

And then we entered.

Robin walked towards his bed and sat down.

I didn’t know what to do, so I just stood there awkwardly.

Robin looked at me and sighed. “Well come on, sit down now”, he patted the space next to him.

So I did.

I took the maths notebook out of my bag. And I started showing Robin my notes and explaining to him how to convert decimals into fractions.

At some point Marina came in with a few snacks containing two cokes, chips and a few mini sandwiches, so we decided to take a food break.

We were sitting in silence for a while, until Robin broke it.

“I noticed by the way”.

I look towards him.

“What?” I look at him confused.

“When you saw mama. Your expression fell for a moment. But only for a moment, then you acted like it never happened. But I noticed”.

Oh.

He moved his whole body towards me, and gave me a serious look. No. He gave me a sad look.

“You’ve been acting weird lately, and then the way your face fell when you looked at mama.” He stopped for a second. “Finney, is this about your mom?”

I almost felt like laughing, but the way Robin was looking at me, I just couldn’t.

So I just stayed still, and thought.

Robin is only half right.

I have been thinking about it. How I travelled to the past. I just kept thinking that maybe if I was able to travel months. Maybe I can travel years.

And save her.

But I know I can’t.

I don’t even know how I travelled in the first place.

I let out a small sigh, averting my eyes back to the sandwich in my hand.

I can’t tell Robin about this. I can’t put such a burden on him. Getting told by somebody that you’re going to die soon is just crazy. He probably won’t even believe me.

So I just say “Yes”.

It’s pathetic honestly.

But I just tell myself that I’m not technically lying to him.

Just not telling him the full truth.

He stayed quiet for a few seconds.
And I was afraid he was going to start asking more questions. But then I felt him moving closer. And then I was aware of his hand on my back, rubbing comforting circles.
I wanted to get on my knees and thank him. ‘Cause I don’t think I could have gone through with the conversation without crying. And Robin doesn’t need to see that.

We spent the rest of the day studying.

At the end of it, it was 8:32pm. Robin understood the basics. Which was apparently enough for him. So it was enough for me.

I say goodbye to Robin and Marina.

As I was heading down the street I hear Marina calling out for me. I turn around and see her and Robin with concerned faces.

“Yes, what’s wrong?” I ask, walking back towards them.

“Isn’t there anyone picking you up amor?” Marina asks.

“Oh, uh no”, I say quietly.

Marina huffs.

“B-but you don’t have to worry! I walk all the time. My house isn’t that far away, just a few blocks.”

I see Robin looking at me disappointed, because yeah, my house might be a few blocks away. 5 blocks to be exact. Which isn’t far by car, but very far by foot. And Robin knew that. He said something to Marina in Spanish, which made her look at me disappointed too.

“That’s not the point cariño,'' she started, walking towards me. “It’s getting dark, walking alone in the dark is dangerous”.

She then takes her car keys from her pockets and asks me to follow her to the car.

I decide to just do what she says. Because if what I heard from Robin is true, she’ll start downgrading my entire existence by just a look if I don’t listen to her.

It was 8:46pm by the time we reached my house. I get out of the car and say goodbye to Marina.

“Adiós cariño”, she says, starting back the engine.

I wave as she drives away. And then enter the house when she’s out of sight.

But I immediately regretted it.

What I saw when I entered was awful.

Many bottles on the floor.
Some fine, and others broken.

I see Gwen crying.

And my dad screaming at her. Something about being too loud, and ‘is peace and quiet suddenly illegal’.

Right.

I’m in the past.

I didn’t get kidnapped.

Dad hasn’t changed.

He’s back to his old self.

Everything suddenly comes crashing down at me.

I feel tears fighting to come out.

But I stop myself.

I’m no longer weak.

So I step forward.

“Dad.”
He stops screaming, and looks at me.

“Finney. Stay out of this.” He says firmly.
Past me. Or in this case, future me would’ve listened. But I’m not that person anymore.

“Leave her alone.”

He looks at me for a moment. I notice Gwen is also looking at me.

“What did you say?”

I take a deep breath. “We’ll be quiet. Just leave her alone.”

He walks towards me.

“Say that again.” He says. Looking at me.

I look right back.

“Leave her alo-”

Before I could say anything else, I feel a sharp pain in my cheek.

He slapped me.

“Go to your room”, he states. “Both of you”. He says a little louder, looking back at Gwen.

He then looks back at me.

I just glare at him.

He then walks towards the living room.
When he finally enters, Gwen immediately runs towards me, and pulls me up to my room.

We locked the room.

I didn’t sleep that night.

The only things that filled the room were Gwen’s soft sobs, and my thoughts.

I spent the whole night thinking how I’m going to protect Gwen.

How I’m going to save everyone.

I was thinking about how the Grabber is still out there.

About how I can’t report him to the police because I have no proof he’s a murderer.

Because he isn’t.

Not yet at least.

And I’d rather not sacrifice an innocent kid.

I’ll just stick to saving them.

I have to deal with things one at a time.

One at a time.

Chapter Text

So apparently, if you help somebody finish throwing newspapers at peoples door, it instantly means you guys are friends. Or at least that’s what I think is happening right now.

When me and Gwen reached school, we went our separate ways. Robin and I don’t have that many classes together, we spend more time after school since he waits for me after my baseball practice.

And in the classes without Robin. Nobody really hangs around me. So imagine my surprise when somebody decides to sit next to me, and that somebody being Billy Showalter. The boy I saved, but no one other than me and the Grabber knows I did.

I just watched him as he took his pencil case and notebook out.

He then looked back at me.

“Stop acting so surprised. We sat together yesterday.” He just stated as if I was stupid for not realising.

“Well yeah, but I thought you did that just to be nice since I helped you an’ all”. I said.

I thought he asked me to sit with him to be nice, and that’d be the end of that. Something to never be talked about. And I wouldn’t blame him. I would’ve saved him, and that would be good enough for me. “It’s just that, most people don’t like being seen around me.”
I looked around the half empty classroom with just a few students, who’re either on their phones or having conversations.

When I looked back at Billy he was just looking at me like I’m the dumbest person on the planet.
And then he let out an amused laugh.

“Well guess what”, he says, putting his arm around my shoulder. “I don’t care what other people think, and you shouldn’t either.”

“Yeah I know, but like still, are you sure you want t-”, I stopped talking when he used his other hand to put a finger in front of my mouth. “Shshsh, I’ll just have to repeat myself I guess”. He takes his hand away. “I do not care what other people think. They can all go f**k themselves. I want to be friends with you, and that’s final. So…”. he takes his arm away from my shoulder and gets his other hand forward for me to shake it. “..will you be my friend?”

I look at his hand for a second.

No one’s ever asked to be my friend. The only friend I already have just asked for help once in Maths class and suddenly we were friends, he didn’t ask, it just happened. But for someone to ask me directly is so different, and yet I’m so happy right now.

So, I take his hand, and we shake.

“Yeah, I’ll be your friend.”

Suddenly the bell rang, and more students started flooding in.

We just smiled at each other before letting go to start getting ready.

_______________________

Later in lunch Billy invited me to sit with him.
All the lunch tables fit four people, but a lot of kids would pull extra tables together so they can sit in groups. The janitors got so tired of having to put them back together that at some point they just gave up, and left them how the students wanted.

Billy took me to a normal table with the assigned four seats. Three of them were empty. And guess who was occupying the fourth seat.

Griffin F**ing Stagg!

He was eating macaroni from his lunch box while reading from a sheet of paper.

Billy sat me down at the chair in front of Griffin, and then sat down next to me.

Griffin didn’t notice us from how focused he was at reading whatever was on the sheet of paper.

Billy realised that, and made an annoyed face. He then stood up and started waving his hand in front of Griffin’s face. “Hey buddy, you gone blind?”

Griffin looked up at him with a frown, but then he noticed me and made a small shocked face.

“Um..hello. Who are you?” He asks me.

“Oh right! My name is Finney. Nice to meet you.” I say.

Griffin just looks at me for a second. He tilts his head towards Billy and whispers something to his ear. While Billy just makes an unamused face.

“No Griffin, I didn’t abduct him. He’s that kid I told you about, the one who helped me with the newspaper yesterday.” Billy just says, sitting back down.

Griffin made an excited face. “Oh yeah! The one you said was the kindest person you’ve ever met! All day you kept saying how much you wanted to be friends with hi-”
Before Griffin could continue what he was going to say, Billy jumped towards him to cover his mouth with both hands.
“Shut up would you.” Billy whisper-yelled.

I just laughed at the whole interaction. They looked like such good friends.

I could only imagine how Griffin felt when he saw Billy’s missing poster.

But I won’t let that happen. Not even to Billy. I’ll save Griffin.

I mean seriously.

Who would look at these two interacting and not save them.

Griffin just looked at me, grinning, while Billy took his hand away and sat down embarrassed.

Suddenly, Griffin leaned forward. Chin on hands. “So, sweet boy. Tell me this'', he grabbed the sheet of paper and started waving it a little in front of my face before plopping it down on the table between us. “Did you hear about the play happening in November?”

Of course I know the play, I watched it.

“Yeah”, I decided to say.

“Mhmm. And do you know what it’s called?” He leaned a little closer.

“Yeah. Christmas Carol, right?” I think that’s what it was called.

Griffin looked taken aback. “Well, do you know what it’s about?”

“Mhmm”, I thought for a moment. “Oh, it's about this very mean man, who gets visited by a ghost who also used to be mean. And the ghost showed the man his past, present and future. And at the end of it the man realises his mistake, and becomes nice.”

I think that’s how the play went. I don’t really remember that much, just the basic plot.

Griffin just looked at me, absolutely baffled.

He was speechless for a few seconds, just remaining unmoving with a shocked face.

I was getting a little concerned, and was about to call out his name.

But then he jumped up, startling both me and Billy.

He went around the table and fell on the floor next to me, wrapping his hands around my waist as an attempt to hug me.

“Billy you were right! He’s amazing!” He then looked up at me. “Please be our friend! Pleaseeee”. He begged.

Then I felt Billy hug my right arm.

Now I’m cornered by two people asking me to be their friend.

And honestly, I’d have to be clinically insane to say no.

I’m not that, not yet. So of course I said yes.

At least now it’ll be easier to save Griffin.

__________________________________

“Ok, but how about this? You shut up for at least 10 minutes, and boom. No more hate, no more war. Just peace and love everywhere, ay?”

Griffin huffs, annoyed.

“Oh yeah, then how about, you delete yourself out of existence, then everyone who’s ever met you can finally get back the brain cells they lost by just looking at you.”

Billy just laughs sarcastically.

This, by the way, is 3 weeks and 5 days later.

September 18th.

Me, Billy, and Griffin became friends. Or if you’re any of my classmates, you’ll say we’re like the bestest of friends. Because both of them started clinging and following me like I’m their life support. And only after we became friends did I realise I have all my classes with them. If one isn’t in this class, the other is. And some classes I have with both of them, so I’m just stuck in this three person table, sitting in the middle, with both of them next to me.
It got so obvious that even Robin noticed, and ended up approaching me in Maths, asking if they’re bothering me.

I just told him the whole story from the beginning when I crashed into Billy. I just left out the part about the Grabber and all.

And he just had an amused look the whole time. Then when more students started coming in, he patted my shoulder, and told me he was happy for me. And I smiled at him. Told him I’d introduce them. And he smiled back, sitting on his seat.

When I did introduce them, which was after school, at this diner not too far away. Billy and Griffin had this look of approval. They were hesitant at first, knowing about Robin’s reputation. But then they became more relaxed when they talked more.

By the end of it they gave Robin a pat on the shoulder. “You’re good. You can continue being friends with Finney”.

Robin just smiled proudly, and patted them back. “You two are also good. You can continue being Finn’s friends”.

And I just laughed at how they made this whole thing about being my friend like a hiring type-play.

By the time we existed, we were exhausted.

Billy and Griffin have their bikes, and they live close to each other. So they’re going back together.

Marina came to pick up Robin 6 minutes after Billy and Griffin left.

I was about to start walking away, when I heard a car honk behind me. I looked back and saw Marina looking at me unimpressed, she gestured for me to get in the car. And again, I did. Because I wasn’t looking for a lecture about life.

This time when I entered the house though, it was quiet. There were a few beer bottles on the floor, but nothing out of the usual. So I just quietly made my way to my room, I took a quick shower, checked on Gwen to see if she was asleep, and immediately went to bed.
I had a peaceful, dreamless night that day.

_______________________________

“Did you guys do the Science homework?”

“No”

“Me neither”, Griffin replied, sighing. “Finney, did you do it?”

“Yeah”. Immediately, both of them took their notebooks out and scooted closer.

“Mind if we copy?” They said in unison.

I just sighed dramatically, and gave them my notebook.

They made quiet ‘Yesss’ sounds.

“Just make sure to paraphrase!” I whisper-yelled.

Billy just gave a thumbs up, while Griffin was already writing.

Griffin.

I need to keep him alive.

I’ve been thinking about how to do that.

Griffin gets taken on September 24th.

Today is September 20.

I’ve already figured out how he gets taken.

Griffin has rehearsal. He told me excitedly how he’s the ghost from Christmas Carol. And I was surprised. Because I don’t remember him in the play, but then I realised. He wasn’t in the play because he got kidnapped before the play. And so I told myself that I’d make sure Griffin will be in that play.

I already connected the dots and found out that Griffin would get kidnapped after one of his rehearsals.

All I have to do is go to all of his rehearsals, and walk him home.

I will try to go to all of them because there might be a chance the Grabber would get Griffin earlier since he didn’t get Billy.

Griffin said that today the rehearsals will start going from 3:20-4:00 to 3:20-4:30.

Meaning he’ll be staying late and his mom won’t be able to get him from her way home.

“I’m going to have to walk all the way home!” He whined.

“Why are you even complaining? I thought you were excited to be in the play.” Billy said, taking a bite of his sandwich.

“Yeah, but walking sucks.”

This was my chance.

“Hey, maybe I can walk home with you.”

Griffin looked up at me. “But it’s till 4:30. What will you do all that time?”

“I’ll watch your rehearsal, duh. I wanna see your acting skills.”

Griffin then made this face of fake sadness.

“Goodness Billy, where the hell did you find someone this incredible?” He said, wiping a fake tear.

“I didn’t find him, he bumped i-”

“It was a rhetorical question.” Griffin deadpanned. Billy just shot him the bird, and went back to eating.

Griffin turned back to me.

“Are you sure you want to stay behind till 4:30?”

I just smiled at him. Of course I will. This is your life we’re talking about.

“Yea, it’s fine. I’ll just come after my baseball practice. Don’t have anything to do after that.”
I softly inhale. “And you know what. I’ll come and watch you everyday.” There, I said it.

“You don’t have to-”

“But I want to. We’re friends, right? That’s what friends do.” The friend bait. Robin uses it on me everytime he waits for me after baseball practice. And it works every time.

Griffin just inhales loudly, and looks at Billy.

“Billy, seriously. Where the hell did you find him? He’s like the light in the dark.” He points a finger at me. “If someone ever hurts this boy I swear on all that is plaid I'll riot. He’s pure”

Billy just gives him a bored look. “Yeah. Stop acting like I don’t already know that.”

Griffin just ignored Billy and looked back at me.

“I would love it if you came and watched me rehearse.” He said, obviously trying to hide his excitement.

I grinned from ear to ear. “And walk you home.” I said, putting a finger up.

Griffin nodded, and scooted his chair closer to me.

Literally one week after we became friends, Billy and Griffin arranged the table in a way where all three of us are on the same side, sitting next to each other with me in the middle. Griffin to my right, and Billy to my left.
And till this day, I cannot figure out why they would do that. But I never asked. Because it honestly felt nice.

______________________________

Today is the day when Griffin gets taken.

I watched his rehearsals and walked him home.

Well. Not walk. We technically rode our bikes, but we still did it together. And I haven’t seen any signs of the Grabber. So today has to be the day.

I put my baseball equipment into my locker, I pick up my bag and make my way to the Drama class.

Robin already left with Marina, who asked me a million questions about how and when I’m going home.
I just told her I’m going home with a friend. And she took that as a good enough answer.

I entered the room and was greeted by Griffin jumping straight at me.

“Finney! You’re finally here!” He grabs my hand. “Come! Come! I wanna show you my costume!”

Griffin dragged me into a room filled with costumes. They were all aligned neatly on hangers.

“Look! Look at it!” He points at a table. On the table I see a costume. A blue torn and old looking type-dress. Made for a ghost.

Griffin lets go of my hand and grabs the costume.

“Isn’t it cool?” He was basically jumping up and down now.

I laugh a little.

“Really cool. Bet you’ll look great in it.”

“Well lucky for you, you don’t have to bet anything, because I’m wearing it for today's rehearsal.”

Griffin put the costume back on the table. “For the past 20 minutes we were just reading a few lines, the costumes came just a while before you came. Meaning you came just in time.” He finger-gunned at my direction while saying the last part.

“Well lucky me”, I smirked playfully. I tried my best to act like everything was ok. Which wasn’t hard. Griffin usually does all the talking, all I have to do is smile and nod.

We walked to the stage, and Griffin went into the changing rooms to get in his costumes. I stood awkwardly waiting for him to walk out. I see the director come out from the back stage, he noticed me and smiled.
“Oh, hey Blake! Good to see you again.” He said, pulling his hand out for me to shake.

“Good to see you too, sir”. I shook his hand. He just laughed.
“Oh come on, no need to call me sir! Just call me Fred.” He patted me on the shoulder.

I nodded and smiled. “Ok”

I don’t really understand what to do in these types of situations. I’m not exactly used to adults being nice to me. My teachers aren’t mean, but they aren't nice either. And My dad, well you know what he’s like. And then there’s the Grabber, and there’s no context needed for that. So I’ve never had adults be directly kind to me in a while. Mom was the first. Marina was the second. That one old lady that greets me and Gwen everytime we go to the grocery store is the third. And now this guy, Fred.
He’s the director of the play, and also the Drama teacher. And from how he’s been saying hello to me, letting me watch the rehearsals, and how much fun all the actors seem to be having. I can confidently say that he’s a good guy.

“Now come on, don’t just stand there. Sit on that chair over there”, he pointed at a chair standing right next to the one he always sits in. It’s the very front row that gives the best view of the play.

“Oh no, you don’t have to. I can just sit in the auditorium.”

“Nonsense! Come, come.” He made a gesture for me to follow him. And I decided to do so. Last thing I want is to make him mad, and get myself banned from rehearsals.

Even though I’m doing this to save Griffin, I still enjoy watching him put his heart out to all his lines. I really like seeing him alive and active. Gives me more determination to save him.

I sit down on the chair, and face the stage, watching as a few actors come from backstage, all in costume and chatting with each other.

“Hey, take this”. I look back at Fred, who has a folder which I’m guessing is a copy of the script for the play. “This is the script, you can follow their lines while they’re performing, and say when they miss a line or forget it. Y’know, like my little helper.” He nudged me with his elbow.

I just laugh a little, and take the script. I open it, and place it on my lap.

I look back up to the stage and notice Griffin coming out from backstage. Costume on.
He glanced at the auditorium for a minute, searching for something. Which is when he noticed me, making his face light up. He waved at me excitedly, and I waved back.

The next 40 minutes were filled with screaming, laughing and lots of running. All the actors seem to have memorised most of their lines. Just forgetting or messing up every now and then. But they still have a month to work on that, so it’ll be fine.

By 4:30 they were able to finish and go over some scenes. Fred stood up and clapped slowly.
“Good job everyone, I can see the improvement, keep practising and you’ll be set on stone by November.”

I stand up and walk to the right of the stage. I glance around for Griffin. Which is when I suddenly feel someone jumping next to me, and making a loud ‘Booo!’ noise next to my ear. I jump a little and look back to see Griffin.

“Goodness Griffin, you scared me.” I put a hand on my chest. He just laughed. I noticed he was still in his costume.

“Aren’t you going to change back?” I ask.

He looks down at his costume. “Oh yeah, I just wanted to know what you thought, about my performance I mean.” He looked a little shy.

I smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “You did amazing! Couldn’t ever imagine doing that myself, you’re really talented Griff.” He looked up at me.

“Really?”

I smiled softly. “Definitely”.

He looked really excited now. Grinning from ear to ear.

“Why thank you”, he said, bowing dramatically.

I laughed.

Griffin is definitely Drama class material.

“Your welcome”.

He grabbed my hand and started dragging me backstage.

“Uh, I don’t think I’m allowed in here. It’s for cast members only isn’t it?”

Griffin just sighed and continued dragging me. “Finney, I love you, but stop. I’m a cast member, and I give you access. Now come on. Wait here.” He pulled his hand away, and grabbed a few clothes from the table next to one of the changing stalls. I stayed still and waited for him to change. He came out about 7 minutes later, which I’m guessing is because the costume was hard to take off.

“Alright, let's go”. We walked out of the changing room and said goodbye to the others who were already done changing, and are waiting for their parents to pick them up.

We walked to the back of the school where we locked our bikes using Griffin’s lock. Yeah, I’m talking about the same lock the Grabber took and used to shut the door to his house. But today I’m going to make sure Griffin never has to write down the lock combination on the wall so he doesn’t forget it. I’m going to save him.

Griffin puts on the combination and unlocks it. He puts the lock in his bag. I get on my bike, and he does the same. We start pedalling away.

“Um..”, I hear Griffin say next to me. “I just wanted to say thank you. For watching me rehearse I mean.” He says, keeping his eyes in front of him. “Not many people would stay extra time behind just to watch some boring rehearsals.”

I kept quiet. I could tell he wanted to say something else.

“I never had many friends, me and Billy know each other since our mom’s are friends, so no one ever actually wanted to be my friend. And if I’m being completely honest, when Billy started talking about this nice boy who helped him with his newspaper, I kinda got jealous.” He paused, and I still stayed silent. I didn’t know what to say to that. I feel really bad now though.

“But…”, he continued. “...now I know that I should’ve been even more jealous…”

Oh.

I see.

“Because-” he was going to say something else. But I don’t think I can handle what he might say next, so I interrupted him.

“I’m sorry!” I stopped pedalling.

He stopped next to me.

“What? Sorry for what?”

“I-I didn’t know I made you feel that way! I really didn’t mean to ruin you and Billy’s friendship. I swear if you want me to, I’ll leave you both alone from now on.”

And even though I’d understand why they wouldn’t want to be friends with me anymore. It still hurts, and I don’t understand why. I would’ve saved both of them, and everything between us would be back to how it’s originally supposed to be. But I know that’s not what I want, I enjoyed our friendship. But if it’s what they want. Then I’d have no choice.

I kept my gaze on where my hands were clutching the handle. I was fighting back tears, and couldn’t bring myself to look at Griffin.

“Oh! No! No no no no no!” He said, getting off his bike. He sounded panicked, so I used all the remaining will power I have, and looked back at him.

He pushed down the stick at the back wheel to keep the bicycle standing. He looked back at me and firmly grabbed my shoulder. I just looked at him, still fighting back tears.

“No Finney! That’s not what I meant! Yes, I did get jealous, but that was before I met you.” He pulled his hands away. “I was saying that I should have have been more jealous, but I said that because he got to meet you before I did. I’m upset I didn’t get to meet you sooner.” He smiled at me. “I’m glad I met you Finney. You’re a good friend, an amazing friend, and you seem to be the only one who doesn’t realise it.”

He came close and hugged me. I just hugged him back. I was so relieved.

As we were hugging, I heard the sound of an engine. I opened my eyes, and I saw it.

The black van.

It came from the corner me and Griffin were heading to.

It started turning around, leaving.

That corner was a small space . Fitting about three to four people if you add the van.

My eyes widened.

He was planning on taking both of us.

If we had continued up that street, we would have both been kidnapped.

I hugged Griffin tighter. Watching intensely as it started driving towards us. I watched it out of the corner of my eye as it drove past us. Which was a smart decision. There was a grocery store right across the street, if he tried taking the both of us in broad daylight, at least one of us would be able to scream loud enough for someone to hear.

When I knew the van was out of sight, I tried to pull away from Griffin, which is when I realised how hard he was hugging me. He had hugged me tighter after I hugged him tighter myself, except he hugged three times tighter. And suddenly I can’t breathe.

I tap him on the back.

“Griff…can’t..breathe..”

He makes a small gasp and pulls away.

“Sorry, sorry. Never really realised how fun it is to hug you.”

I let out a huff.

“Biggest lie of the century. You literally hug me every chance you get, no way you just realised.”

He looked offended.

“That’s not true.”

“So is.”

“Ok then. Name three examples.” He smirked.

“Ahh well you know. Every morning.” I raise a finger. “Every time we meet when we have a shared class.” I raise another finger. “At lunch too, you always put your arm around my shoulder.” I raise yet another finger. “Also not to mention you and Billy always spoon-feed me your lunches.”

“Well firstly, hugging you is nice, so you can’t blame me. And secondly, sharing food with friends isn’t weird.”

“Well how come you never let me share my food?”

“No offence Finney, but you’re scrawny, you look like you haven’t eaten a proper meal for weeks.”

I just huff. He was kind of right. The Grabber didn’t exactly serve me a five star meal when I was down there.

At first I thought that any injuries I had in the future wouldn't exist in the past. But I realised I was wrong after I found the red spots around my hand from when the Grabber first held me tight and sprayed my eyes.

Which means my injuries and scrawniness also travelled back with me.

“It doesn't matter. Let’s go.” I adjust myself on the bike and put my feet on the pedals, ready to go.
Griffin gets on his bike, but before he could start pedalling, I suggested we could go to the other side of the street. He asks why, I just tell him it might be safer if we go through that street from now on and he just agrees, still not understanding though.
We reached his house, and I told him that I’m picking up Gwen from Susie’s. He nodded, and hugged me. We said our goodbyes and he entered his house, and I pedalled away.

I sighed in relief.

I saved him.

I saved Griffin.

I was so happy with myself.

Which is probably why I didn’t notice the black van standing in the corner, watching me.

But that’s a problem for another time.

For now.

Everything's okay.

Chapter Text

“I failed that test with flying colours.”

“Well I think I did ok.”

“Oh, ok smartass. Let’s see how ok you’re going to do with my fist on your face.” He raised his fist up in a threatening manner.

“Billy, relax. I’m sure you didn’t do that bad.” Griffin immediately hid behind me.

“Yeah Billy, let Finney’s kindness calm you down. Just don’t punch me.”

Billy just sighed and put his fist down.

We’re talking about the science test we just had by the way, it was about germs and how they work. It was pretty difficult, the questions had us write very specific answers. So I don’t blame Billy for being so negative about the whole thing. I myself don't think I did well in it.

This, again, is two weeks and 5 days after Griffin’s supposed abduction.

October 13th.

I have saved both Billy and Griffin. Saving them was pretty easy. But now comes the hard part.
The next victim is Vance Hopper. Pinball Vance. The 15yo known for

One: Being extremely good at Pinball
Two: Having serious anger issues
And Three: Getting dragged by the police for stabbing people.

Vance Hopper gets taken on October 18th. And I don’t have much time.
People like me and people like him live in completely different worlds. Meaning I can’t befriend him like I did Billy and Griffin, since he’ll probably throw something at me.
But I still found a way to save him. Because from what I remember, Vance had stabbed yet another kid for bumping into the pinball machine when he was close to beating his high score. And I know this because I was there when it happened.
The police were driving him to the police station, but then, not even halfway, he opened the door of the still moving car, and jumped out. The police tried to catch him but he was already out of sight. And that was the last they’d ever seen of Vance Hopper.

So from that information, I came to a conclusion that the Grabber took Vance by surprise when he ran from the police. And since Vance ran away and was supposed to be hiding no one was around to see it.

Meaning, all I have to do is follow that police car, then follow Vance after he runs away, and stay with him, since the Grabber won’t be able to get Vance by surprise if I’m there to warn him.

A lot of following people around, I know. But this plan is a beautifully crafted plan that took one whole week filled with sleepless nights, crumbled papers with bound to fail plans and lots of books about how to knock a grown man out. The last one is just in case by the way.

So all I have to do is make sure I’m there on the day the police take him, and I need to have my bike ready. My legs will probably fall out from how much I’ll be pedalling, since I’m following a car and all, so I need to drive a little around the neighbourhood later to get myself ready.

_______________________________

“Hey, Robin. What’d you get for lunch?” Billy leaned across the table to sneak a peek.

Robin opened his lunch box. “Fried spicy noodles. My mom made it yesterday, so I just took the leftovers.”

Robin had never sat with us at lunch before because Marina put him in this extra class thing where you come during lunch to learn the subjects you’re doing bad at. Which is why he never sat with us. But ever since I’ve been tutoring him, he’s been getting better grades, and Marina decided to cancel those extra classes, so he can now sit with us.

And also because of that, we had to put the table back to normal, with two people on each side.
When we rearranged the chairs, Billy yelled out ‘DIBS’ about who’s gets to sit next to me. Robin and Griffin groaned and said how that was unfair. Which Billy just responded by making an ‘L’ with his hand, chanting. “Losers, losers, losers.”

It was a hilarious situation. And I enjoyed every second of it. Because it’s times like these where I forget all about the Grabber, the basement, or just that whole disaster by itself. And it is times like these where I get even more motivation to save everyone. Let them experience what they could miss.

We continue eating, meaning there’s now an extra person to spoon feed me. At this point I shouldn’t even bring my lunch, they’re feeding me enough food for the rest of the day.

“You guys really don’t need to do this.” I say, swallowing down the spoonful of lasagna Griffin just fed me.

They all just looked at eachother, then looked back at me.

“Yeah, we do. We definitely need to.” Robin said, ready to get more fried noodles from his lunch box.

“You look like you keep getting skinnier and skinnier.” Griffin said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Are you too busy being a smarty pants that you forget to eat?”

And I know Billy said that as a joke. But he’s still right. Not about being a smarty pants, but about forgetting to eat. I’ve been so busy stressing and planning about how to save Vance that I forgot to eat the required three meals a day. The only reason I haven't passed out or died from starvation is because of them feeding me everyday.

“But still, you guys also have to eat. I have my own food, you don’t have to waste food on me.”

The moment I said that, a silence fell between us. Robin’s noodle filled fork stopped halfway in the air. The only thing that could be heard are the muffled conversation of all the other students in the cafeteria. And I was about to apologise for whatever I had said, but Griffin spoke up.

“What do you mean ‘waste it on you’?”

“Well y’know, you guys don’t need to give me your food.”

They all just sigh, almost in unison.

“Finn, open your mouth.” Robin said, bringing the fork closer.

“No, I’m serious, you really don’t-”

“Open.” He used a firm tone.

At this point, I’m fully convinced they’re mad at me. So I just listened and opened my mouth, feeling Robin place the noodles in my mouth, I close my mouth and he takes the fork away.

I look down, too ashamed to look any of them in the face. I don’t really understand exactly why I’m embarrassed, but I still feel the need to be.
There was a silence for a few seconds, and they must have realised I wasn’t going to say anything.

“Finney, please look at us.” I heard Griffin say. But I still couldn’t look up.

“We’re not mad at you Finney, promise.” I decide to look up. I see all of them looking at me with sad eyes. “We’re just worried about you.”

“But you don’t have to.”

“But we want to. We’re friends right? That’s what friends do.” The friend bait.

I feel myself smile a little. I huff out a laugh and see them all smiling now too.

“Yeah, guess so.” I say, grinning now.
I see Griffin get another spoon of lasegna and move it to my mouth.

“Now open up big guy.”

And I do just that.

_____________________________

I suppose anxious is the word I’d use to describe how I’m feeling right now. But that doesn’t seem right either.

Today’s October 18, 2:43 pm.

I had told Griffin that me and Gwen needed to go on a long errand before she goes to Susie’s, so I won’t be able to come to today’s rehearsal. That’s a lie by the way. But it worked. I felt bad about lying, but it was necessary for Vance’s survival, since it happens somewhere around 3:30, and I won’t be able to be there if I’m in the rehearsal.

I told Gwen I’m riding my bike home and she can just go to Susie’s. She did, and I made my way to the grocery store.

When I reached the store, I saw him. The Vance Hopper. I saw him through the window, playing with the pinball machine.

I take a deep breath, and stop the bike right next to the store. I adjusted myself and the bike so I’m fully facing the street the police car will drive to. And I wait.

I watch Vance through the window. Alive and well. Putting his all into something he enjoys doing. Trying to beat his highscore. I’ll make sure he’s able to beat that highscore.

___________
6 minutes later
___________

“Motherf**cker!”

I immediately shot up.

It’s happening.

Vance is fighting with the kid.

I grip the handle tighter, and put one foot on the pedal, ready to go.

A few more minutes later and the police car comes in. I get a little closer.
I see them coming outside, dragging Vance with them. One of the police officers put him in, the other one gets on the passenger seat, and they start the engine. I start pedalling.

I try my best to stay on the sidewalk, so it looks like I’m just going somewhere. I made sure to keep a 4 meter distance.

We were reaching a corner. But the car wasn’t going to the corner, it was going straight forward to the police station.
When the car was right next to the corner, the car’s back door suddenly opened. Vance Hopper jumped out, and started full on sprinting into the corner.
I started pedalling faster and went into the corner. I see Vance jump into someone’s front yard, but it didn’t seem like he was running anywhere else. He was hiding behind the fence.
I stopped my bike, and quickly turned it the other way and stood still. As I expected both the police officers came running through the corner. They looked around for a minute, and then noticed me.

“Hey boy!”

I look at them with fake surprise as they jog towards me.

“Boy, have you seen someone with curly blond hair running through here?”

I knew they’d ask me that, which is why I turned around, so it looks I saw him run but not where he ran to.

“I saw him, but I don’t know where he ran to.”

They looked frustrated.

“Are you sure kid?”

I just nod frantically, still keeping the scared act.

They sigh.

“Ok, thanks kid.”

They leave and go to the car. Then a minute later, the police car comes through the corner and they drive down the street where they think Vance ran to.

When I’m sure they’re out of sight, I turn my bike around and go next to the fence Vance was hiding behind.

“They’re gone, you can come out now.” I say, knocking on the wooden fence.

I hear the shuffling of Vance standing up, I see his hand clutching into the fence, he jumped over and started looking around. He looked back at me frowning.

“Who the f*ck are you?”

“Uh, I’m Finney Blake.”

He just frowned like he was thinking.

“I don’t think you’d know me, we don’t have that many classes together, and you’re usually absent.”

He just frowns harder.

“Whatever.” He starts walking the directions out of the corner.

I still can’t leave him alone, so I turn my bike around and jog towards him. He looks back at me angry.

“What the f*ck are you doing Finney Blake?” He stops walking and looks back at me.

“Uh um, w-well I’m going the same direction as you.” It isn’t intirelly a lie. I am going the same direction as him, because I’m going to whatever direction he’s going.

He just groans and mumbles something like ‘annoying brat’.

We start walking. I stayed 2 meters away from him, because he obviously doesn’t like me. I kept looking behind me, searching for the van.

2 minutes passed, and that’s when I saw it. Far in the distance, coming from behind.

I feel fear go through my body. I start walking faster to get closer to Vance. He seemed to notice, and he turned his head toward me, but was still walking.

“Stay the f*ck away from me or I’ll kill you.” He threatened. And in any other circumstance, I would’ve listened. But my life isn’t the one in danger, his is. I walk even closer.

“We need to run.” I say facing the road. I know the van is getting closer, so I need to act fast.

“What’d you say to me?” He asks threatenignly.

I looked at him through the corner of my eye.

“Don’t look, but there’s a black van behind us. If we don’t run now, we’re dead.”

He frowns at me, he looks forward then pretends to check the road. He turns back to me.

“Is this supposed to be some kind joke, because I swear to f**king God Blake-”

“It’s not, I swear it’s not. I’m trying to save your life, so you need to trust me here.”

I pause and look at him.

He just looks back.

At the corner of my eye I could see the van geting closer.

Shit.

“Listen, it’s getting closer, on the count of three you get on the companion seat of my bike.”

He just stares at me frowning.

“Please Vance, just trust me.” I said, looking at the corner of my eye anxiosly.

He noticed, and just let out an annoyed huff.

He looks forward.

“Fine.”

Immediately, I take a quick glance back at the van. It’s close, really close. I look back forward, and take a deep breath.

“One.”

I can feel it getting closer.

“Two.”

Vance starts walking just slightly slower so he’s closer to the companion seat.

“Three!”

Almost in unison, both of us jump on the bike. The van is next to us.
Vance looks right at the van as it stopped moving right next to us. He frowned in realisation.
I see the door of the van open. And I start pedalling. Pedalling as fast as possible.

“F*ck.” I hear Vance say. But I didn’t look back. I pedalled and pedalled as fast as possible, so fast that Vance held my waist for balance.

We turn a corner. And that’s when I decide to look back. Just for a second.
I see that the van isn’t following us, not anymore. I still won’t stop though. I keep pedalling at the same speed.
Vance won’t be safe here. We need to find a crowded place. The grocery store.
It’s not far. And at this pace we’ll get there within 4-5 minutes maxinmum.

But suddenly, I feel a sharp pain flow through my legs.

“Shit!” I curse out. My legs feel like they’re burning. I’ve been pedaling too fast, and with extra weight too.

Vance heard me, and stared at me intensly.

“What?”

We start slowing down.

“My legs…augh..”

The bike completley stops. I can’t feel my legs anymore, they’re completely numb, I can’t even move them.

I hear Vance make an annoyed groan. He suddenly gets off the bike.

“Hey, move it, I’ll do it myself.” He says, annoyed. But I can’t feel or move my legs so I can’t stand up.

“I can’t move my legs.”

As soon as I said that, Vance put his hands under my arms and lifted me off the bike. He pushed me down in the companian seat, and then went to sit on the main seat.

“Hold onto my waist.” He orders.

So I do.

“The store.” I didn’t need to say what store. Vance already knows.

“I know, I’m not a f**king idiot.”

He starts pedalling, and he does it faster than me. Which makes sense, he’s much older and stronger than me.

I decided to look back.

And there it is. The van. But it wasn’t moving, it was parked next to the corner I just crossed, and next to the van was a man. Standing there. Facing us. I know who it is, I really wish I don’t, but I do. I turn my head away and just burried my face on Vance’s back. I’d probably get stabbed for it later though. But now, I can’t find it in myself to care.

Vance noticed the weight on his back and looked at me. He then looked behind me and saw the van, but there was no longer a man standing next to it.
He looked back in front of him.

There was silnce.

I was fully prepared for him to yell at me.

But he didn’t.

At some point the bike had stopped, indicationg that we finally reached the store.

I moved my head and arms away from Vance so he can get up.

He stood up from the bike and just looked at me with a look I can’t describe.

Anger?

Confusion?

Fear?

Maybe all three.

It doesn’t matter either way. I had saved him.

But then I thought again.

The Grabber had followed us when we ran. Meaning he might follow Vance if he tried to go home alone.

I looked up at Vance, who was still looking at me.

“If you don’t mind, can I walk you home? I think it’ll be safe for both of us.”

He frowns.

“That’s f**king stupid. Who's gonna walk you home?”

Wait.

Is he?

“Are you worried about me?” Never have I ever heard pinball Vance being worried about anyone. He’s supposed to do like… the opposite.

He frowns at my comment.

“Yeah dipshit. You saved my life…” He paused for a minute.

“...I mean, I saw him. When I got on the bike and you started pedalling. I looked back and saw him. He looked angry, f**king pissed. He also looked tall and strong. I would’ve probably been a goner if it weren’t for you.”

He looked like he was struggling to say something else.

I just smiled.

“You’re welcome Vance.”

He just huffs.

There’s silence for a few moments.

“How did you know?”

I looked up at him. “What?”

“How did you know he was going to f**king kidnap us Blake?”

He yelled at me. Not loud enough for others to hear, just loud enough for me to know he’s angry.

I just looked directly at him.

I knew this would probably happen. As I said, I spent a lot of sleepless nights thinking up plans and alternatives. I already came up with a convincing lie for this question.

“Becaus he tried to kidnap me before. I was able to run away. It had been a coincidence that I noticed the same van coming towards us earlier.” Bullshit. All of it was bullshit.

“Then why the f**k didn’t you tell the police?”

I stared at him.

“I didn’t have any proof.” That wasn’t bullshit. That was true. I have no proof.

He sighed.

“Right.” He bit his bottom lip. “Uh, still, thank you…for saving me.”

I smile.

“No worries, happy to help.”

He frowned, but not in an angry way, more in a pouting way.
He then looked back at me, frowning in an angry way this time. “But seriously. Who’s gonna walk you home?”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be fine. My house isn’t too far away from the store. I can just go by bike.”

It didn’t look like he liked that answer.

“Your legs, dumbass.

“Oh, right.” I looked down to my legs. The numbness was fading away. But it hurts every time I try to move. I guess I got a little carried away.

“I can get my mom to pick us up. She would probably forget about the whole stabbing someone if I told her about this.”

I just laughed.

“Hopefully.”

Ms. Hopper came a few minutes later, she sounded extremely angry when Vance first called.
So I guess that’s where he gets it from.
She calmed down when we told her what happened. She then looked more worried than mad, meaning she had forgotten.

I learned her name was Stella. She’s a nice lady when in a good mood, and angry when not. Vance had gotten that from her. But since he’s a teenager, basically everyday is a bad mood. Which honestly explained a lot.
Vance’s dad also appearantly died when Vance was young. Meaning it’s just them two.

And that made me think.

Vance was supposed to be gone by today.

I thought about how Stella felt.

Realising she lost both her husband and son.

She must have been devastated.

I smile a little.

But she isn’t.

They’re both safe.

“Wow Vance. Never thought you could find a friend this sweet.” Stella said.

“He’s not my f**king friend mom, we literally just met.”

“Then why can’t he be? He seems like such a good influence, you should hang out with him more, teach you some manners.”

Vance just huffs annoyed.

“Oh, that’s it.” I said, pointing at my house.

Stella stopped the car, and I got out.

“Well goodbye sweetie, again, thank you very much for saving Vance, if you ever need anything, just tell me, okay.”

I just nodded.

“No problem, goodbye.”

I entered and heard them starting the car again.

I started walking to my room. Gwen had the sleepover at Susie’s, so all I had to do was take a shower and go to bed. Today I can finally rest for a while.

Dad was already asleep, so I didn’t have to deal with anything.

I entered the shower and took off my clothes. I decided to take a cold shower, cool off a little.
My legs had gotten better while in the car, they still hurt when I walked, so all I have to do now is go to sleep.

And I did. Because Vance is safe.

Three down, two to go.

I can save them.

I can actually save them.

I feel sleep consuming me.

If I wake up the next morning, and see myself smiling. Then that’s something I’ll keep to myself.

Chapter Text

October 22nd.

“Finney, are you okay?”

I look at Billy and Griffin, confused.

“Umm, yea I’m fine, why?”

I was opening my locker to get all the books I’ll need for today when Billy and Griffin came sprinting towards me with faces of pure fright.

“Finney, we heard that some kids have seen you outside of the grocery store with pinball Vance Hopper.”

I mentally facepalm myself.

“They said you guys were talking or something and he looked angry.” Griffin added. “They saw you enter a car with him.”

“So are you okay? Did he hurt you?” Both of them start looking me up and down, searching for injuries.

“Guys I’m fine, promise.” This is bad. I’m guessing one of the kids from the store saw us outside that day. I’m honestly kind of surprised they didn’t say anything sooner.
But that doesn’t matter right now, because right now I have two of my friends looking like they’ve seen a ghost. And I can’t tell them a lie, because there is literally no logical explanation for going into a car with Vance Hopper.

“Then explain! Why did you get in a car with Pinball Vance Hopper?”

Umm, let’s think for a minute. I could tell them the truth, but then they’d also ask how I knew the van was dangerous. I can’t use the lie I used with Vance, because that would just get them even more worried. I’m half sure Griffin would probably get the FBI involved.
Although, I can still tell them some of the truth.

“His mom offered me a ride home. Turns out she’s a very nice lady, the complete opposite of Vance.”

They just looked a little hesitant, but then they just sighed in relief.

“Thank god, I was scared he was bullying you or something. Was fully ready to throw axes.” Griffin just said, putting his arm around my shoulder.

“Isn’t the phrase ‘throw hands’?” Billy came and also put his arm around my other shoulder. Trapping me, or I’m guessing protecting me in some way.

“Nuh uh, I can’t throw hands with Vance Hopper, he’s like twice my size. I’m throwing axes.

Now I’m either wrong or crazy, because for the whole day it felt like Billy and Griffin were more in my personal space than before. Which I didn’t know was possible by the way, so I might be wrong.
I didn’t care either way though. Because they’re my friends, and the fact they’re even willing to talk to me and so casually show affection is a miracle. But I guess I’ve already realised that miracles do exist.

________________________

If I’m being honest with myself. The fact that I was able to successfully save Billy, Griffin and Vance really boosted my confidence. I was never actually fully convinced I’d be able to save all of them, especially not Vance Hopper. But now that I did, I think I could do it.

“Hey Finney, can we get chips, I’m craving it right now.”

I look back at Gwen as I’m parking my bike outside the store. “Yeah sure, but no spicy ones.”

“What! But those are the best ones!”

“No.”

She groaned. “Can we at least get a paprika, those aren’t spicy.”

I sighed. “Ok sure.”

We started walking into the store. I then hear Gwen sigh annoyed. I look at her.

“Of course he’s here again.”

I turn my head around to where she’s looking, and I see Vance.

“Yeah, guess he still hasn’t beaten his high score. Come on, let’s get you those chips.”

“Just hope no fights, I’m so not in the mood.” She says, pulling me by my sleeve to the chips section.

Gwen makes a ‘ah ha!’ and jogs over to an aisle with Pringles, she picks up the Paprika flavour and comes back.

“I want this one.” I nod, and she puts it in the basket.

“Now we need to get the rest of the stuff.” This is the actual errand we were supposed to do. Gwen told me that the fridge has started to get empty, I haven’t noticed but I acted like I did. So now we’re just buying some things that’ll last us for at least a week or so.

We make our way to the juice section, I look around and spot the mango juice and strawberry juice, I take the mango juice and Gwen takes the Strawberry juise . But then, when we were about to go to the cereal aisle, I heard someone curse “F**ing hell!”
We look at where the person is, and see Vance Hopper, once again, cursing at somebody.

“Dammit, why does he always have to fight someone. It’s like he’ll die if he doesn’t.”

I just laugh at Gwen’s comment. “Maybe.”

She looks at me grinning. “Oh no definitely. He fights at least one person. Every. Single. Day. It’s surprising how he isn’t banned from the store yet.”

I chuckle.

“Probably cause he’ll come back anyways.”

She lets out a loud wheeze.

“Yea! Yea!”

We looked back at where Vance is being held by two of the store workers, while he’s trying to beat the kid who distracted him when he was playing.

“The cashier is holding Vance back. It doesn’t look like we’ll be able to buy until all that’s done.” Gwen just sighes dramatically.

I just keep looking at the scene.

Vance isn’t a bad person, he just isn’t able to express his emotions the right way.

I sigh.

I’ll probably get punched in the face for this, but it’ll also probably be worth it.

I take a step forward.

Gwen looks at me. “What’re you doing?”

“Trust me.”

She shouldn’t. I don’t know what I’m doing. But I’m still doing it. No take backs.

I walk towards the workers, and they look at me.
“Kid, stay away, this is a violent indivdual.” No. You’re wrong.

I look at them.

“I can take care of it.” I look at Vance who was too busy trying to kick the kid to notice me. I take a quick deep breath.

“Vance. Stop.” He stops struggling and stays quiet.

“What the f**k did you say to me!” He turned back with an angry face. I was ready to accept my death at this point, but then his expression changed to a more shocked face. He stopped moving for a second.

“Finney?” He made it sound more of a statement than a question. I couldn’t think of anything to say so I just smile at him. I notice that the whole store has gone silent and still, which is making me nervous, because they were probably waiting for Vance to end my life. I look back at Vance, and he was looking back at me, he then turned his head back at the workers and frowned. “Get the f**k off me.” He jerked his arms away from them, and they didn’t do anything because they were looking at me with shocked faces.

I kept on smiling. Vance came and walked in front of me. “Hi, Finney.”

I noticed that his shoulders have calmed down, and he was looking at me with purst lips and a frustrated look. I smile even more. “Do you think Stella would like this?”

He just frowns, but it looks more like a pout to me. I don’t want to test my luck anymore, so I just look back at the cashier worker. “I would like to buy these.” I raise the basket of groceries so he could see. He seemed to have snapped out of whatever trance he was in. “O-oh, yeah. Yeah! Of course.” He took the basket from my hand and walked back to the cashier. As he was doing that, I glance back, and I see people are staring either intensely or in disbelief. I feel myself sweating. I look back at Vance anxiously. He frowns and looks at the crowd.

“What are you all looking at? Turn around or I’m going to bash your f**king faces in!” Everyone just gasps and looks away. Some even made their way out the store. I start calming down a little. I look back at Vance. “Thanks.” He makes this unreadable expression and then nods. I hear a ting behind me indicating the cashier checked all our stuff. I walk towards him, I pass by Gwen who just has her eyes wide open, but isn’t saying anything like she’s thinking. I take all three grocery bags, but then realise that one bag is heavier than the other two, making an imbalance. I won’t have Gwen carry them, so I just have to deal with it. Going to have to deal with those red lines on the inside of my fingers too.

I walk towards Gwen. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Ok. But we’re so gonna talk about that when we get home.”

“Sure.”

We start walking. I wince a little when the pressure of the bag pulls down on my hand. Gwen always did say I have sensitive hands. I suck a breath in and try to hide the pain in my hand.
As we were approaching the door, someone grabs my arm, I look back and see Vance frowning at me.
“What’s wrong Vance?”

He huffs annoyed.

“If you’re weak just say so.” I give him a confused look. He looks down at the bags. “Give them to me, I’ll carry them for you.”

The face I made must’ve been ridiculous because he looked shocked, probably realising what he said.

“This isn’t me being nice by the way. Don’t get any dumb ideas. I’m just repaying you for…well you know.” He looks down when he says the last part.

I smile even though he can’t see.

“Thank you, again.”

“Just give me the f**king bags.” He snatches the two imbalanced bags from my hands, and I thought he’ll only take those, but then he snatched the bag from my other hand.

“Wait, you don’t need to-”

Vance just interrupted me by opening the store’s door aggressively.

“Move it Blake’s. I don’t have all day!”

Gwen looks at me with a nervous expression, asking for permission. I smile and nod. Because I know at heart. Vance is a good person.

We start walking towards my bike. I point at the handlers.

“Just put them here.”

He hesitates for a second, but then he just puts them on. Behind me I could notice Gwen getting on the companion seat. Vance looked at where Gwen was sitting for a second then looked back at me. “Are..uh, your legs ok?”

“Hm? Oh yea.” I shake my right leg to show him. He nods.

“Goodbye Finney.”

“Bye Vance.”

I start pedalling away. The moment I turned a corner Gwen suddenly holds my shoulders. It surprised me so badly I started losing balance, but was able to get it back quickly.

“Gwen! Don’t do that!”

“Finney, I don’t care! What I do care about is what the actual f**k that was about!”

I just make an unimpressed face. “It’s nothing, really. Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“A- you- are you-, are you actually serious!? Not make a big deal about Pinball Vance f**king Hopper calming down and helping you like some dog who only listens to its owner!”

“It’s not like that. It’s just that I might’ve, maybe, kinda saved his life a few days ago and he’s just being nice to me cause of it.”

“What do you mean ‘saved his life’? What's so life threatening that Vance Hopper had to be rescued by the one and only knight in shining armor Finney Blake?”

“Nothing too bad actually, I just noticed a van following him and my intuition told me it was dangerous. I told him and we ran away from it”

“Ha! What? So you just listened to that little voice in your head that told you the ice cream van is suspicious?”

I huffed.

“Yea.”

“Heh. Hahahahahahaha! Wait- no- no way!”

“Shut up.” And even though I said that, I couldn’t help but smile.

The rest of the ride home was filled with laughter and bickering, and I loved every second of it. When we reached the house we got off the bike, I took one bag and was about to take the other two Gwen grabbed them.
“I’ll carry them. You have to take the bike anyway.”

“Uh Ok.” I gave her the bag I was holding and then picked up the bike. We walked in as quietly as possible. I walked into my room to place my bike in. I came out and helped Gwen with getting the groceries out and placing them in their assigned places.

“Well we’re done with that. Let’s go watch TV.”

“Alright.”

_________________________

“Listen up everyone! We’re going against another school three weeks from now! So all of you better start picking your slacks! Don’t embarrass this school!”

All the others start talking among themselves. While I just look down at my baseball gloves.

I know who we’re playing against. Because I’ve heard this lecture before.

We’re playing against Bruce Yamada’s school.

I put the gloves into my locker. Walking out I start thinking. Three weeks from now Bruce is going to play against us, and three weeks from now is also when he’ll get kidnapped. The last time I saw him was after the game. The very next day he was gone. So I came up with two conclusions.
He either, one: Gets taken that morning.
Or two: Gets taken on his way back home after the game.
Since I don’t want to take any risks, I’ll follow him on both days.

I pause. I hate following them like this, I mean I know it’s to save them, but it still makes me feel like him.

I cringe. No. No! I’m not like him, we might be doing the same thing, but for different reasons, completely different reasons. I shove everything in my bag and quickly walk out the field.

I’m frustrated. Really frustrated. I feel shame and anger run through me for even thinking about comparing myself to him. I start jogging, and that jogging turns to running. Before I knew it, I found myself running to the Drama class. I stop right in front of the door. Out of breath, I stand and think. But then I frown and shake my head, thinking isn’t helping me in any way. I take a deep breath and open the door.

“Hey Finney!”

I look up, and see Griffin in full costume up on the stage. He no longer needs his script because he’s memorized the lines. Same goes for most of the others, althoug some still need their scripts just in case. The date of the play is coming close and I’ve noticed how everyone has improved since the first time I came.

I start walking up to Griffin.

“Hey Griffin.”

He then looks at me worried as I come closer.

“Finney you’re all sweaty, what’s wrong.”

It’s because I was running.

“It’s because we’re playing against another school three weeks from now, so the coach is more strict than usual.”

“Oh I see, well I wish you good luck.” He grins.

I grin back.

“I wish me good luck too.”

“Haha, that’s not a thing.”

“It is now.”

_________________________

Three weeks later

Today’s the day. Right after school I’ll play against Bruce, it’s supposed to be my first and last game with him. But of course I won’t let that happen. I remember Bruce was nice to me, called my arm mint, so it won’t be such a difficult task to talk to him and get him to run if I spot the van. The difficult task would be to convince him it’s normal for someone he just met to walk him home. Which isn’t, so I have no idea what to do.

I huff a breath from my nose.

I hear a metal clack on a plate.

“Ok that’s it. What’s going on, you’ve been acting weird for the past ‘I literally lost count’ days.” Griffin and Robin look at Billy immediately.

“Billy! We talked about this! If he’s bothered by something he’ll tell us when he’s ready!”

“Griffin don’t give that bullshit, we all know he'd rather die than put his burdans on others.” Robin says.
Griffin looks down at that. Billy stares at me.

“Spill, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, I swear.”

Billy took a sharp inhale and looked like he was going to say something, but then he closed his eyes and opened them again, but now he had a more sad expression.

“Finney, please. We’re really worried about you. No matter how much we feed you, you’re still skinny, and do you really think we don’t notice those eyebags forming under your eyes.”

I feel a struck of guilt go through me, they were really worried about me. I look back at Griffin and Robin, and they had the same worried expression on their faces.

I look down.

Other than staying up late to stir up plans, there’s one other reason why I can’t sleep. Something that’s been bothering me even before the time traveling. I look up at them.

“I-um” I take a deep breath. “I’ve been…uh, having nightmares.” I scratch my head. “It’s stupid really, but it’s been keeping me up at night.”

“Oh Finn..”

“It’s not stupid if it’s been bothering you like this.”

“Yeah, but like… I made you worry because of some silly nightmares.”

They stood up, and before I could say anything they all hugged me.

“We’ll always worry about you Finney, you’re our friend. How could we not worry?”

“Yeah. I’m like 100% sure you’d worry about us just as much, if even more.” Well you could say that again.

But I don’t say that, I just smile. Because I have friends, ones that would worry about me, and if I’m being honest. That’s all I need right now. So I hug back.

“Thanks.”

_______________________

I figured it out! I know how to save Bruce.

“Hey Finney! Get ready, we're almost up!”

The game is going to start soon. I had figured out how to do it during Science class, which tells you that I wasn’t paying attention of course. But that doesn’t matter.

Robin, Griffin and Billy are watching the game. Griffin had asked Fred if he could skip rehearsals to watch the game, and as nice as Fred is, of course he said yes.

After the game, Marina will pick Robin up, and Billy’s mom will pick Billy and Griffin. Since I didn’t want to worry them, I told them I’d ride home with Gwen, which is a lie. Gwen is going to Susie’s again. The person I’m riding with is Bruce. Which is my plan. I’m going to play out the game exactly like last time, and then I’m going to ask Bruce if I could ride with him. He’s a nice person from what I remember, so I doubt he’ll say no. But if he did, I’ll just have no choice but to follow him, so I really hope he says yes.

“Come Finney! It’s starting.”

I close my eyes and braced myself for the game. “Remember. Repeat the same exact way you played last time, get them all except the last one, easy.” I whispered to myself. I start walking out of the changing room, and out into the field. When I stepped out, I noticed the crowd surrounding us, it was big since it’s the parents from our and their school. I look around for a few seconds when I spotted Robin and the others, they were sitting at the very front row, Griffin noticed me immediately and started dramatically waving at me. Billy and Robin obviously noticed and looked my way, they smiled and waved, less dramatically.
I then hear a loud whistle, indicating that the game is starting, I quickly jog over to my position. I watch closely as I see Bruce making his way into the field and stand in position, bat in hand.
I sharply inhale, and then exhale.

I can do this.

_______________________

“Man, your arm is mint. You almost had me.”

I smile.

“Thanks, you too.”

He grins, and starts walking away.

“Ah, wait!” He turns back.

“Yea?”

“Listen, I know this’ll probably sound really weird, but uh.. I was just wondering if you would like to ride back together later.”

He looks at me confused. “I wouldn’t mind, but why? You tryna know my address or something?” He says jokingly.

I chuckle. “No, no. It’s just, I want us to be friends. I think we both have skills that oppose each other, so maybe we could practice together sometimes, get better y’know.” I mentally cross my fingers.

He stares at me for a second with a shocked face. But then his face busts with a big grin.

“Yea. Yea! Sure, of course. I would love that.”

I felt like collapsing from relief, I really didn’t think that would work.

“Ok, I’ll say goodbye to my friends, be right back.”

“Yea, I need to do that too. See ya.”

We turn our backs and head in different directions. I sigh. Phase one is succesfull, now for phase two. I walk towards the auditorium, but I didn’t see the others.

“That’s not right, I could’ve sworn I saw them here.” Oh, maybe they already left. That made sense, it’s much later than how much they usually stay. I feel disappointed to be honest, so I start turning around to walk away, but then suddenly someone jumps on my back. I look back and see Griffin, with Billy and Robin behind him.

“Finney, you were amazing! I never knew you were so good!” Griffin says, excitedly. I turn around and Griffin gets off me, but still looking excited.

“Of course he’s amazing, this is Finney we’re talking about.” Billy just says it like it's a common fact.

“Yeah yeah, but still.”

I laugh and shake my head.

“I’m not that good.”

“Oh you so are, now shut up and take our compliments.” Robin says, ruffling my hair.

We spent a few minutes chatting until Marina and Billy’s mom came.

“Oh Billy who’s that, another friend of yours?” Billy’s mom asks. A woman with medium height fair hair, and soft green eyes.

“Yes! This is Finney, the one I told you about.”

She then makes this surprised face, her mouth literally formed an o.

“Ah. I see, so you’re the Finney huh? I always wanted to meet you. Billy always finds a way to talk about you.”

“Mom!”

“Haha. What? It’s true.”

Billy just huffs annoyed.

She turns back to me.

“My name is Eva, it’s really nice to meet you sweetheart. Goodbye now.”

I smile.

“Goodbye.”

I watch as she starts the engine and starts driving away.

I immediately turn back and jog over to the field. I get my bike and wait next to the exit. I see Bruce come out from the changing rooms, and starts heading towards me while dragging his bike with him.

“Ready to go?” I ask, getting on my bike.

“Yep, let’s go.” He gets on his bike, and we together start pedalling.

“Some of the others stayed behind.” He says, I keep my eyes on the road, since I can’t let my guard down.

“Why?”

“They want to celebrate the victory.”

“Why don’t you celebrate too?” He just shruggs.

“I don’t really enjoy these kinds of things.”

I just hum in response.

I see two girls walking down a sidewalk, they look at Bruce.

“Hey Bruce.” One of them says.

Bruce looks at them and smiles. “Hey.”

I hear them giggle a little as we pass them.

‘So Bruce is popular, makes sense.’ I think to myself.

We hear a loud ‘Bam’ behind us. Bruce looks back at it, and I was about to do the same, but then at the corner of my eye I saw the front of a vehicle, sitting right at the corner we’re heading towards. My eyes widen. This is it.

Bruce turns his head back forward. “They’re really partying, huh.” He looks at me, but I wasn’t looking at him. I was panicking.

“Hey, Finney. Are you okay?”

I look back at Bruce. I need to think fast, we’re approaching the van at medium speed. When we come closer, it’ll probably come out. Bruce will be done.

“Um..” That's it! “I have an idea.”

He looks confused. “What?”

“Let’s have a race. Whoever gets to that building over there is the winner.” I say, pointing at a building about two to three blocks away. Far enough from the van and close enough for there to be people around.

“Huh, why all of a sudden?”

“Y’know, it’ll help us with our legs, and it’s fun. Come on. I need an excuse to beat you at something.”

He chuckles.

“Ok, game on.”

“Now…”

I listen closely, and hear the van’s engine start.

“Go!”

Both of us start pedaling quickly. When we were getting closer, the van had already come out of the corner, and is now at the side of the street. But we’re not going to stop for it. No. We’re racing. I start pedalling a tad bit slower so Bruce is in front of me. Bruce passes by the van immediately, and when I was about to pass it, suddenly everything is slow motion.
The van’s door opening, I get a sense of deja vu. He had used the same trick he used with me on Bruce, and since Bruce is so nice, he fell right into it.

But that’s not happening, it won’t happen.

I look away from the van. And everything is back to normal. I quickly pick my pace and pass the van. I still keep going though. I need to ensure Bruce is safe. We need to get to that building.

Bruce is in front of me, but I’m still close.
The building, we’re getting close. I take the risk and look behind me. I see him standing there, next to him on the ground are a bunch of groceries. He dropped them before he realised we weren’t stopping. Now he was again looking at us. I gulp and look away.

Finally, we reach our destination. Bruce beat me of course. I look around, and see about three stores around us, meaning we’re safe. I look back at Bruce. He’s safe.

“Man, you’re really fast.” I say out of breath.

He looks at me smiling, and also out of breath. “You’re fast too. And I beat you again.”

I chuckle. “Guess you did. Sigh, mannn.” I say with exaggerated disappointment. A habit I got from Griffin I guess.

“Heh, your arm’s still mint though.”

“Oh, ha phe-ew.” I wipe sweat from my forehead. Because wow, acting so dramatic is really fun, no wonder Griffin does it all the time.

I look back at Bruce who was looking down, smiling. He looks up at me.

“Thanks by the way. I really enjoyed today, actually I don’t think I had this much fun in a while.”

“Happy to be of service.”

He adjustes himself on the bike. “Another race?”

I look back at where the van was, now empty, I look back at Bruce.

“Sure.”

_____________

By the time I got home I couldn’t be bothered to check anything, I was so exhausted from everything. The game, the Grabber, school, everything. I couldn’t be bothered to take a shower, too tired to even take out my clothes. The moment I entered my room, I collapsed on the bed. Because Robin is next. He’s the last one. If I save him I’ll finally be done with all this.

Darkness starts taking over. I don’t know when but suddenly I found myself in a dreamless dream.

…

I probably should’ve shut the curtains.

Chapter Text

“He explained it like three times, how come you still don’t get it?”

“Shut up Griffin, not all of us are smart asses.”

Robin starts laughing. “Don’t worry Billy, I don’t entirely understand it either.”

Griffin just makes this face of disbelief. “Oh my God I’m surrounded by idiots.” He hugs my arm. “Finney, it’s just you and me now.”

“Hey get off him, we need his help, unlike someone.” Billy starts pulling on Griffin's shirt to get him away from me.

“I do need his help, just not on everything, unlike someone.” He emphasizes the ‘someone’.

“Ok you know what?” He let’s go of Griffin’s shirt. “I’m just going to flip my hair, be the adult and let your insults slide.”

“See? This is why you’re stupid, you can’t flip your hair. Robin can, maybe Finney, but your hair is too short to flip.”

“Your brain is too good for your head! Don’t insult my hair.” Griffin rolls his eyes, while Robin has been trying to hide his laugh the whole time.

“Guys, come on, I can explain it again. I’ll explain it as many times as you need. Just please pass the next test.”

“Haha, don’t worry Finn, we will.” Robin puts his arm around my shoulder.

“...Try to…” Billy adds.

Griffin huffs. “As I said, surrounded by idiots.”

“Shut the f**k up Griffin.” Robin and Billy said in unison.

And now it was my turn to laugh.

________________________

November 14th

Two days after saving Bruce, and one week before Robin is taken. I still remember vividly how that day went. Running away to hide in the bathroom. Robin coming in to bandage his hands after the fight with Moose. The promise to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

I don’t think the same events will play out though. A few days ago Max and the others started calling me a few names early in the morning, nothing out of the ordinary, but this time Billy was with me, and saying he looked mad would be an understatement. He looked furious.

That day I learned that even though Billy isn’t the best at punching, he’s an absolute monster when it comes to kicking, from riding a bike every single morning of course.

Bascially saying, they never tried doing anything again, a side eye every now and then, but that was it. Meaning they won’t run after me that day. Although, I still think Robin will fight Moose, which means he’ll still go to the bathroom to bandage his hands. All I have to do is be there, but this time, instead of making Robin walk back home alone, I’ll go with him, since that’s when I think he gets taken.

I take out my lunch box and notice Robin and Billy walking with Griffin in front of them. They sit down on their usual spots.

I smile a little. I could tell from their expressions that the test went well.

“How much did you get?” Robin and Billy looked happy, and Griffin sat straighter.

“We don’t know.” Said Billy.

“The results will come out tomorrow, but I think I did well.”

“Yeah! I finally understood the questions! It was so easy.” Robin and Griffin nodded.

“I’m so happy to hear that, if after all those tutor sessions you hadn’t gotten an atleast average grade I would’ve never forgiven you.” If riding all the way to Robin’s house, then riding Griffin and Billy home, then riding home myself for three days in a row had all been for nothing, I might’ve killed them myself.

I heard them gulp. Griffin then laughs nervously. “Uh ha, yes of course, we wouldn’t want that, would we?”

They all looked nervous.

“But no worries. Since you probably got good grades, we’re all good.” I took out my spoon, and started eating the rice and garlic bread I made yesterday.

All of them started shuffling and taking out their own lunch boxes.

“Hey, Finney! You need to try this.” Billy showed me his lunch box, inside there some kind of noodles with soy sauce. “My mom made them yesterday, they’re really delicious. Here here.” He took a fork of the noodles and paused his hand in front of my mouth, waiting for me to open. “Uh, ok sure.” I open my mouth. And yes, he was right, they are extremely delicious. “This is so good! Your mom is a great cook, I could never make this.”

“I know right- wait what do you mean with ‘make this’? Finney, you can cook!?” They all looked at me.

“Yeah, who do you think makes Gwen and I’s lunchbox?” I pointed at my lunchbox while talking.

Billy and Griffin looked at each other. “I thought your mom made them.” I felt my smile drop.

“Umm, my mom isn’t…with us.” I scratched the back of my neck nervously. Robin gave me a sad look since he already knew, but Billy and Griffin’s eyes widened.

“Oh Finney, I'm so sorry. I-” They both said.

“No no it’s fine. You guys didn’t know, and it kinda happened a while ago, I’m over it.”

They looked guilty. “But still, we’re sorry.”

I could feel my lips crook up. “It’s fine, really. It’s not important either. What is important though are those noodles, Billy let’s trade.” I decided to change the mood.

Billy grinned. “Yeah, of course. Here.” He pushed his lunchbox my way. I picked mine up and placed it in front of him. I started eating the noodles, then I heard Billy make a ‘mhmm’ next to me.

“Finney, these are amazing.” He said, holding up the garlic bread. “Guys try these.” He took two and gave them to Robin and Griffin. They took a bite and made the same sound Billy made.

“You made these huh?”

“Yea, it’s very easy to do really, nothing too complicated.” I remember the first time mom showed me how to make them. I was so surprised by how easy they are to make. All you have to do is mix crushed garlic with butter, then spread that across the bread, oven it for ten to fifteen minutes on 180 celsius, and boom, you’ve got garlic bread. I also recall this one time where we ran out of milk, cereal and eggs. I had only realised we didn’t have those until the next morning, right when I was about to make breakfast. Of course I couldn’t let Dad and Gwen go without breakfast, so I improvised. Tried my best to remember how to make garlic bread, which was very easy. And the moment Gwen took a bite she started saying how I needed to make them every day from then on. She even started making her own and taking them to Susie’s. So, I’m not really surprised that Billy, Griffin and Robin like it so much.

“Hey Finney, can you bring me some tomorrow? They’re really good.” Griffin says, clapping his hands together and placing his elbows on the table, basically begging.

“Yes, for me too” Billy does the same action as Griffin, and then joins Robin.

“Yeah sure, I’d love to.”

Griffin almost flipped the table with how fast he stood up to hug me.

________________________

After watching Griffin’s rehearsals I waved to him and his mom goodbye. Bruce and I didn’t have our practice today since he has relatives coming over, and they’re having a family dinner, so he had to cancel. Which is fine, I had to go to the grocery store since I needed to buy extra bread for the garlic bread I promised anyways. But then when I walked in I was shocked to see Vance playing at the pinball machine, it’s pretty late so I didn’t expect him to be here at this time. I decide to ignore it, he looked kind of angry and I didn’t feel like testing my luck again.

I walk into the bread aisle and start inspecting which one I should choose, probably the square loafs, they’re soft and much easier to cut into smaller squares, that’ll give me the quantity advantage. I take one bag, but then it occurs to me that I’ll probably need to buy more garlic too, maybe even butter. Somewhere in the background I could hear Vance growl at the pinball machine, meaning he probably lost again, and Vance doesn’t take losing lightly, so I need to get out fast. There’s no one else in the store except us and the cashier, if Vance sees me he’ll probably take out his anger on me. I start walking quietly to the dairy section. I was able to go unnoticed because of all the practice I had at home. Quickly, I take a random bar of butter and start going to the vegetable section for the garlic. That section was at the very back, so I didn’t need to worry if Vance was to hear or see me.

I pick up five garlics and put them into the basket. I start making my way to the cashier, when I get there, he notices me. I realise he’s a different cashier from before, probably because they switched shifts. I put everything on the counter, and he starts checking out their barcodes. I decide to look back at Vance who was still playing, too focused on the game to register his surroundings, and honestly thank God for that. Seeing me would probably ruin his mood even more. I turn back to the cashier and pay the money. It’s good he didn’t say anything, because that’ll attract Vance’s attention. As I started walking away the cashier suddenly yells, “Wait kid! You forgot the butter.” Why did I have to jinx it? I hear Vance hit the machine and look back angry, he looks at the cashier and then averts his eyes to me, and I don’t why, but his expression changed entirely when he saw me. He looked more shocked than angry, like he wasn’t expecting me to be here. I try not to think about it as I walk back to the cashier to get the butter.

As I’m walking out of the store, I couldn’t help but take a glance. I saw Vance looking at me with the same shocked expression, but now he wasn’t gripping on the pinball machine like it had wronged him in some way, he was just standing there awkwardly, like he was having this argument in his head.

Now that we made eye contact, it’ll be kind of rude to just ignore him, so I smile and wave at him. He just freezes for a moment and doesn’t do anything, he just stares. Which just makes things more awkward, I decide to end this for both our sakes, so I turn around and open the door to the store.

As I was walking towards my bike I hear the ding of the store’s door being opened. It’s probably someone else entering the store, so I chose to ignore it. I take out the lock of the bike and put the bag at the handle. The moment I was about to get on the bike I heard someone call out my name.

“Finney.” I turn around and see Vance, once again, standing awkwardly, which is a wierd look on him, since his body language is always aggressive.

“Hey Vance, what’s up.” What the actual f**k is wrong with me?! Why did I say that so casually? This guy can literally break every single bone in my body if he so as thought about it, and I’m here saying ‘what’s up’?

“I have a question.” He frowns, thinking what to say next.

All I do is hum in response.

“Are you..” He shrugs. “...in some sense, smart?”

“Uh”, I guess if I’m looking at this from Billy’s or Robin’s point of view, then probably, “Yeah, I’d say so, why?”

He purses his lips at that.

“F**k, well uh…mom thinks it’s about time for me to get my grades up or some shit, and I can’t do it alone. None of those pussy teachers or kids would accept to tutor me, so… you’re kinda like my only f**king option at this point.”

Oh. He wants me to tutor him. I need to think this through first. Vance doesn’t look like he’s playing a prank, he isn’t even that type of person, so maybe he’s being genuine, but that doesn’t sound like Vance either. He did say I was his only option though, and I’d feel bad if I just left him like that.

“Yeah, ok sure. But only on one condition.” He made this face of wide eyes and sucked lips, which is creeping me out. I was never aware he was capable of making faces other than angry ones.

“Yea, what?”

“You have to start coming to school. And I don’t mean like every now and then when you feel like it, I mean every day.” I still have to keep an eye on Robin, I can’t do that if I need to go somewhere else for a tutor lesson, I’ll just do it at school.

“Okay.”

My eyes widen. Wait what? He just agreed like that, I thought he was going to throw a tantrum or something, maybe curse me out and change his mind. Guess Stella worked her mother magic on him, because there’s no way he’d be so desperate he’ll come to me for help, it just doesn’t sound right.

“Okay then, at what days and time seems good for you?”

“At lunch, every day.”

I’m being completely honest here, because that took me off guard.

“I-I can’t do it every day. I have some friends I sit with at lunch, it’ll be rude if I just-”

“Then I’ll sit with you.”

“I don’t think being seen with me will do your reputation good.” He frowns, probably releasing his mistake.

“I don’t care about my f**ing reputation, it means shit to me.” I was wrong?

“Are you sure thou-”

“Shut up.” He says a little loudly, so I listen. “I don’t give a shit about anybody’s dumbass opinions, are you going to totur me or not? It’s a yes or no question, only an idiot would get it wrong, and as you said, you aren’t one, so answer.”

I gulp.

“I’ll tutor you. But I need to ask my friends first.”

“Fine. I’m coming in next week, come to the store some time before that and tell me what they say.”

I nod.

“Goodbye Finney.”

I smile.

“Bye Vance.”

As he started walking back to the store, I got on my bike, and started pedaling away.

How am I going to explain this to the others?

________________________

“WHAT!?”

“Guys, quieter.” I hush them down.

“What the f**k were you thinking Finney!?” Billy grabs into his hair aggressively.

“Yeah! I mean Vance Hopper?! Sitting with us!?” Griffin grabs my shoulders.

“Did he threaten you into this Finn?” Robin was the only one who wasn’t freaking out, he looked more concerned than panicked.

“No he didn’t, I swear. He wants to come back to school, and asked me to totur him so he can get his grades up.”

Griffin just made a face of panicked disbelief. “That’s the biggest bunch of bullshit I’ve ever heard. There’s no way in hell Vance Hopper will ever want to come to school!”

“And I don’t even want him to come back, he’s dangerous.” Billy said.

Griffin nodded.

“We share a PE lesson, and there was this one time where he actually came to school, we were playing dodgeball. He threw the ball so hard, a kid tried to catch it. Do you know what happened to that kid’s fingers?! I’ll tell you, it was bending 90 degrees. BACKWARDS!”

“Yeah Finn, are you sure he wasn’t tricking you or something?” Robin asks, putting a hand on Griffin’s shoulder to calm him down.

“He wasn’t, he isn’t even the type of person to do pranks. I told you, he wants to come back to school. His mom told him so.”

Billy just looked at the ceiling and put both his hands on his face. “Of course. Of course.”

“You guys don’t have to be there. I can just sit in another table when I’m tutoring him.”

“Absolutely not. We’re not leaving you alone with him, no way.”

“But-”

“Finney we’re not upset he has to sit with us, I think, we’re upset that he might be bothering you. We’re just worried about you Finney.” They all looked at me with the same sad-smile expression.

“I know that, and thank you.” All of them are good people, they’re kind and of course would be worried if someone is hurt in any way. “And don’t worry, I think Vance is actually serious about this, it’ll be fine.”

“Sure hope so.” Billy crossed his arms frustrated. All of them looked calmer now, so I smiled.

“Wait, when is he coming back?” Griffin asks, frowning again.

“Next week.”

Today’s November 15th, a Thursday. Robin gets taken on the 21st, a Wednesday. Vance is coming to school on the 19th, a Monday. So if I time this right, I’d be able to multitask my way out of this. I can tutor Vance, and save Robin. Because next Thursday is when I’ll be done with all this, I would’ve saved everyone.

I frown.

‘I’m spending the entire weekend making up plans aren’t I?’

I look back at the others. “But that doesn’t matter, here.” I take out my lunchbox. And open it to show them the garlic bread I made yesterday. “I made lots of it today, take as much as you like.”

Their faces lit up. “Thank You!’

By the end of lunch, not even crumbs were left.

________________________

“Hey Bruce!” I wave.

He looks up at me and smiles. “Hey Finney!” He waves back.

I put down my bag.

Today’s still the 15th. I had watched Griffin rehearse the whole play from start to finish, since the play is on November 24th . I had made sure he got home safe, and then made my way to the empty field, a few streets away from Bruce’s school, where me and Bruce come to practice baseball everyday after school.

“So how was that family dinner?”

He groans. “Gosh it was terrible, so many of my uncles and aunts were mad at me for spending my time playing baseball rather than quote on quote ‘doing something useful with my life’. Like, you won’t be saying that when I become a world champion baseball player!” He shook his bat while saying that.

“Haha, looks like you had fun.” I took out my gloves.

“Pfft, tell me about it.” We laughed. He took out his ball and passed it to me, then went to stand in position. He crouched down, and I stood in my assigned place. “Ready?”

He smirked. “Ready.”

So I threw the ball.

Clack!

“We’re definitely getting better. You especially.” I point at him.

“What, you’re the one getting better. Your throws are so fast and perfect, I kept missing it the first few times.”

I hum.

We’re currently walking out of the field, we’ve been practicing for a whole hour, maybe more. The sky is even becoming a light pinkish red. I walk up to my bike.

“Hey, I can ride home with you. It’s kinda dangerous to go alone.” Bruce looks at me confused.

“But what about you? It’s dangerous for you too, y’know. You’re not immune to danger, Finney, you have to take care of yourself.” He said, worried.

“I do take care, and you don’t have to worry. I can protect myself.” How could I worry about myself when all of you are supposed to be dead right now, it’s shameful of me to think of myself when you’re the ones in danger.

Bruce didn’t look like he liked that answer. “Finney, I don’t mean this in a mean way, but you’re kind of scrawny, you can’t protect yourself.”

“Why does everyone say that?”

“Finney.” He grabbed my shoulders. “You’re my friend, I just want what’s best for you, ok?”
The friend bait again, damn.

“Ok.” He smiles, and pats my shoulder one more time before letting go.

“Now come on, let’s get you home, and no I won’t take any protests, I can protect myself better than you do, no offense.”

I huff, I suppose he’s right. The only reason the Grabber took him last time was because he was being nice.

“But promise me this.”

He looked back at me. “Yea?”

“If a stranger in a black van and or a black hat tries to talk to you, promise you’ll run the other direction immediately.”

“What, you tryna reteach me stranger danger?”

“I’m serious Bruce, I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“Relax man, that’s your problem, you worry too much about people, it’s very kind of you, yes, but you can’t keep putting everyone above yourself like this.”

He’s wrong. It’s not that I just put everyone above myself. It’s that I don’t have a choice. They’ll die if I don’t. But I decided to not say anything, and just nod.

“Good, now come on.” He puts his feet on the pedal and starts pushing down on it. I decide that arguing with Bruce won't get me anywhere, so I just follow him.

Five minutes later and I start recognizing the street we’re in, it’s the one where I had chased that police car on the day Vance was supposed to be abducted. I recognized the police station at the corner and the fence Vance hopped over, even the street the van came from.

It meant we were coming closer to the shop, and we were coming closer to my house.

“Hey, do you want a snack?” I look at Bruce, and then look at the shop, we were coming closer to it, which is probably what he meant.

“Yeah sure.”

We turn our bikes towards the store and park right outside it. It looked pretty empty, and luckily was not closed, so we made our way inside. I look around for a minute, and my eyes widen. There he is, Vance Hopper, playing on the pinball machine.

‘Why is he here so late?’ I look behind and see Bruce glancing around the store.

“Hey Bruce, the chips section is right there.” I point at one of the aisles. “You go, I’ll be right there.”

He nods and walks towards where I had pointed. I look back at Vance, who still hasn’t noticed us come in, and walk towards him.

“Do you live here or something?” He stops what he’s doing and looks back frowning, but then his frown fades.

“You’re here.” He lets go of the game, and I noticed he had lost the score he was getting up to by doing that.

Shit, he’s probably going to beat me up now, I’ve crossed the line.

I took the risk and looked back up at Vance, but he wasn’t looking at the game or me, he was looking at the clock above the cashier.

“Why are you alone here so f**ing late, have you lost your mind?!”

That’s what he’s worried about?

“I’m not alone, I came with a friend.” Vance starts looking around, searching for said ‘friend’. “He’s in the chips aisle, we just came back from baseball practice.”

“You play baseball?”

I was going to say something, but then I hear Bruce call for me.

“Hey Finney! Do you like spicy or barbecue flavor?” I turn around as he was coming out of the chips section. He looked at me and then noticed Vance. “Oh, hey.” Bruce comes walking towards us.

“Uh, Bruce, this is Vance, Vance, this is Bruce, my baseball friend.”

Vance just frowns at Bruce, but Bruce is obviously not affected.

“Is he your friend, Finney?” Bruce asks.

Uh. What do I say to that? I look back at Vance. He frowns.

“Yes, we’re friends.”

I freeze.

Did he-

Did Vance Hopper just say we’re friends?!

I stare at him, eyes wide.

“Well that makes sense, Finney just attracts all kinds of people like that.”

Vance nods, while Bruce is still smiling. I just look at both of them confused.

“What do you mean by that?” They both look at me then each other.

“Don’t worry about it.” Bruce grins

“You out of everybody wouldn’t understand.”

“What-” I couldn’t finish what I was going to say, because Bruce grabbed my wrist.

“Come on, what flavor of chips do you want?”

“Umm.” I look back at Vance. “Do you want some too?” I suppose if he’s willing to say he’s my friend, then I’m willing to act like I am.

Vance just purses his lips in and out slowly. “Sure.”

“Great. Now come on, both of you.” Bruce starts pulling me, while Vance follows.

We look around at all the flavors.

“I can have the barbecue.” I pick up one bag.

“Yeah me too.” Bruce replies.

“Both of ya’ are cowards, I’m taking the spicy.”

“Hey, whatever floats your boat man.”

I huff out a chuckle, and look down, noticing the prices of the chips. They’re pretty high, but I think I’ll be able to pay for them too. So we start walking towards the cashier. Vance and Bruce look at each other.

“So who’s paying?” Bruce was obviously asking Vance that question, but it’ll be rude of me to let them pay.

“Guys, I can pay.” Both of them look at me.

“Absolutely not.” They both say together.

By the time we walked out the store, Bruce had ended up paying, since Vance wasted half of his money on the pinball machine.

______________________

November 19th

Vance has come back to school. I had watched how everyone’s faces fell the moment they saw him walk by. And it makes sense, because although there were times Vance did come to school, it was never in the morning. He’d come halfway and then leave halfway. Never to learn, but to pass time.
So seeing him come in the morning like any other student is sure to spread some rumors. And the rumors continued, all up until lunch.

Lunch was a whole different story. Everyone watched in anticipation as Vance was looking around the cafeteria, searching for somewhere to sit. And you could only imagine the silence that fell down the moment Vance made his way towards us. Especially when he pulled a chair from another table and placed it on the edge of ours, sitting next to me.

I didn’t want to make things any more awkward than they already were, so I took out my notebook and pencil. Which is how we got here. With me explaining to Vance, at this point I think even Billy, Griffin and Robin too, how to do basic algebra.

“Do you guys want some garlic bread?” They all looked up at me.

“Yeah!” Billy, Griffin and Robin jumped up and took like three G breads each. Vance just looked confused.

“Vance, do you want some?” Vance looked down at my lunch box.

“Uh sure.” He put down his pencil, and reached his hand to take one. It was obvious he hesitated, but still took a bite anyway. “Woah.”
He had finished the first one in mere seconds and immediately went to get more.

“Even Mr. Pinball likes your garlic bread Finney, now you have no choice but to make them everyday.”

“Aww, guess I do, tch, unlucky me.”

Griffin chuckles.

“Although, if you guys want me to continue making them, you’re gonna have to bring me the ingredients. If my dad finds out I’ve been making nothing but garlic bread, I’m done.”

Robin looks at the others, because they don’t realise I wasn’t trying to tell a joke, that I was serious about my dad actually beating me if he found out. But I don’t say anything, and neither does he.

“I can get the butter.” Billy says.

“I can get the garlic.” Griffin says after him

“We can get the bread.” Robin and Vance finish off.

“It’s decided then. Thanks guys.”

“Shut up Finney, we have to thank you, and don’t try to say anything else.”
So I don’t.

__________________________

November 21st

I start putting all the garlic bread into my lunch box. Yesterday, all of them kept their promise and brought their assigned ingredients, and I was able to make a lot more than usual.

Today’s an important day. Today is Robin’s turn, meaning after him I’ll be done with all this. I’ll be able to get a good night of sleep. Which has been a problem for me lately. I can’t exactly explain it, but every time I’m walking in or out of my house, or when I’m about to go to bed, I get these weird goosebumps on my neck. It never happens at school or anywhere else. Only near my house, and it’s been creeping the shit out of me for a long time. It started a few days after saving Vance. I started feeling it only when I was coming back to the house, sometimes when I was about to sleep, but now I feel it all the time. Gwen must be feeling it too, because she’s been going to Susie’s a lot more often now, but I think I have it worse. Griffin’s rehearsals have been an excuse for me to stay away from the house, but now with the final play being in three days, I’ll have to come back home early, and have that feeling following me until the next morning. I could ask Bruce if we could practice for more hours, but that wouldn’t be fair for him. Cause unlike me, he actually has a home he can feel comfortable in. I can’t bring myself to take away time he can spend safe and sound with his family just because of some stupid feeling I’ve been having.

I put my lunch box in my bag and started heading towards the door. I open it, and again, I feel the goosebumps, but this time they were stronger. Starting from my neck, going to my shoulders and down my back. I stop dead in my tracks, unable to move due to the uncomfortable feeling going through me. The feeling stayed for a few seconds before finally starting to fade. I could still feel a few goosebumps lingering on my skin. I start looking around frantically. Whatever has been causing this is getting worse, which is why it was so strong just now.

My eyes stop, suddenly even my chest stops moving. It‘s like time has stopped right then and there. I didn’t know if I was breathing or not, a ringing started fading into my ears. I’m scared, petrified.
Right there, not even a few blocks away, was the van, parked on the sideway at the other side of the street, camouflaging itself with the other cars. It wasn’t parked in a ‘kidnap a child’ way, it was parked in a ‘stalk a child’ way. And that’s when I realised, that was the source, the reason for that lingering weird feeling around my neck.

But why? Why is he here? Is he using me as a map, to follow me? Has he figured out that me and Robin are friends? Am I going to lure Robin’s demise right to him if I go to school now?

I was cut out of my thoughts by a hand on my shoulder.

“Come on Finney, don’t just stand there, we’re going to be late.” It was Gwen, she came out with the bike. She grabbed my wrist and started pulling me away from our front step. But I didn’t say a word, too much in my head to say anything, just letting myself get dragged by her. She stopped for a second and looked back at me.

“Can I ride today?”

“Yea sure.” I said, getting on the companion seat, with Gwen sitting on the main. It was probably for the best, I needed a moment to think anyway. Think about why the van is there, in front of our house.

Was this how it was last time? I hadn’t actually paid attention to anything back then. And I don’t remember this feeling back then either. Maybe that's because I wasn’t aware that a danger would actually occur. Maybe it’s because now that I’m aware of the danger of the van, I’m able to realise it is there, like how cells are able to recognise a virus they had previously encountered, they now know what it is capable of and how to deal with it. But the only difference is that I don’t know how to deal with it. I don’t even know how I dealt with it the first time. It was a spur of the moment, like winning the lottery. You’ve won it once, and now know you won’t win it again.

I tilt my head a little to the side, and look behind me through the corner of my eyes. The van was still there, not moving an inch. Maybe he’s giving us a head start, so it doesn’t look like he’s following us. Or maybe it’s not even the same van, and I’m just paranoid. No. What am I saying, it’s obviously the same one. I, of all people would recognize it. I just don’t get it. He’s definitely going to take Robin, but what does he gain by stalking me? Or wait. Is this how he does it? Stalking one kid while planning to kidnap the other. That would make sense, since I’m supposed to be his next target after Robin.

“Augh.”

“What’s up with you?” I look up, confused.

“What?”

“You’ve been acting weird since we stepped out of the house. Are you afraid I’ll crash us?” She was teasing me.

“Maybe.”

“Hey! You betta’ watch that mouth a’ yours, I have both a’ lives right at the palm of mi hands.” she said it in such a funny accent I couldn’t help but laugh. Could always count on Gwen to lift my spirits.

I kept laughing and laughing, and I couldn’t stop. I haven’t laughed so energetically in a while, so I guess this is just me spilling out all the problems and sleepless nights I’ve been dealing with lately by laughing.

By the time I was done laughing, my eyes were watery and my stomach hurt. We were getting closer to school. I was just letting out the last huffs of laughter I had left, when I could hear Gwen whisper something like ‘that’s more like it’, but I couldn’t tell for sure. Maybe she was talking about how she was able to ride us all the way here. But it didn’t matter, I was in a good mood for now, and I’ll try to keep it that way until the end of school.

I got off the bike and Gwen did the same. We started walking towards the front gate to lock the bike. But guess what we walked in on instead.

Robin and Moose, about to fight.

It was expected. It was supposed to happen, so I wasn’t really surprised.

“Looks like Robin’s at it again.”

“Yea.”

“You don’t seem that troubled, I mean he might get hurt.”

“Who, Robin? Have you met him? Moose is as good as done.” Gwen just chuckles at that.

“Guess you’re right.”

“I know.” Now both of us chuckle.

“Well I need to go, see ya.”

“See ya.” She waves and starts jogging to her class. I look back at Robin, it looked like the fight was about to start, so I look away and start making my way to the bathroom.

I had made sure to bring a mini first aid kit, since Robin’s poor excuse of rinsing and banadging his knuckles isn’t gonna do squat to the infections he might get.

As I was walking through the halls, I saw Max and the others looking at me with smirking faces. They noticed I was looking at them, and started approaching me. It was obvious I couldn’t just ignore them, so I stopped walking.

“Well, well, a hell of a group you’ve found yourself, huh Finney.” I didn’t say anything.

“You know, we really missed our little meetups. Let’s go back to that.” I frown. Because when they say ‘meetups’ they mean beating me up in the bathroom.

“No.”

“Hmm, oh that wasn’t a question.” They start coming closer.

I take a step back.

“Robin is outside fighting Moose, so he can’t save you.” One of them says.

I take a step forward.

“And we watched you and your friends in the cafeteria, they’re obviously only using you for your grades, so they won’t care.”

I take a step back.

“So how about it?”

I swing.

I didn’t have a phone or anything to put extra force, so it wasn’t as strong. But that doesn’t matter, extra force was needed to punch a grown man, so I didn’t really need it to punch Max, because he still fell to the ground. The two others immediately kneeled down to help him, I didn’t waste anymore time and immediately beelined to the bathroom.

I, a little aggressively, pushed the door open and went to hide in one of the stalls. A few moments later, I hear Max and the other two, also aggressively, open the bathroom door, obviously angry.

“Looks like you’ve finally grown some balls, huh you f**!”

I didn’t want to listen, so I put my hands around my ears. Max was still yelling at me, probably curses, but it was all muffled from how hard I was pressing on my ear. And suddenly the muffling noises stopped. I pulled my hands away, but it was silent, with nothing but footsteps making their way towards me. But it wasn’t the footsteps of many people, just one person.

The door to the stall I was in flung open, and there standing was Robin. I could hear shuffling footsteps and a door opening and closing, indicating they had left. I looked back up at Robin and smiled.

“Sup.”

“Nothing much.”

He moved out of the way and I walked out the stall. Which is when I noticed his bloody hands.

“Oh! Uh here.” I shuffled into my bag and pulled out the first aid kit. I put my bag down and gestured for Robin to come to the sink. I take out the iodine and some bandages, and start working.

“Did you do it?”

“Do what?” I ask, not looking up, leaving my focus solely on bandaging.

“Did you punch Max in the face?” Guess he saw it.

“Uh, yeah. They were kinda talking some shit, and started coming closer to me, it was self defense.”

He just nods and hums. “I’m not mad, just surprised. Never knew you were capable.”

“What? You thought I was going to stay a damsel in distress forever?”

“I guess so.” He chuckled.

“Yeah well, I can’t keep relying on you to save me. If I don’t start learning at least some ways to protect myself, I’ll start becoming a burden to you all.” For a moment there was silence.

“Finn, is that what you think?” I don’t say anything for a moment.

“Well, it’s just… doesn’t it get tiring having to get in trouble because I’m just that weak.” I need to shut up. He’s frowning, he’s mad at me. And I can't find a single reason why he’s mad.

“No it doesn’t, Finn look at me.” I tear my eyes away from his hands. “You’re not a burden to us, you can’t be a burden to us even if you tried, ok. That’s just how much all of us care about you. And that’s saying a lot when Vance is part of this ‘us’”

“Yeah, I think Vance is only using me for good grades. He’ll probably leave when he passes all his tests this year.” All Robin does is laugh.

“You serious? No puedo creer esto. Do you even see his expression when you’re teaching him, or when you gave him that garlic bread the first day? He enjoys being your friend very much, it’s kinda scary.”

“Really?” Vance does look like he’s enjoying himself. And me too honestly, because after our first interaction, he looked like he was an actually good person, but I kinda convinced myself that he wouldn’t wanna be my friend.

“Finn, idiota. Of course yes. All of us enjoy being friends with you. Even Bruce can confirm. I ran into him a few days ago, and he couldn’t stop talking about how good of a player you are and how it was because of you he’s more motivated than ever to play baseball.”

I chuckle. “You guys flatter me too much.”

“Nuh uh, too much is too little. Now bandage quickly, we’re going to be late.”

“Alright, alright.”

________________________

“Screw you Billy! I don’t care about your opinion.”

“Griffin, that’s hurtful language.” Billy places a hand on his chest dramatically.

“Can both of you shut up, I’m trying to f**ing study over here.” Vance snarls at them.

“Vance, that’s hurtful language.”

“It’ll be real more hurtful when I shove this pen down your throat.”

“Vance, no violence.”

“Yeah Vance, listen to Finney.”

Vance just huffs and looks back down at the equation I had written down for him to solve.

“Guys.” Griffin says, calling for our attention. “There’s a maths test next week.”

“That’s hurtful lang-”

“Your existence is hurtful language!”

I guess Billy and Griffin can’t go a day without insulting each other, some way or another.

This is still the same day. Only this is later at lunch. Robin’s hands are still bandaged, and there is now this whole commotion going on about the fight this morning. But it was actually quite funny how Vance had given Robin a thumbs up, saying ‘He tried to beat my high score once, he failed but I’m still mad he tried’.

“Hey guys, the play is in three days, and since I’m such a nice friend I invite you all to come.” Griffin states proudly.

“Griffin, that’s bullshit language.”

“I uninvite you.”

Billy’s eyes widen. “Wait no! You can’t do that! I need to make fun of you! Invite me back.”

Griffin just gives him a look that says ‘dumbass’ all over it.

I remember the play, and how it went. Not only because I’ve been watching its rehearsals and already know the whole thing, but because I watched it before. I remember Gwen coming to my room and telling me about it. It was after Robin got kidnapped. She had thought that I could use a distraction, and I remember how thankful I was for her, also how scared I was that she'd disappear next. How everyone who was ever nice to me disappeared. Bruce, Robin and probably Gwen. But now I know it wasn’t her I should’ve been worried about.

Wait. Bruce!

“Hey Griffin.” Griffin, who was arguing with Billy about something, looked towards me.

“Yea?”

“Can I also invite Bruce, he’s that baseball friend I told you about.” Griffin thinks for a second.

“Are kids from other schools allowed to come?”

“Yeah, I think there’s this ‘you can bring one friend’ rule written on the posters.”

“Alright, then of course. I’d like to meet him anyway, he can join our little Finney club.” Griffin says, taking a bite of his mac and cheese.

“Finney club? Who decided that?”

All of them just looked at each other.

“Don’t worry about it. Here.” Robin says, pushing his lunchbox towards me, and on cue everyone just does the same.

Also, a funny story. Vance had seen how the others would basically feed me all their food, and he was confused of course. Making them all explain how they’re doing this to get rid of my scrawniness, with Griffin saying ‘he built like a twig, and I won’t have that’. At the end of that conversation, Vance had agreed and understood the situation. Even he himself started bringing extra food to give me. At this point I’m convinced they’re just doing this to annoy me because I can’t, for the life of me, finish that much food, and it just ends with us having leftovers that we give to Griffin for his rehearsal, since he needs the energy.

We hear the bell ring, indicating the end of lunch, so we start packing everything up. Next class is History, which I have with Robin. So we say bye to the others and make our way to History class. This is probably the only chance I’ll have to ask him,

“Hey Robin.” He hums in response.

“Do you want to go to the grocery shop later?”

“Sure.”

“You’re not even gonna ask why?”

“No. I trust you.”

I raise my eyebrow at that. “Ok.”

_______________________

“Where are you guys going?” We turn around, and see Vance approaching us.

“The grocery store. Wanna come?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

We start walking but then Robin pauses. “Wait Finn, aren’t you gonna get your bike.”

I look back at where Robin was looking at my bike, locked on a mini bicycle parking right next to the school.

“No, Gwen is going home with it. She just learned how to ride it perfectly this morning and is now obsessed.”

“Alright then.”

We continue walking. And there was a comfortable silence, or at least for them. For me on the other hand, I’m panicking. Because the van had probably followed me here, and now knows where Robin is. From what I had gotten from his previous attempts, especially Griffin’s, he might try to take Robin, maybe Vance, by force. Both of them are strong, yes, they are also stronger together, yes, but both of them are unprepared. The fights they get to are ones they plan themselves. They fight because they know they’re going to fight. But now they don’t know. The Grabber might park his van, drop his groceries one moment, and knock both of them out the next. And they wouldn’t expect it. They wouldn’t know that they’d have to fight, so they’d fail.

It is a little fortunate I’m here to warn them, but still, the Grabber is an adult, and we’re just a couple of kids. Two knowing how to throw a few punches and kicks, and one being weak, only able to throw one punch that’s sloppy and obviously inexperienced. So having me won’t be of any help other than running. Although, Vance already knows about the van, and he claimed to have seen the Grabber, so maybe he won’t be fooled by him. But Vance is already safe, it’s Robin who’s in danger. Maybe if I see the van coming, I could tell Vance and we could somehow convince Robin to run towards the store. That could work. But then…

Wouldn’t the Grabber just try again? It’s not like he’ll just give up cause he failed once. Will it be like a cycle? Am I going to have to save them over and over again? Are one of them gonna die? Is that the sacrifice I’ll have to take to put that bastard behind bars?

I mentally slap myself.

F**k no. Why would I even think that? I won’t sacrifice them, none of them, no way in hell. I’ll save them over and over and over again. As many times as it takes. I’ll kill him again if I have to. I might end up in jail but it’ll be so worth it.

I start looking around the street. Searching for the van. We were getting closer to the shop, so maybe it’ll come when we’re leaving.

“So what do you guys want, it’s on me.” I say, pushing the door to the store open.

“No it’s not.”

“But I asked you to come, really it’s on me-”

“No Finn, it’s not. It’s on me.”

“But-” Robin grabs my shoulders, and looks at me with concerned eyes.

“I know he doesn’t like it when you spend money on things you don’t need. So really, it’s on me.” Oh. Right.

“Ok.”

“Thank you Finn.” He lets go of my shoulders and starts walking towards the chips aisle. “Come on guys, I’m craving Takis right now.”

____________________

This is impossible! Where the hell is that goddam van? We’ve been walking for so long. I could already see Robin’s house come into view, and the van is still not here. It can’t have kidnapped Robin right in front of his house, that wouldn’t make sense. Then why isn’t it here? Have I messed up the dates? No. I couldn’t have. I would remember if my friend went missing. Especially if that friend used to be my only one. Today is definitely the day.

“Well goodbye you two.” Robin stops in front of his door, but then he turns to Vance.

“Make sure he gets home safe.”

“Would’ve done it either way.” He turns to me and grabs my arm, dragging me away.

“Uh, bye Robin.” He waves at me and enters his house.

I turn my head back around, and expect Vance to let go of my arm, but he doesn’t. He keeps holding it for the whole walk to my house. Only when we finally reach does he let go.

He starts walking away, but I’m still paranoid about the van.

“Vance.” He looks back at me. “If you see the van, run okay. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

He had a look in his eyes, and was about to say something, but cut himself halfway. He then just thought for a second and looked back at me.

“Ok.”

“Thanks.”

“Goodbye Finney.”

“Bye Vance.”

I watched as Vance walked away. Making his way down the street. I was about to get in the house, but then that feeling came again. It was as strong as it was this morning, leaving me frozen in place. The moment it started fading away, I look behind me, to the other side of the street. And there it is, in all its glory, is the van, exactly right where it was this morning. Not even moved an inch.

Wait what? Has he not followed me this morning? What the actual f**k is he doing in front of my house? He was supposed to go after Robin. A million questions run through my mind. But suddenly I get goosebumps again, but not the same ones, this time it’s because of the cold air that hit my arms. Winter is just around the corner and cold air is starting to take over. I’d rather continue my crisis inside. So I open the door and enter. I walk towards the living room. I see dad passed out on the couch, with a half empty bottle in his hands and four empty ones on the table. I walk up to the bottles on the table, I quietly pick them up one by one and then I go and take the one from dad's hand. I take them all and dump them in the trash bin. I walk into dad’s room and come out with a blanket. I cover him from leg to shoulders. Now I need to check on Gwen. I walk into her room and she’s also passed out, her head resting on her arm while she’s sitting on her table, obviously looking like she was attempting to do homework.

I walk towards her and pick her up. She’s a little heavy but I still manage to get her to the bed without waking her up. I take out one of her blankets and cover her. As I walk out, I close the lights and quietly close the door.

Making my way to my room, I kept thinking of the van, of the Grabber. Why he was parked in front of my house? And why didn't he go after Robin?

As I pull the blanket above me, I take a quick glance out the window. The van is still there, but now he was standing right next to it. The feeling comes back again, I freeze for a second, I look away from the window and the feeling starts fading. Immediately I jump and close down the curtains. Because that was terrifying. He’s right outside my house.

There goes my sleep. Right out the window for him to catch and absolutely crush.

“Shit.”

Chapter Text

“Finney pleaseee. My homework is due tomorrow and I have no idea how to do it.”

“You could’ve told that to the teacher.”

“Uhh, if you help me, I’ll ride the bike today and for the rest of the week.”

“Deal.”

Gwen quietly celebrated and then opened up her notebook, she scooted her chair closer and took out her pencil. “I don’t understand what this means.” She pointed at one of the questions from her Science homework.

“It’s easy, try and find information from the text then paraphrase it in your own words.”

“Oh! Then how about this?”

November 22nd.

Exactly the next morning. And as expected, I hadn’t gotten a blink of sleep. At least I think so. Somewhere around 4am to 6am everything kind of went really fast, so I probably half slept for two hours, but that was it. And I’m exhausted now. All night I tried to listen closely for any sounds that could indicate a break-in, but I didn’t hear anything. And then when I heard my alarm, I had fallen off my bed from how badly it startled me. I immediately went to check the van and it was still there of course, but he was gone. Which means two things. He’s stalking me since I’m his next victim, and using me to get to Robin. Neither of those are good things, so I’m going to have to make a change of plans.

He didn’t take Robin yesterday, maybe because I messed up his other kidnappings, so the date for this one changed. It doesn’t exactly change anything, but now I don’t know when or where he’s planning on taking Robin, which is the problem. I’ve come to the conclusion that he knows I’ll probably be in the way since me and Robin are friends, so he’s watching me and waiting for when I’m not with Robin and that’s when he’ll strike.

“Yes, I’m finished. Thanks Finney.” Gwen says, closing her notebook.

“No problem, now pack up and let’s go.” I stand up, and go to put on my shoes. I hear Gwen starting to shuffle around, putting all her stuff in her bag.

“Yes sir.”

I finish tying my shoelaces and that’s when Gwen comes next to me and picks up her own shoes. She puts them on and starts stretching her legs, making a soft ‘crack’ noise.

“What are you doing?”

“I’ll be riding the bike from now on aren’t I? I need to get my legs ready.” She says, doing a final stretch, then standing up straight. “Let’s go.” She holds the bike’s handlers and opens the door, she then walks out with the bike, I just follow her.

When I stepped out, I got the goosebumps again, but they weren’t strong, just enough to make me shiver a little, but that’s it. Probably cause I’m already aware the van is there, and am getting used to its presence. Ew, that sounded wrong in so many ways. I shake my head, and get on the bike. Gwen starts pedaling, I keep my eyes on the van for a few seconds but then I look away. If he wants to get Robin he’s gonna have to go through me first.

“Are you going to the play?” I ask. Deciding to keep my mind off the van for now.

“No. Not really my thing. Are you?”

“Yep, Griffin’s in it, so I don’t have a choice, he’ll just tie me up to one of the chairs if I don’t come.”

“Haha, yeah, probably.”

The rest of the ride to school was quiet, but this time it was comfortable for both of us.

______________________

“I need someone to stab me in the eye with something.”

“I volunteer! Is a fork good?” Billy just looks at Griffin disappointed.

“Don’t look at me like that, you asked!”

“It was a rhetorical request.”

“That’s just disappointing.” Griffin puts his fork down and crosses his arms.

“Is something wrong Billy?” I ask, pushing my lunchbox of garlic bread towards him. He looks down at it and takes one.

“My History teacher is mad at me because she thinks I copied all the information for my homework off of somewhere. And you know what her reason was? ‘You’ve never written anything with such fancy words’, like! I know fancy words, I just don’t use them!” Billy exclaimed, frustrated.

Vance and Robin were trying to contain a laugh, while Griffin just nods.

“I understand her reasoning.” Griffin states, taking some garlic bread.

“Screw you Griffin! And screw both of you too!” He points at Vance and Robin, who are now full on laughing. “Finney.” He turns to me and wraps his arms around my shoulders, hugging me. “You’re the only one who cares.”

Griffin now also started laughing.

I look around me. All of them, laughing. All my friends here, happy and safe. I chuckle.

“I love you guys.” Silence fell. They stopped laughing and all looked at me.

Have I said something wrong? Yeah I did, that probably sounded really weird, I should explain myself, cause this is kind of embarrassing.

“I mean-”

“We love you too Finney.” They all cut me off.

Guess I didn’t.

I smile and they smile back.

“Now here, eat. Mom made these specifically for you.” Vance said, showing me his lunch box that’s full of mini pizzas.

“Thank you.” I take one.

“The whole thing, Finney, it’s yours.”

“Then if it’s mine, I’m consciously deciding to share it with all of you.”

All of the others look at the pizza, then at Vance. He notices and just looks at them unamazed.

“Why are you looking at me? He said you could take.” At that, Griffin and Billy jumped up and took one each, then Robin stretched his arm and took one himself. I look at Vance and push the lunchbox a little towards him, telling him to take one. He looks down at the box and then at me, surprised. But then he smiles a little, and takes one.

“Hey guys.” They all immediately give their attention to me. “Since there’s that Maths test next week, do you guys want to study together?”

“Yes. Of course, who’s house though?” Billy asks.

“Oh, uh. My house is a can’t, my dad doesn’t really like that many guests over.” I think for a second.

“We can do it at my house.” I hear Vance say.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, my mom actually wants some guests over. Everyday she complains to me about how dull the house is.” He just explains, rubbing his forehead.

“It’s decided then. Do we go after school?” Robin asks.

“No, I have baseball practice with Bruce right after my own school baseball practice.” Everyone just looks at me, confused.

“So what? We can just wait for you.” Griffin says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

“No, I don’t want you guys to get bored waiting for me.”

“That’s bullshit. We’re watching, and that’s final.”

“But-”

“Finn. I’m going to keep saying this over and over again. I’ll carve it in your skull if it means you’ll finally understand that we’re doing this because we want to, because we’re friends. Stop thinking that we see you as a burden. Because we don’t.” Everyone just nodded at what Robin said. While I just stayed silent, because what do I say to that. I’ve never received this amount of kindness, especially from people my age. Moments like these are what make me happy I got this second chance in life.

“Thank yo-”

“That’s rule number two. Don’t thank us for doing the bare minimum.” Billy chimes in.

I smile at them. “Ok.”

_____________________

“I feel like collapsing onto the floor.”

“Come on big guy, you did amazing. Here.” Robin passes me a bottle of water.

“Thanks.” I had just finished my baseball practice, and for some reason the sun decided to be a douche. I’m sweating so much right now, literally wasting all of my sixty percent of water. Atleast the clouds are coming. By the time we reach Bruce, it’ll be beautifully cloudy.

“Well that was fun. It’s time to go to that Bruce friend of yours, yeah?” Billy asks.

“Yeah. Let’s get our bikes.”

“Uh.” Me, Griffin and Billy look back at Vance and Robin. “We don’t have bikes. My mom usually gets me.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Oh right. How did I forget that?

“It’s fine, you can just sit on the companion seats.”

They both nod at that, and we start making our way to our bicycles. Billy invites Robin to sit with him, and Robin agress. I decide to call over Vance, he comes over but then pauses.

“I’m riding.”

“Huh? Why?” He just frowns at my question.

“Remember what happened to your legs last time?”

I make this face of silent ‘ohh’. Because, yeah I remember. How could I not.

“Right, yeah, okay.” I move out of the way so Vance can sit on the main seat, and I move and sit on the companian seat.

“Wait, wait. What happened when? What’s wrong with his legs? Finney, what’s wrong with your legs!?” Griffin panics. Billy and Robin also look like they’re panicking. I look back at Vance and see he also looked back at me. For a moment we have this silent conversation about whether or not we should tell them. Vance just nods, saying it’s okay. I look back at the others who are still panicking.

“Um, well. A few weeks ago, I had noticed this van that was following Vance. I decided to help him by getting him to jump on my bike so we can run away. But he’s kinda bigger than me, and that didn’t do well for my legs.”

For a moment there was silence. Robin, Griffin and Billy stood there with faces of disbelief, while me and Vance stood awkwardly, waiting for some kind of reply.

“Ok, you know what.” Billy says, shaking his head. “For the sake of my mental health, I won’t ask questions. For NOW.” He exagurates on the ‘now’, he looks back and sits down on his bike. “But we are so talking about this later.” He points at the both of us. Robin and Griffin nod, both frowning.

“Fair enough.” Vance sits down on the main seat, and starts pedalling. All of us get out of the field and into the street. From then on we started having small conversations, although Billy and Griffin mostly carried it. Arguing of course.

“What’s wrong with you, you mentally unstable child?!”

“If I’m unstable, then you’re phycologically insane! I mean seriously, you don’t like pineapples?! They’re so delicious. I damn well bet you’re one of them people who don’t like pineapple on pizza!” Griffin accuses.

“Yeah! I actually don’t. I don’t like pineapple, and I don’t like pineapple on pizza! I don’t like any type of fruit or vegetable on my pizza. If I want to eat healthy, I’ll just ask my vegan aunt. But when I wanna eat junk food, that means junk food, and not some of your everyday made by mom lunch meal!”

“But the vegetable gives it taste! The cherry on top or whatever.”

“No! The vegetable ruins the taste! It ruins the whole point of junk food!” Billy defends.

“Both of you are wrong. Pineapple is a vegetable and pizza is a soup, vegans are the result of trauma and living with animals. Not to mention dark forces are the reason why you guys haven’t started sacrificing kittens to curse each other to death from how much you fight all the time.” Vance explains. And he was obviously joking, Griffin and Billy also obviously knew he was joking. And yet they still continued to argue, with Vance now in the argument. Robin decided to make the mistake of his life and say he’ll eat the vegetables outside of the pizza and then eat the pizza. Which offended Griffin on an astronomical level. They had continued arguing until I started to notice the field .

“Guys.”

“WHAT?!” All of them said together, angrily turning their heads towards me. They looked really mad from the argument they were just having, but then their faces became faces of realisation.

“No! Finney we didn’t mean that. Sorry!” They all started frantically apologizing.

“No, no, it’s fine. I was just saying we’re here, the field is right there.” I point at the big field on the other side of the street.

“Oh yeah right.” Billy looks at it. Vance starts moving the handlers and makes his way through the street, Robin, who’s sitting with Billy, and Griffin follow behind. We go into the field and stop our bikes next to one of the benches. I look around and notice Bruce sitting down on the ground, messing around mindlessly with his bat.

“Bruce!” I call out for him. He heard me and looked up, I wave my hand, and he quickly stands up excitedly. He puts his bat down and starts walking towards us.

“Are those your friends, Finney?” He looks at them. “Ah, hey Vance.”

“Hi.”

Immediately, Griffin and Billy come walking forward. “We’re not doing this to offend you in any type of way, but we need to ask you a few questions if you want to continue being friends with Finney.”

Bruce just smiles. “Sure.”

“Ok, so question one: Answer honestly. Why do you want to be Finney’s friend?” Griffin asks.

And without any hesitation, Bruce starts talking. “Well, firstly it’s because when I first met him, I thought he was the best player I’ve seen. He also told me I was amazing too, and that he wanted to practice with me more. We rode home together and had a race. It was the most fun I had in a while. He is so kind and thoughtful, I’m extremely grateful I met him.”

Wow. This is… affection. I love it. I smile widely at Bruce.

Griffin and Billy just have their eyes wide open. “Well there’s literally no need for more questions, you didn’t even hesitate to answer. You pass, and now have permission to be friends with Finney.” Griffin says, putting his hand out to shake with Bruce. Bruce grins and shakes it. Billy looks back at Vance and Robin, and then gives a thumbs up. “He’s good.” Robin and Vance nod.

And honestly, even though I’m enjoying all this affection I’m being given. I can not understand what about me deserves this much affection in the first place. I haven’t particurally done anything special to them. At least nothing they know of, except Vance. But other than that, they have no reason for all this. Maybe I shouldn’t overthink it, perhaps that’s just how they show they care.

I look down. But why would they car-

“Now come on Finney, I wanna play.” I was interrupted from my thoughts by Bruce.

“Oh, Yeah ok.” I pick up my bag and take out my baseball equipment. I take out my lunchbox and give it to Vance who was standing closest to me. “Here. If you guys get hungry.” Vance just holds it and I start jogging with Bruce into the field.

“So, how do you want to play?”

“Um, can I be the pitcher today.”

“Of course.”

_______________________

“You guys didn’t eat the garlic bread.” I look down at my lunchbox in Vance’s hands.

“We weren’t hungry, and you two need it more.” Vance says, handing it back to me. Bruce then comes from behind me.

“Ohh, what’s this?”

“It’s Finney’s delicious garlic bread. You need to try it.” Billy replies.

Bruce smiles and looks at me. “Can I have one?”

“Yeah of course.” I open it and move the box in front of him. He takes one and tries it.

“Oh my God, this is so good.”

“Right?” Griffin says it more like he already knows. Because he does.

“Oh, right. Hey Finney, ask him about the play.” Billy tells me. Bruce looks at me confused.

“What play?”

“There’s a play happening in two days over at our school. Griffin here is one of the characters.” I say, pointing at Griffin. “And we were wondering if you would like to come.”

“Yes, I’d love to. I’ll ask my mom to drop me off. Just give me the location.”

I take out one of my notebooks and tear half a page out. I take out my pencil and write down the address of our school and a mini map of where he has to go from the gate to the theatre.

“Here.”

“Thanks.” He takes it and puts it in his pocket. “Now come on, let’s go home.”

Griffin and Robin jump up from where they were sitting on the benches. We start making our way to our bikes as Bruce goes to get his own bike. Vance gets on the bike and I take a seat behind him. Bruce comes walking with his bike and gets on it. And we start pedalling.

“Bruce, what do you think about pineapple?”

“Griffin, don't you f**ing dare try and start that again! Bruce, don’t answer him.” Billy says, before Bruce could say anything.

“Why though?”

“Because Billy seriously thinks pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza, even though it obviously does!” Griffin snarls at Billy.

“Oh really, do you recall when I asked for your opinion. Yeah, me neither.”

“Would you look at you acting all smart? I suppose that stick up your ass is finally finding its way out, huh.”

“I may have a stick up my ass, but at least I don’t have the orientation skills of a wooden plank.”

“Oh! So now we’re getting personal, huh Mr. I push a pull door?”

“THAT WAS ONE TIME!”

They kept arguing back and forth. Bruce started directing his bike towards me.

“Are they always like this?”

“Yeah most of the time.”

“Huh.” Bruce said, looking back at Billy and Griffin who’re still arguing, and Robin who’s covering his ears with his hands, obviously annoyed by the noise. Bruce then chuckles. “Quite an odd group you found yourself around.”

“They’re not odd, they’re just…” I look at Griffin and Billy bickering with each other, still about the same topic. I look at Robin who’s still covering his ears, looking like he’s ready to punch someone. Then back at Vance who’s cursing at Griffin and Billy to shut up. “...not what everyone wants them to be.”

I look back at Bruce, who was looking at me with an unreadable expression. But before I could go more into it, he smiles. “Yea, you’re right, very right.” He now looked extremely happy. Which confused me. Had I said something to make him happy? I don’t think so.

Still confused, I look away and start keeping my eyes on the streets.

I guess it’s a force of habit.

Always keeping my eyes on the road.

Waiting for him to appear.

I shake my head and force myself to look back at Griffin and Billy.

“You sound like an idiot.”

“Of course I sound like an idiot. How else would you understand me?”

Griffin groans at that. “Screw you.”

“Screw yourself.”

“That’s not-”

“Guys.” Everyone shuts up and looks at me.

“Yes Finney?” Vance asks. Suddenly all calm, acting like he wasn’t just throwing the whole dictionary of curses at Griffin and Billy.

“We’re going to Vance’s house aren’t we?” Everyone makes this face of realisation.

“Totally forgot about that.” Griffin then looks back at Billy. “This isn’t over.”

“Wasn’t intending it to be.” Billy fires back.

“Do your parents know about this?” I ask.

“Yeah, we called our mom’s when you were playing baseball. My mom said it’s fine as long as Griffin’s there.”

“My mom said the same thing with you.” Griffin replies.

“Mama agreed since you’re there.” Robin says.

“My mom started freaking out about how she needs to clean the house and make snacks or some shit. Mother stuff, but yeah she said it’s fine.”

“Wait, what are we talking about?” Bruce asks, confused.

“We have a Maths test next week. Finney is helping us study.” Billy answers.

“Oh, can I come? I have a Maths test tomorrow.”

“Yeah, of course.”

“What unit of Maths are you studying?” Bruce asks.

“Square and cube roots.” Griffin replies.

“Hmm, I’m doing Time measurement.” Bruce says.

“Oh! Oh! That’s our next unit after roots. We can study that and then study with you, and have like a head start from our class.” Billy suggests.

“Yes! The best idea you had today.” Griffin says, smiling innocently.

“Shut up.”

“Well, then it’s decided, let's go guys. Vance, lead the way.” I smile at Vance.

“Whatever.”

___________________

We finally reached Vance’s house. Which was a medium sized two story house, it had a blueish and greyish colour to it with a front lawn and a few bushes right in front of the front steps. By the time we arrived, it was noon and the sun was starting to set.

“Where do we park our bikes?” Griffin looks around.

“Do you have locks?” Vance asks, getting off the bike.

“Yeah.” Griffin and Bruce say at the same time.

Vance then looks back at me. “Do you have a lock?”

“Yea.”

“Ok, we can lock them onto my backyard’s bench.”

We start walking towards the wooden door next to the house that leads to the backyard. Vance points at a bench nailed onto the ground. We pull our bikes and lock them onto the bench’s handles, and legs.

Then Vance leads us towards the backdoor that’s already connected to the house.

“Mom! We’re here!”

From what I’m guessing to be a kitchen. Stella comes walking out with a smile.

“Hey guys- wow.” Stella pauses for a moment, looking at all of us surprised. “Vance, I never knew you had so many friends, and Finney too. I told you he was a good influence.”

“Shut up mom.” Vance says through embarrassed gritted teeth.

“Hehe, now come on everyone, you can study in the living room. I prepared some snacks.” Stella started leading us towards the living room. There was an ovel shaped table in the middle, and a few couches surrounding it. On the table were a few snacks like some chips, mango and orange juice, mini cut chocolate cakes and…

“Garlic bread!” I said that outloud, crap.

“Oh yes, garlic bread. For the past few days Vance has been telling me how much he likes it, so I decided to make some today.” Stella says.

Everyone, including me, look at Vance, who looked extremely red from embarrassment.

“Did he really?” Griffin asks, with a smug face.

“Shut up. All of you.” Vance just looks down.

“Vance! That’s no way to talk to your friends.” Stella scolds.

“Yeah Vance, that’s no way to speak to your dear old fowends.” Billy chimes next to Vance, with an equally smug face.

“Whatever, let’s just start.” We walk over to the couches and drop our bags next to the table.

“You guys have as many snacks as you like. If you need anything, just call me.”

“Ok. Thanky you.” Griffin, Bruce and Billy say.

“Gracias señorita.” Robin says.

“Thank you Stella.” I say.

She just smiles and nods. “Have fun.”

She leaves and we start taking out our notebooks.

“So let’s start from the beginning.”

__________________

“Oh my God, it all makes sense now.” Billy exclaims, putting his hands on his mouth dramatically. “Finney, you’re a genius.”

“You’re so good at explaining. Better than any of my teachers.” Bruce says, picking up his notebook, that’s filled with step by step explanations of how to measure time and space. It was actually pretty difficult to teach Bruce, since I had to go through his Maths book and try to understand it myself before teaching it to Bruce. I had taught the others first, since they actually had no clue about anything. I explained it to them, and then gave them a few problems to solve themselves, and while they were doing those, I explained Bruce’s unit to him. Everything was really difficult to do, but I managed. And now, hopefully, they’ll pass their tests.

I stood up and stretched my limbs a little, and everything cracked. I took the last piece of chips and went to look through the window. It was already dark. Somewhere around 8:24 PM. I walk back towards the table.

“Alright, I think it’s time for me to go.” I take all my stuff and shove them into my bag. Suddenly I hear everyone shuffling around with their stuff, also stuffing everything into their bags. Vance then stands up, and walks over to the window I was just in. He looks through it and notices it’s dark. He looks back at us, specifically me.

“It’s not safe to go with bikes at night.” He pauses and walks into the kitchen. A few moments later, he comes out. “Mom, is going to take you all home.”

“Alright.”

Stella comes out of the kitchen with her car keys in hand. “Come on boys, time to go home.”

We all follow her and Vance outside towards the garage. She starts getting the car open, when Vance calls us over to get our bikes. We do that and help when we have to put them at the back. It was hard but in the end we were able to fit all the bikes.

“Alright. Addresses please.”

___________________

“Goodnight!” I call out for Billy and Griffin as they get out of the car. They yell goodnight back and Stella starts driving again. We had dropped everyone off, and now it was only me left.

“Well, here we are again, huh.”

“Yeah.”

“This time at least you’re Vance’s friend. I’ve actually been wondering why he seemed much more behaved recently. Guess now I know the answer.” She looks at me through the rearview mirror, and I hear Vance groan embarrassed. But I just look at her confused.

“I don’t think I understand.”

I just hear Vance bang his head onto his head rest, and murmur ‘of course you don’t’.

Wait, what was the reason for that? What does he mean by that? I really don’t have a clue why Vance has been well behaved.

Stella just laughs. “It’s cause of you, silly! Vance hasn’t gotten into a fight for days, and that’s like basically impossible. He’s been in a good mood ever since he came back to school.”

“Mom…” Vance pleads.

“Sorry, sorry. But he needs to know! If I find someone that’s as much as a sweetie like him, I need to give him proof that he’s a sweetie, especially when he doesn’t realise it. It’s in the parent rule book! You’ll understand when you grow up.”

Vance buries his face in his hands, frustrated.

While I just sat there, progressing what Stella had just said.

Me? A sweetie? Never heard that one before. I’ve heard that I was too loud by my dad. Too quiet by my teachers. A freak by my classmates. But never a sweetie.

“Here we are.”

I look out the window and notice we arrived.

“Thank you for uh…everything.” I didn’t know what to thank them about. Maybe inviting me and the others into their home? Volunteering to take us all home safely? Saying such nice words to me? Perhaps all of them. I’m thankful for everything.

“No problem sweetie, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” I walk behind the back, and pull out my bike. I turn around and wave at them bye, both wave back and Stella starts the engine and drives away. I walk towards our front step and suddenly realise something. I didn’t feel the goosebumps. I look behind me, towards the other side of the street, searching for the van. But it was gone.

Did he get all the information he needed? Is he planning on taking Robin tomorrow?

Marina takes Robin to school in the morning. But Robin walks back by legs. Is that when the Grabber is going to take him?

All of a sudden, I feel my head spinning and vision get foggy. I rest my head against the door.

I’m tired. Really tired. And all this worrying isn’t doing me any good. I’ll just think about it tomorrow. So I open the door and get in. I just push my bike somewhere in my room and immediately collapse in my bed.

But right before I finally drifted off to sleep. I felt the goosebumps.

_____________________

He came back.

He f**ing came back.

Right there, outisde my window, on the other side of the street. Where just yesterday was finally empty, is the van. He had come back.

But why?

What does he gain from this?

I don’t understand.

I’ve been clenching my fists so aggressively that I started feeling liquid inside my palms. It’s been dripping slowly for ten minutes. But I didn’t feel anything. My whole body is numb. The only thing I could feel was my shaking body, and the sting on my palms. I've been staring out the window for so long. Because somewhen in the middle of the night, the feeling in my neck started getting so much more intense, which resulted in this head splitting headache. It was so bad, I woke up unable to move and resting my head in such an uncomfortable position, it made the headache worse. I had to sit through that for about four minutes until I was starting to get control of my body. And when I had stood up to check the reason for the pain I just went through, I saw in the corner of my eye, right outside my half opened curtains, the van, parking back into its previous spot. And I had stared at it as the sounds of a running engine died down and the sound of the silent night came back. But it wasn’t silent. The ringing that started shooting through my ears was far from silent. Yet I didn’t move. I couldn’t move. Not because of the feeling. Because of the non-feeling. I couldn’t feel anything. My whole body went into an abyss, with all the pain and ringing being nothing but background feelings. I didn’t notice when exactly I had started clenching my fist, or when exactly the sun had started to rise. But it all came crashing to me when my alarm clock went off. It was like I got snapped out of a half dream. That moment when you’re at the brink of sleep, and are already starting to see blurs of your dream, but then get woken up by someone or something. That’s the feeling that went through me. Which is when I decided to look down. On the floor, two piles of blood on either side of me. And that’s the exact moment I started to feel again.

My hands. Bloody. So, so, bloody. Like I was wearing red gloves. And throughout the layers of blood, I noticed the prints of finger nails that had been dug so intensly into my palm, it cut through the skin.

It hurts.

It hurts so much.

I try to move.

Move my legs to go to the bathroom.

To do something other than stand there.

I take a deep breath, and try to move something. Anything.

My head seems to be the only part I’m able to control. I can turn my head left and right. But everytime I try to move my hands or legs, it gets all shaky. I try to move my legs, but they start shaking harshly, like my muscles are clenching onto themselves, trying to move. But then getting nothing but this painful shaking.

Maybe my voice works. I could call for Gwen.

“Gw- augh, f**k-” My voice is hoarse and my throat is extremely clogged up. It took me off guard, but I think I can do it.

“Gwen- mghm! Gwen!” I’m running out of breath. Even speaking is wearing me out. But suddenly, I hear a door fly open behind me.

“Finney what’s wron- Huh!” She gasps loudly. “Finney, is that your blood!? Oh my God, are you okay!?” She comes running towards me.

“I- I can’-augh mo..ve.” I manage to say.

“It’s ok, you’re going to be ok! Come, come on.” Gwen is obviously panicking. She starts going behind me and puts her arms around me. “I’ll help pull ok, we need to go to the bathroom.” I just nod and she starts pulling slowly. Step by step, I try my best to try and move my legs as much as possible, but I’ve been standing for so long, and not to mention how tired I was, all of that piled up with those few hours where I didn’t feel anything. My body must’ve been going through pain. But I didn’t feel it, so I hadn’t done anything about it for hours, and this is the result.

“Ok, we’re here. Sit down. Can you sit down?” She lets go of me for a second and I just collapse on the bathroom floor. “Ok, that’s fine. Umm…”

“Antibiotic…” She looks back at me, shocked.

“What?”

“G- get the- augh…, antibiotic oi-ntment, and some bandages…” It was getting harder to speak.

“Yes, yea ok! I-I’ll be right back.” She sprints out of the room to get the mini first aid kit from my bag. She comes back with it and a tissue box. “L-let’s uhh, wipe the blood first.”

I nod and she starts cleaning off the blood; her hands were obviously shaking, but she tried to be as gentle as possible. The bleeding has stopped, so it wasn’t hard to clean off the surroundings. She put the last tissue down with the rest of the bloodied tissue pile, and picked up a cotton. She took the antibiotic oinmtent and put some on the cotton.

“This is gonna sting, but you’ll be ok. Ok?” She said the last part quietly.

“Ok.”

She raises my hand and puts the cotton on. It stung like hell, my fingers started twitching from how badly my palm hurt.

Gwen finished with my first hand and bandaged it with the white roll bandages. She put that hand down and started working on the next one.

By the end of it, my hands only felt a little numb, I could feel the stinging but it wasn’t that bad. It means the oinmtent is taking effect. But I still couldn’t move properly. Gwen helped me get up, and I was able to take a few steps and move my hands, but I did it with my whole body shaking violently. Gwen had to hold me again for support as I laid down in bed. She looked down at the two piles of blood on the ground.

“You’re not going to school today.” My eyes widen.

“What!?-” I start coughing. “Why..?”

“Finney, look at you! Look at this!” She points at the blood on the ground. “You can barely walk properly! OR EVEN TALK!” She paused for a second. “I won’t let you go to school. No way. You’re staying here, and I’m staying here with you.”

“But-”

“No buts. I’ll call Robin and tell him you’re not coming today.” She left the room before I could reply.

Robin!

No! NO! I’m not with him. He might get taken.

I pause.

Looking out the window. I stare at the van.

“Is this… what you- w- wanted all along…?” I ask, to no one in particular. “To get me… weak?”

So I’m unable to save him.

Bastard.

I bury my head in my legs.

I hear a door click, so I look up.

“I called him, but he hung up on me the moment I said you weren’t coming to school cause you’re sick.”

“Yeah.” He probably has other things to worry about. “Hey Gwen.”

She looks at me. “Hmm?”

“Can you get me some gloves? I don’t want dad to see…uh, this.” I stare down at my bandaged hands.

“Of course.” She walks out the room and comes back with gloves and a wet mop. She tosses the gloves at me. “Here, I need to clean this blood.”

“Ok.”

She begins to mop away all the blood, while I put on the gloves. If dad sees that I’ve made a mess of myself like this, he’ll get mad, and start accusing me of how much I remind him of mom. And I really can’t deal with that right now. I’ve already got enough on my mind. I look back at the van, still sitting there, unmoving.

Gwen finishes mopping up all the blood, and I look down on it, it’s red.

“I’m sorry.” I apologise.

“For what?” She looks at me, a little confused.

“For bothering you like this. Because of my stupidity, you have to take care of me like I’m a child.”

“Finney, you idiot. Don’t apologise for getting hurt! I’m taking care of you cause you’re my brother. You take care of me and help me, it’s about time I pay you back.” She smiles.

“You don’t have to pay me back.”

“Well I want to. And there ain’t nothin’ you can do about it.” She sticks her tongue out at me.

Before I can say anything, we hear the bell ring. Gwen just sighs and puts the mop down.

“I’ll get it.” As she was getting out, the bell rang again. “I’m coming, I’m coming…”

I sat there on my bed for a few moments. I could hear Gwen open the door, and a few muffled voices speaking, and then lots of footsteps coming towards my room. I was confused on why the sudden amount of footsteps, when suddenly my door was slammed open. And that’s when I see Robin, Griffin, Billy and Vance running towards me.

“Finney!” “Finney are you ok!?” “Finn, what happend!?” “Robin told us you weren’t coming to school today!”

They were all speaking at the same time, and quite loudly too. It all started giving me a headache. I put my hand out in front of them in a ‘stop’ gesture, and instantly, there’s no more noise. Everyone is quiet. Billy and Griffin are on the floor next to my bed, sitting on their knees with their hands clutching the sheets. Robin is on the corner of my bed and he has one knee on the bed, trying to get closer to me. While Vance is right in front of my bed, with his fists clenched, but not in the way that’ll make him bleed like me, more like an anxious fist. I look around at all of them and they all had worried expressions.

“Why aren’t you guys at school?” I ask, turning my head to Robin.

“How could we be at school!? You’re sick!” Griffin yells. Billy nods frantically, agreeing with Griffin.

“Yeah, but what does me being sick have to do witht this? You guys might get in trouble.”

“We don’t care Finney, you’re sick and we’re worried about you. That’s all there is to it.” Vance explains, his eyebrows relaxing a little.

All of them agreed to what Vance said. I decided to just accept their reasoning, they probably used it as an excuse to ditch school.

“Hey, why are you wearing gloves?” Griffin asks, looking at my hands. I look down at my hands too, and start to panic. I can’t tell them about me literally digging my fingers into my palm. Because it wouldn’t just make absolutly no sense, but I don’t want them to worry more about me, especially the questions they’ll ask me. I appreciate their concern, I really do. But I just don’t think it’s right for them to worry about me when they’re the ones who shouldn’t be standing here right now, breathing. It’s just hard to watch them not care for themselves as much as they need to.

“Well, uh…the air is starting to get cold, and you know how I have sensitive hands and all.” I chuckle a little. And I could already feel the eyebrow raise expression Gwen is giving me right now.

“Finney.” I look up at Vance. “What the f**k is that?” He was looking down at the floor next to Griffin and Billy. All of us look down at where Vance was looking. And he was looking at the mop. The bloodied mop that Gwen left here.

“I-uh-”

“Is this your blood?!” Billy anxiously goes and picks it up, looking at all the blood covering its previously white strings.

“No! I-it’s not…I…-”

“Then whose is it?!” Billy asks, concerned.

“Wait a minute.” Before I could say or do anything, Griffin grabs my arms and tears off my left hand glove. Revealing the bandages.

“Oh Finn…” Robin looks at me with a sad expression, and I could see Vance frown again at the corner of my eye. I felt Griffin rubbing gently on my hand.

“Why’d you lie?” Vance asks. He was obviously fighting back some type of anger. I see it by the way his arms and jaw are only slightly shaking.

“Well-” I pause for a second. “I don’t want to talk about it. I’m sorry.” I can already feel the tears fighting to come out by how hard the inside of my eyes are stinging.

A silence fell on the room. Griffin is still rubbing circles on my hand, but not saying anything. But I’m not focusing on any of them. Just trying my best to fight back my tears. They don’t need to see me cry. I can’t let them see me cry.

“I’m sorry.” I don’t know why I said it again. They’re obviously worried about me, and here I am just shutting down their kindess. I feel digusted with myslef. But I can’t just outright tell them that the person who was supposed to kidnap and kill them is standing right outside my house.

I feel Robin put his hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay Finn. We won’t force you to talk. You don’t have to tell us anything. We just want you to know we care about you.”

Let’s say that was my last straw, because the moment he said that, I just couldn’t hold it in anymore. At first it was just a few tears, but that had escalated to a full on breakdown. I was just tired. So, so tired. When I started, I couldn’t stop. My crys weren’t loud. I know better than that. Crying loudly never ended well for me, especially with my dad. So I didn’t make much noise. A few sniffs or whines, but that was it.
As I was crying though. I could feel everyone, even Gwen I think. Squeeze me into a hug. And since Vance was in front of me, I had just ended up crying onto his chest.

About thirteen minutes filled with crying, hugging and everyone either rubbing circles in my head or back later, I feel my tears finally finishing and my eyes feelling less stingy. I take a deep breath.

“I’m…” I breathe a little heavily. “I’m ok now…” Not really, but Vance’s shirt already looks like someone splashed a cup of water into it, and Griffin and Billy’s hands probably hurt from how long they’ve been rubbing circles onto my back. “You guys-I’m- I’m fine.” My voice’s weak from the crying, so I tried to get their attention by putting my hands on Vance’s shoulders and trying to push myself up. But that plan got demolished when Vance put his hand at the back of my head and pushed me back to his chest.

“It’s fine. We can stay for as long as you want.”

Want.

Vance didn’t say for as long as I ‘need’ but for as long as I ‘want’. And if I’m being honest, I want them to stay forever. I feel safe. Safe in this room I’ve spent countless nights silently crying. Stuck in the middle of this big huddle. I feel safer than I’ve ever been before. Although I know I can’t stay like this forever, so for now, I’ll just enjoy it. Every second of it.

…

Why?

Why am I feeling the goosebumps again?

Without moving much, I tilt my head a little to the left. And through our huddle, I can see him.

Not the van.

Him.

He’s not even standing next to the van.

He’s standing right there on our side of the street, right in front of my frontstep. Staring straight at me. But with Griffin and Billy in the way, I don’t think he knows I’m looking at him.

I tilt my head abruptly back and just bury my face further into Vance’s chest. He notices, but just allows it. And I’m relieved he did. Because I can’t deal with this. Not now.

The one time I get a break to relax a little, and there he is.

I don’t want to deal with this.

I refuse.

I just want a break.

I want to breathe without having to look behind my shoulder all the time.

I want to walk on the sidewalk without looking at the street expecting something to happen.

Why can’t I have that?

“Why..?” I whisper. Immediately wishing they didn’t hear me. But knowing damn well they did.

My eyes suddenly get heavy, and I can already feel my dream. And right before I fully lost consciousness, I could’ve sworn I heard someone say “Because we care.”
But I can’t tell if that was a part of my dream, or if someone actually said it.

It doesn’t matter either way.

So I let myself fully let go. And enter the world of dreams.

Knowing that I’m safe.

For now…

________________________

“Finney.” The voice sounded distant. “Finney, wake up.”

My eyes shoot open. “W-what?” I try to look around and check my surroundings, and realise it’s my room. I look up and see Gwen is the one who woke me. She put her finger in her mouth and made ‘shshs’ noises, telling me to be quiet. I give her a confused look, so she points next to me. Still confused I look to my side, and get startled by Billy’s sleeping face. I look to my other side and see Griffin, also sleeping.

Slowly I stand up and notice they were both sleeping on either side of me. As I was looking at Griffin, I notice golden curly strands on the side of my bed. I stand up a little further and see Vance sleeping in a sitting position, with his head resting on the side of my bed. Turning my head around, I see Robin is in the exact same position as Vance. They didn’t look like they were in any dicomfort, they actually looked quite peaceful.

I glance back at Gwen.

“They ended up sleeping a few minutes after you. You were passed out all afternoon.”

“Really? What time is it now?” I ask, trying to get out of the bed without waking the others. I try using my hand as support, but the moment I grabbed the bed to lift myself up, I felt a sharp pain in my plam and just came crashing down into the bed again. “Right. My hand.”

I hear Gwen giggle a bit, because seeing me try to stand up only to fall back down must’ve been hilarious to watch.

“Shut up Gwen.” I whisper to her.

“Didn’t say nothin.”

This time, she extends her arm for me to grab. I do that, and she helps me get out of the bed succesfully. All the others were still asleep.

“Is dad here?” I ask, taking out a few blankets from my closet.

“No. He left earlier, probably won’t come back till next morning.”

I take out three blankets, and start covering Robin. I pick the biggest blanket to cover both Griffin and Billy at the same time. And then I take on more blanket and cover Vance with it.

“It’s for the best. I can make them breakfast. What do we have in the fridge?” I ask, walking out the door with Gwen following behind me.

“We have a few eggs, butter, bread, milk, cucumbers, tomatoes, and some of that white cheese.”

“I can work with that.”

I open the fridge and take out the eggs and butter. I could make eggs with toast. And the toast could have butter and white cheese in it. I remember mom would make me this breakfast everytime I was sick, except I’m making it for lunch, because it’s the only thing I have ingredients to do for now.

I plug in the toaster and set it to four minutes, I grab the bread and put them in, and then pushing down to toast it.

“Gwen, can you grab the white cheese?”

“Ok.”

We have about five eggs. Perfect for all of them including Gwen. They told me once that they don’t eat that much breakfast because they want to leave space for my garlic bread. So they’ll be starving by the time they wake up.

I start smudging the butter into the pan, cracking an egg and letting it shimmer. Throughout the whole time, I tried my best not to put pressure on my palm, which made me stretch out my fingers whenever I pick something. I was lucky Gwen was too busy doing homework, because if she was watching me working, she would’ve thought I was doing a poor impression of spiders with my hands.

Finally, the last two toasts jumped up, and the final egg was a nice white-glodenish color. I flip them one last time and place them on a plate. I walk towards the toast, taking both out, I cut and smudge the last cube of butter into them, then take a handful of white cheese and cover both. I gently pick them up and put them on the same plate. I take the plate and place it on the table in front of Gwen.

“Dig in, I’ll go wake the others.”

“Thank you!”

I open my bedroom’s door and notice Robin’s eyes are open.

“Robin?” He looks up at me.

“Oh, hey Finn.” He looks back down on the floor.

“I made lunch, do you want?”

He stays silent, his eyes glued to the ground. “Look.”

I make a confused sound, and he catches on. So he raises his hand and points at something on the floor. I look down to where he’s pointing and see a drop of blood, my blood.

“It’s a trail, goes all the way to the bathroom.” He slowly points at all the little drops leading to the bathroom. He puts his hand down. Silence fills the room, nothing but Griffin’s soft snoring and Vance’s louder snoring filled the room.

“We would’ve never known.” Robin suddenly speaks. “If Vance hadn’t seen that mop, or if the mop hadn’t even been there but in the bathroom. We would’ve never known you were hurt.” Robin finally looks up at me. “Why do you go through so much trouble to keep your pain caged inside, to lie to us about your wellbeing no matter how many times we tell you we care? Why Finn?” He looked desperate. I’m not used to him showing this emotion.

“Because I don’t want you to be like me.” Shit. I said that out loud. Robin just frowns confused.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing.”

“There you go again! You never tell us anything! Something has been going on hasn’t it? And you’re obviously not telling us!” He stands up, angry and frustrated. “You used to tell me stuff. You used to be much more open, much more happy. But now…” His voice calms down. “...You’re always in this little bubble of yours, always looking like your mind is somewhere else. You’re not happy Finn. There’s something bothering you, and I want to help you. But I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why not…? Finn, why can’t you tell me?” He moves closer.

“Because it’s my responsibility to bear. No one else’s.” I’m the one who came back. I’m the one who was given this responsibilty. And I’m willing to carry it on my shoulders until it ends. Whenever that’ll be. Because I can’t let them carry this burden. Maybe someday, when I know they’re all safe, I might tell them about this whole thing, about how I travelled back in time somehow, and saved them, how that was the reason why we’re friends, and they’d probably say something like ‘good joke man’ and that’ll be the end of it. But that day isn’t today. No. Today is still one of those days where I have no choice but to ride this solo. The only person who can deal with a kidnapper is someone who has been kidnapped before. All of us weren’t technically kidnapped, but they don’t remember, I do. Not only did the emotional pain travel back with me, but the physical too. Meaning I might as well have been. It’s just that simple. I have experience while they don’t. I had tried my best to make it seem like I wasn’t a time traveller. But I guess Robin noticed something, he always does. But I can’t tell him, not now. Not when he’s the only one left.

“Why do you have to carry it though? Why do you need to carry it alone?” He asks. He doesn’t know what this ‘burden’ is, but he’s obviously trying to. Never in his wildest dreams would he imagine how much bigger the situation actually is.

“Because…I’m the only one capable of doing so.” And it’s true. It felt nice, to finally tell the truth. Even if he doesn’t understand what I’m talking about.

Robin just sighs.

“Is there at least a way I can help?”

I smile.

“Just stay safe for me, okay?”

He was obviously displeased with that, but just nods anyways. “Okay.”

“Now come on, let's wake up the others. The food might go cold.” I walk past him, towards the bed again. He stands still for a moment but then turns around and goes to wake up Billy and Griffin.

“I think it’ll be safer for all of us if you wake up Vance.”

“What? Why?”

“I heard he’s a bit cranky in the morning.”

“What!? So you’re just sacrificing me like this?”

“It’s not sacrificing if he doesn’t hurt you.” He says, pulling the blankets away from where Billy was huggin into it.

“But you just said he gets cranky, of course he’ll hurt me.”

Robin just sighs and fully pulls the blanket away from Billy. “Same old Finn.”

Billy jolts up from the sudden pull and looks around confused. “What…?”
Robin ignores him and goes to wake Griffin up.

I look down at Vance. Best case scenario he’ll just push me to the ground or something, so gotta get my ass ready.

I bend down in front of him. I put my hand on his shoulder and start as gently as possible, shaking him back and forth. “Hey Vance, it’s time to wake up.” He groans

“F**k off, mom.” He says, eyes still shut.

“This isn’t mom, it’s Finney.” Immedietly, his eyes fly open and he looks at me. Well screw me, he’s mad. “I made lunch, are you hungry.” He didn’t appear to be frownning or showing any signs of anger.

“Yeah.” He just says, voice hoarse. I stand back up and pull the blanket away from him. I fold it nicely and place it back into my closet while Vance was getting up and trying to register his surroundings.

By now, Robin already woke both Griffin and Billy.

“Come on guys, time to eat.” I start wallking out the room, and hear Griffin and Billy quickly shuffling out of bed and running into the kitchen. I come in right after them and see Gwen is half finished. Robin and Vance sit down, making the table filled. I take a second to admire their small moment, and then turn around, ready to clean up those blood droplets. But then stop halfway by someone calling my name.

“Finney, where’s your plate?” Griffin asks, with everyone now looking at me.

“I’m not really that hungry, no need to worry.” Gwen frowns at me.

“Finney. You haven’t eaten anything since morning. Don’t give me shit about not being hungry.” Everyone’s eyes widen at what Gwen had said, and they all turn their heads back at me.

“Finney! Are you serious!?” Billy jumps up. “Why didn’t you make for yourself?!”

“There weren’t enough eggs, but I’m seriously not hungry.”

Billy looks at me disappointed. He doesn’t say a thing, just turns around and makes his way to the cupboards. He takes a plate and puts it on the table.

“Ok guys, you know what to do.” Billy just said, and right on cue, everyone started cutting their eggs and one toast in half and putting them on the plate Billy got. After they were all finished, Billy looked back at me. “Come here. This is for you.” He points at the plate. It was filled to the brink with four half eggs and four half toasts, making me have more than all of them.

“Guys, that’s too much. I swear I’m not hungry, this is for you.” I’m lying of course. My stomach feels very empty, but I didn’t make this for me. They’re the ones who came all the way here to check on me, it’s the least I could do. But they were obviously not pleased with my response.

“Finney. Sit down.”

“No real-”

“Finn.”

I look at Robin. He was giving me the same expression as before. That sad and desperate expression. I feel guilty now, don’t know why. Maybe it was just watching Robin’s expression, but that was when I go and sit down.

“Good. Now eat.” Billy pushes the plate in front of me.

“Thank you.”

“Finney, what did we say rule number two was?”

“Oh, right. Then uhh. I’m grateful. For having you guys as friends.”

“Right back at you.” Griffin says, taking a bite of his toast, and trying to hide his smile.

I smile and take my own toast. Because this is how I want it to be. Just us. Safe.

…

I tried my best to ignore the goosebumps this time.

__________________________

“Dude. I’m so nervous. You see all this sweat? That’s my brain crying right now, trying to remember all my lines.”

“No. That sweat is because you were just in P.E.” Billy replied.

“Yeah, and he sucked at it too.”

“Shut up Vance! Unlike you I’m not built like a brick wall! I can’t defend in Basketball like you do!”

“You still suck.”

Griffin huffs annoyed, and mouthes out ‘f**k you’ without actually saying it. Vance grins and shoots him the bird back.

“Don’t worry Griffin. I’ve watched all of your rehearsals, you’re going to do amazing.”

“Thank you Finney. As pure as ever I see. Still though, we’re having this whole recap thing we’re doing right before the play. Meaning I’ll have to perform it once then perform it again right after.” He pauses and takes a long dramatic sigh. Realising what that means. He looks back at me. “It’s gonna be during your practice with Bruce, so you don’t need to come.”

“Hm? No, I’ll come.”

“What about Bruce?”

“I’ll just bring him with me. He said he’ll be there anyways. No harm in coming early.”

“I guess so. Thank you Finney!” He looks back to the others. “What time are you guys coming?’

“What time does it start?” Robin asks.

“Somewhere around 8:30pm, so you guys can come at like 8:00pm to 8:20pm.” Griffin replies.

“Why is it so late?” Billy asks, stealing one of Vance’s fries. Vance was obviously mad and grabbed his arm before Billy got to eat it.

“To set the mood and all. They want to be able to use the lights, like light out and light in, it helps with transitioning through scenes, and it’s easier to do it when it’s dark.” Griffin explained.

“Oh ok.” Billy replies, deciding to give up and just shove the fry into Vance’s mouth, which was obviously a mistake, because Vance was now attempting to strangle Billy.

RING! RING! RING! RING!

The bell rings.

“Well, time to go. See ya guys.” Griffin stands up, putting his lunch box into his bag.

Vance lets go of Billy, who just starts taking big inhales of air. Vance then stands up. “See ya.”

We all go our different ways, except me and Griffin, because both of us have Art, so we start making our way to the class.

________________________

“Hey Bruce!”

He looks back at me. “Hey Finney! What’s up?”

I walk closer to him.

“Ok. I know this is kinda sudden, but is it okay if we don’t practice today?” I said it a little nervously.

“Yes sure, of course. Why?” He answers immediately.

“I know it’s rude of me to just cancel something I aske- oh, you said sure.”

“Well yeah, I’m fine with doing anything you’re okay with.” He smiles.

“That’s great! I was thinking maybe we could go early to the play, watch the rehearsal before watching the actual thing. If you’re fine with it of course”

“Yeah, I said I’m fine with anything. I wasn’t really in a Baseball mood today anyways.” He says, putting back all his stuff in his bag. “Let’s go.”

We walk out the field and towards our bikes.

Throughout the whole way to my school, Bruce carried all the talking. He was telling me about all the things that have been happening in his school, like how one kid was caught drinking in the school bathrooms and came to school the next day with his entire hair shaved off. He said nobody knew why he suddenly shaved all his hair off, but his classmates took a guess that maybe his parents got mad, and that was their form of punishment.

“He didn’t look upset or bothered about it in any way, more embarrassed about the whole thing. He wore this red bucket hat for an entire year until his hair started growing out. The whole situation was actually kind of funny.”

I chuckle. “It definetly sounds like it.”

Bruce grins wider. He looks back forward.

“Is this it?”

“Yep. Let’s park over there.” I point at the little bicycle parking I always park my bike at.

We lock our bikes and start making our way to the theatre.

“Your school looks so much different than mine.” Bruce starts looking around the hallway, at the lockers and classrooms.

“Different in what sense?”

“Like…it’s much more simple. All our classrooms are so mixed up. My Maths class is like all the way on the other side of the school from my P.E. class. So every Wednesday when I have Maths right after P.E. I’ll be sweating bullets and still have to walk for like three more mintues to reach the Maths classroom, which I have to mention is the only class where the fan doesn’t work.”

“Seems tough.”

“Nuh uh, saying it’s just tough is under exaggerating the feeling you get on your face. It’s like you have a heart in there, because it just starts beating.” He makes this gesture with his hands by putting them in front of his face and trying to make an impression of a beating heart.

“I get that feeling sometimes.”

“Right?”

All I do is laugh as I open the door to the theatre. We walk in through the auditorium, and notice they were already performing. I listen for a minute and try to figure out what scene they’re in

“Ha, ha,ha…He said that Christmas was a humbug, as I live! He believed it too.”

“Humbug! Oh your uncle is quite the character isn’t he?”

“More shame for him, Fred.”

Oh, I know this scene. They’re in scene two, the ghost of the present. Seems they’re almost done with it too.

“Let’s go sit somewhere.” I whisper to Bruce, trying not to disturb the play.

“Alright.” He whispers back.

We walk towards the seats four rows away. Not too far and not too close.

Somewhere around the play, Griffin comes out to say his lines. I feel Bruce shake my shoulder.

“That’s Griffin, right?”

“Yeah. He’s the ghost.”

“Cool.”

“Do you know this play?”

“No, I’m not really a theatre person.”

“Me neither. I just know this one because of Gwen.”

“Gwen?”

“My sister. I told you about her, didn’t I?”

“Oh! Yeah, yeah. Sorry. I’m not really good with remembering.”

“It’s ok.”

We look back at the play and spend the rest of the time silent.

_______

Guys! Over here!” I call out for Vance, Billy and Robin when I see them entering the theatre. Bruce and I watched the rehearsals and went to say hi to Griffin right after. And now it’s 8:26pm. People have already started coming in. And somewhere around that, I noticed bright curly long hair, and immediately knew it was Vance. I looked over to him and saw the others with him, they were looking around, searching for a place to sit. Which is why I called out for them.

They hear me and turn their heads towards me and Bruce. They start walking towards us.

“Hey Finney, Bruce.” Billy greets. Sprinting ahead of Robin and Vance to take the seat next to me. Robin and Vance frowned at that, but both decided not to bother with it, so Vance just sat next to Bruce and Robin sat next to Billy.

“Oh, guys. Look what I got.” Billy says, putting his bag on the floor and opening the zipper, revealing like six bags of chips and six bottles of cola. Everyone starts taking one bag of chips and on cola. I took mine too, and by the end there were two chips and two colas left.

“Billy, who's the rest for?” Billy looks down at the four remaining snacks

“Well, one is for Griffin after he’s finished, and the other is for you if you want more.” He answers.

“Thank you Billy, that’s very kind of you, but-”

“I’m gonna stop you right there. Because if you try to tell me anything with the words ‘you didn’t have to’ I will actually ignore you, and we both know I don’t want to do that.”

I stay quiet for a moment, I hear Bruce silently laughing next to me. “Wow, This is so lovely to watch.”

“How come?” Robin asks.

“I love knowing that there’s someone taking care of Finney when I’m not there.” Bruce answers.

“Well, same back at you.” Vance says to Bruce.”

I look at all of them confused. “Wait, what are we talking about? What do you mean ‘take care of me’?”

“Don’t worry about it! Now come on, the play is gonna start.”

The play wasn’t in fact starting. And none of them explained their little conversation. But I didn’t ask. I just watched quietly as the play was starting.

We watched the whole play, and Billy even recorded some of the parts Griffin was in. The whole thing was very fun to watch. There were some parts where they had rehearsed so many times, I memorized it myself. I even mouthed it out, making Bruce look at me like he’s seen a ghost.

When the ending finally came, we had already finished all the snacks. The ones still inside Billy’s bag haven’t moved an inch. All the actors came to the front of the stage and bowed down, immediately the crowd started clapping.

Everyone started making their way out of the theatre, but we made our way to the backstage of the theatre. We came in and were greeted by Griffin running towards us, me specifically, and hugging me.

“So, What did you guys think?” Griffin asks, still hugging me.

“You sucked.” Billy said. Griffin frowned at him. “I’m joking, I’m joking, I swear! You were amazing.”

“Yeah Griff, that was really cool. You remembered all your lines.” I say. I didn’t know what to do since he was hugging me, so I patted him on the head. He looked at me with wide eyes, and I start thinking that maybe I did something wrong. But then he just grinned widely and started swinging me left and right. “Thank you Finney!”

He lets go of me and I just stand still for a second cause of the dissiness. All of us start complimenting Griffin. Billy takes out the chips and cola and gives it to Griffin.

“For your not complete failure of a performance.”

“Thank you lieutenant could never be as great.”

We all laughed.

Griffin said he needed to get out of his costume. So we waited for a few minutes. When he finally came out, we started making our way out.

“Guys.” They all look at me. “You can go on without me, I need to go and pick up Gwen, we’re going home together.”

“Ok, at least you’re not alone.” Vance says.

“Yeah, have a goodnight Finney. See you tomorrow.” All of them wave as we both went separate ways. And I wave back.

The time’s currently 9:44pm. The sky is pitch black with the stars clearly visible. I walk towards the entrance and head towards the bicycle parking, but then I pause. The bike’s not there.

Wait what?

I stand there frowning for a minute, thinking. My eyes widen.

“Ah, shit. How did I forget?” Gwen had told me earlier today she wasn’t going to the play and was taking the bike home. She told me to go home with the others since it’ll be dark by then. I totally forgot about that. “I could catch up with the others. No, that won’t work. They’re on bikes. I can’t catch up.”

I sigh and look back at the sky. I’ll have to walk home alone with the street being pitch black. I look towards the theatre and notice there’s barely anyone left. The lights are all out, and I could hear faint noises of shuffling around, meaning they’re cleaning up the place.

“Screw it.” I could walk alone. I’ve memorized the street, so I won’t have to look around too much to know my location. So I just turn around and start walking on the sidewalk. Halfway through the street, my body went on complete autopilot and I was now stuck in my head. I started thinking about everything that’s happened. After everything that happened, I was able to save all of them. At least I think I did. The van never came for Robin, so I’m not entirely sure if he’s still fully safe or not. I like to tell myself that he is though. Because that whole situation is actually getting complicated. Since Robin’s kidnapping passed, nothing really happened. I can no longer predict the Grabbers next move. I can’t even understand his motives anymore. I can’t understand why he keeps staying in front of my house. He hasn’t done anything yet, he just stands there, waiting. But I don't know what he’s waiting for exactly. At first I thought it’s just a coincidence that he was parked outside my house, but then after seeing him stare at me through the window, that theory was crossed out. There was nothing left. I couldn’t think of anything. Although, there’s one theory I haven’t given much thought to. Because it doesn’t seem likely. The theory was that maybe he didn’t go after Robin because he decided to go after-

“Hello Finney.”

*

I stop dead in my tracks, my autopilot immediatly turning off. I stay frozen for a second, recognizing that familiar voice. That f**ing voice that had previously taken everything from me. I slowly look up at the black figure standing next to that same familiar black van that has been taunting me in my sleep. I don’t say anything, I just stare.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Finn.” I grit my teeth. That’s the nickname Robin uses. How the hell does he know that?

“You know me, don’t you Finney Blake?”

“What?” Damn it, I didn’t mean to talk to him.

“Oh, your voice is just cute. I can just imagine how much more adorable it’ll be screaming and crying.” I feel my whole body shiver. That sentence made me physically ill. I suck my lip and bite it down, telling myself to not give this man even a pip more. I still couldn’t see him in the dark, just a shadow of him, and he probably couldn’t see me either. But I could still feel that grin he’s giving me. A dangerous sickening grin that’ll seem normal to anyone else except me, because I know damn well what this man is capable of.

“You might be wondering why I’m talking to you. Well it’s simpe really, I want you Finney.” I feel the goosebumps invading my whole neck. The discomfort I’m feeling from just listening to him talk shouldn’t make sense. “I’ve wanted you ever since I saw you crash into that kid's bike.”

He takes a step closer, and that’s when I’m able to see him more clearly. He was wearing that mask again, and in his hands, I saw the spray.

My body reacted by itself. My flight or fight response went into rocket levels, and I immediately turned back and started running. But he was expecting that, because the moment I took the first step, I felt his hands grab my shoulder roughly. He pulled me back and put his arm around my throat. I couldn’t breathe. I kicked and shoved with all my power, but it was all useless. He was stronger than me.

Suddenly, he moved his mouth right next to my ear, making the goosebumps reach all the way up to where he was lingering next to my neck.

“You don’t know how long I have been waiting for this.” He took the spray and aggressively sprayed all over my face.

I felt darkness taking over.

The last thing I saw were black balloons.

But that was it.

…

That was the second theory.

He didn’t go after Robin.

Because he decided to go after me.

And he did.

Chapter Text

Black.

Everything is black.

I’m not sure if that’s because of the dark grey color of the basement or my blurry eyes. When I had woken up from my unconscious state, the room was very blurry. Everything started fading in and out, like a camera adjusting its vision. I looked around and up to the vent I had once failed to escape through. I noticed it was still night time. I squint my eyes that are still fading themselves in and out.

“It’s 3:26am.”

The way I flinched and turned my head towards the voice so quickly should’ve probably snapped my neck. He was sitting on the floor, in the exact same position like the last time I had woken up to him staring at me. My vision was now fully fixed, and I can now see him perfectly. Now I wish my vision is blurry again.

“You’ve been out for like seven hours.” He continued when he noticed I wasn’t going to say anything.

“What do you want?” I used all the remaining scraps of my voice to ask him. But it didn’t come out right. Maybe I should’ve asked him why he’s doing this.

“A lot, really. But firstly, I want to know how you knew.” He points a finger at me.

I look at him with a confused frown. “Knew what?”

“That I was going to take them.” He’s talking about how I knew he was going to kidnap the others. But he’s not supposed to know that I knew.

“I don’t kn-”

“HOW DID YOU KNOW!” He yelled loudly, standing up. I started crawling backwards on the bed. Trying to stay as far away from him as possible. “YOU WERE THERE! I SAW YOU!” He screamed at me. He was breathing heavily, but then he started calming himself down. When he knew his breathing was even, he looked back at me.

But I avoid eye contact.

“You were there when I was going to take that paperboy. I hadn’t planned on taking two people, so I just left.” He says, now calmer. “You were there with that theatre kid. I had noticed the previous days you were with him, so I decided to take both of you. But then you had to stop and have your little sob moment.” He explains, growing annoyed. “I had planned it so perfectly. The exact time where the workers in that store would take their five minute break. All you had to do was just keep going.” He made an aggressive arm gesture. “The worker had come back, and my plan was ruined.” He paused and looked at me. “But it was okay. I just decided to go for the next one. The pinball kid. He looked like a tough kid, so there was no way you two would know each other.” He chuckles in disbelief. “BUT GUESS F**ING WHAT?! There you were again.” He pointed at me. I stayed quiet. “This time though, you ran. YOU RAN! That was when I realised that…that you knew…” His moods keep switching from calm, angry and surprised. It’s all scaring me even more. “I tried one more time, telling myself that this kid might be popular or something. So I went for the baseball kid. And well, I wasn’t really surprised when I saw you there. What was surprising was that you looked back.” He turned to me, all calm suddenly. “It was obvious you guys were having a race. So why’d you look back?” I didn’t answer, but I didn’t need to. “It was as clear as day. You knew about me. I don’t know how. Maybe you’re just suspicious of vans, or have some kind of sixth sense that helps you detect danger, that theory was proven even more when you kept pausing every time you entered or exited your house. You knew I was there. You recognized my van.” I could hear the wicked grin on his face without having to see it. But I still didn’t say a word, this situation is bringing back memories and emotions I buried deep inside my brain, to try and forget about them, but now it’s all coming back to me, restraining me from speaking a full sentence that wouldn’t sound like a bunch of words mashed together.

The Grabber noticed my lack of response, he snapped his fingers. “You look a little blue. So I’ll tell you a funny story,” I physically cringe, but he still tells it. “A few days ago, I had noticed you didn’t come home, so I got a little worried that someone got you before I did. I went to check on you, but then found out you were just having a little study session with all those friends you saved. I decided to wait for you outside his house and followed that woman's car back to your house. You looked to where I parked my van. You thought I was gone.” He came closer, looking down. “How are your hands?”

I take a sharp breath.

There is literally nothing funny about admitting to stalk me.

“Haha, what? You really thought I hadn’t noticed you digging daggers with your eyes at me for hours?” He came even closer and started climbing onto the bed and sitting right in front of me, trapping me in one spot. “But you know…,” his voice was now deep, and he was whispering. “Seeing you react like that for me,” he looked down to my bandaged hands. “Made me want you more.” He grabbed my thigh. I jumped so hard, making him let go immediately. “Apologies, I got carried away. I’m just so happy.” He raises his hands next to my face. For a second he doesn’t touch me, just lingers his hand around my cheek, it then seems like he decides against touching me. Which makes me mentally sigh in relief.

“Not yet. I just got you, and am determined to take my time.” That made me shiver. He starts getting off the bed, and heading towards the door. He pauses right in front of the door, and turns his head around. “The room is soundproof, just thought you’d like to know.” He was obviously smirking, trying to hint me something, and I knew what he was trying to say. He was saying that no matter how loudly I yell, no one will hear, and I know that it’s true. Confirmed it before.

He looks away and finally walks out the door, locking the door.

Only when I heard his footsteps fading away did I realise how stiff my shoulders have been the whole time. I felt them drop so down, not noticing when they had gone up.

I look down to my thigh, the one he had grabbed. I started rubbing on it. Not only because of this stupid feeling of hope telling me I can rub his touch away, but also because I had gotten this massive uncomfortable feeling when he touched it, same with my cheek. He didn’t even need to touch there, because I still got the feeling. I rubbed both parts roughly until the feeling started leaving and just stinging pain took over. And honestly, pain is way better than the feeling of his touch on me, so I leave it at that.

I look around the room, inspecting it. Everything mostly looks the same. The walls still look old and rusty, but with less nail scratchings and little splatters of blood on them this time. Which makes sense. Because he never got anyone down here, I didn’t let him, well, besides me, which is the problem. If he gets me, at some point I’ll die, which means I’ll no longer be in the way, and he’ll go after them again, and that’s no good.

I think for a minute. Now that he’s taken me, he’s no longer innocent. If people were to find out, he’ll get arrested for kidnapping, or if he kills me, for murder.

I look down.

He might actually kill me. It might take a while, like he said, ‘I just got you, and am determined to take my time’. So it’ll be a while before he actually gets tired and just kills me off like I’m some stray animal. And the moment he kills me, he’ll just go back and take the others one by one. All of my hard work will be for nothing, and all of the friends I was able to make will have to go through the same fate again.

If I allow him to kill me, then it’s over. This second chance in life will go to absolute waste. And all this because I forgot about what Gwen had told me very quickly in the hallways as she was late to her next class and basically told me the whole thing quickly then ran off. I guess that butterfly effect thing Griffin always talks about is true. Because the butterfly effect is a whole load of what ifs.

What if I had run faster when I saw the spray he was holding, and maybe shouted so someone nearby would hear me.

What if I had remembered what Gwen had told me, or if she wasn’t late to class so she would be able to say it slow enough for me to process it.

What if I had told the police that there was a suspicious van stalking me. They probably wouldn’t have found anything, but it could’ve scared him away.

What if I was stronger?

I close my eyes and shake my head. Thinking about what could’ve happened isn’t going to do anything to what happening. People like to use the what ifs in a way where they imagine this whole alternative situation that’s happy because this one thing didn’t happen. It gives them comfort. But comfort isn’t what I need right now. I need to think. Think over everything that’s led to this moment and everything I can do to fix it.

I stand up from the bed, I put one leg down and then the other one. But the moment I took a step, my legs started wobbling a little, sending me to the floor. I clutch onto the bed to lessen the fall, and it worked to some extent. I look down to my legs.

“Why are you so easily weakened?” This is like the third time this month my legs gave up on me, it’s starting to get annoying. I know I have a weak body in general, but this is an inconvenience. How am I going to survive this if I can’t even stand up. I try moving my leg, but it just wobbles again. I can move them around, but the shaking is creating an imbalance.

I huff out a breath.

In normal circumstances, I would do this slowly and take my time. But this is obviously not a normal circumstance. I use my arms to lift myself up. My legs start shaking violently again. I slowly count to three and then throw myself towards the wall. I place my hands on the wall for balance.

“Ok, ok. I’m ok.” I whisper to myself. I look down to my legs and move one of them forward. Step by step I make my way to the corner, and towards the toilet seat that’s always been there apparently.

No, I don’t need to use the toilet. What I’m trying to do is open it up and take out its parts. I search around for something thin. I’ll explain my plan to you.

Since the Grabber never really got any of the others, he never got their items, and there was one item that was a big problem for me. Griffin’s lock. Since he never got Griffin’s lock, all he has to lock his door is the normal lock with the keys. But I don’t have time to search for the keys, he probably swallowed it like those cartoons Gwen watches. So I’ll have to do with picking the lock. And I know how to pick a lock, because mom taught it to me once. I remember that dad had locked her up in her room. I was heading towards the room to get her out but she unlocked the door before I touched it. Of course, eight year old me thought that was the coolest thing ever, and asked her to teach me. She did and I’ve been using that trick every time dad would lock me or Gwen in a room. Never in my life had I thought I’d use this childhood skill to escape a kidnappers house.

I start unscrewing some stuff and putting them down on the floor. Which is when I found it.

“Perfect.” It’s a wire connected to two thin sticks. They used to connect the flush button with the water. But I’ll be using it by throwing one stick through the gap between the door then pulling it back my way, having it wrap around the lock. From there I’ll work my lock picking skills.

I put the thing in my pocket and start putting everything back together. By now my legs have already gotten used to standing up, so I was able to walk back to the bed easily. I sit down and wait. All I have to do is wait. From what happened last time I was here, the Grabber tried playing, in Griffin’s words, ‘naughty boy’ with me. But I hadn’t gone up the stairs like the others, and he had ended up sleeping.

I failed my escape of course, but the difference between then and now is that I’m experienced and know what to do. Last time the Grabber had woken up because I took too long to open the lock and his dog sensed my unknown smell. So this time, I’ll have to be both quick and quiet when unlocking the door.

I look down, and pull my legs up, hugging them. Resting my chin on my legs I look through the corner of my eye, right at the black phone. The one the others had called to help me.

The one that had helped me hear Robin’s voice one last time.

“Hey there, you probably don’t remember me, because we never technically met. But there might be a small chance I’ll have to use you, or ghost me I guess. If I die, my friends will be next, and I want to help them. So, if push comes to shove, could you let me make a few calls?”

Silence.

Because of course there is. I’m talking to a phone for crying out loud. I wasn’t expecting a reply anyways, just making sure. Because if they had decided to help a kid they never even met do what they couldn’t, and help him escape. I’ll be willing to do it to people whom I am now friends with. I’m not saying I’ll fail. I’m saying just in case if my plan fails, at least I’ll be able to help them beyond the grave. It’s the least I can do.

My eyelids suddenly feel heavier than they should be. I suppose I haven’t really been getting that much sleep. And it wouldn’t hurt to dose off for a while. I can’t exactly do anything until phase one of ‘naughty boy’. I close my eyes and frown, it’s so weird. Why did he have to pick such a name? Literally anything would’ve been better. Actually, scratch that. Out of all the names, I think this is better than what it could’ve been named. It doesn’t matter anyways. Sleep is what matters right now. I need sleep.

My body starts relaxing, and I’m no longer frowning. Everything feels light and I start drifting off. But right as I was about to go all out, I hear a lock undo. But I couldn’t be bothered right now. Couldn’t be bothered even if I tried to, because I was too far into full unconsciousness to get back out.

I’ll deal with it later.

___________________

Saying that I was in no way surprised to see him sitting in the same position as always when I woke up would be hitting the dart with a bullseye. I was more surprised that I wasn’t surprised. I mean, I’m supposed to be in some way shocked. I was when it first happened at least.

I ignore my thoughts, because he’s staring at me, now only wearing the upper half of his mask. Allowing me to see his sickening smile. I frown

“You don’t seem bothered.” He says.

“I don’t see a reason to be.” I just reply back, trying my best to avoid eye contact.

“Aren’t you scared?” He sounds amused. He’s treating this like some sort of game.

“What do I achieve by showing you whether I’m scared or not?” He wants me to be scared, he wants a reaction out of me. I won’t give him the pleasure.

But then he just grins wider, making me flinch. It wasn’t obvious though.

“Ohh, you’re interesting. I like you even more now.” First time in my life I would rather get cursed at than complimented, because I really didn’t like the way he said that.

I use my whole power to ignore him and look up to the vent. It was light out, so I’m guessing it’s morning.

“It’s 8:17am” I look back at him. “You really like to sleep, don’t you?”

What? So all I have to do is look at the vent and he’ll tell me the time?

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Have as much rest as you need.” He stands up. I notice he was holding something, a newspaper. He realises I was looking at it and looks down at it too. “There’s still nothing about you, surprisingly. But it’s still morning, we just have to wait a while. Maybe a day?” He tosses the newspaper towards me. But I don’t move nor say anything, just glare at him.

“Say, are you hungry?”

“No.” I’m lying by the way. Of course I’m hungry, I haven’t eaten anything for hours, and the last thing I did eat was a bag of chips and a cola, which doesn’t really fill the stomach. But I won’t tell him that, I’ve survived longer without food. I’ll be fine.

He’s no longer smiling, and just by looking at his eyes through the mask I could tell he’s frowning. “Don’t lie to me. Naughty boys lie. And I could tell you’re not a naughty boy, so I’ll ask you again. Are you hungry?”

Shit. It’s already started. What should I do? He didn’t ask me that before, I was the one who confronted him about it. I can’t let it start like this, so for now, I’ll just play by his flow for a while.

“Yea…” Was all I managed to say, and suddenly, he’s smiling again. I’ve never heard of someone that’ll make you regret ever saying anything the moment you do, but here he is. He suddenly looks up at the ceiling then back at me again.

“Just make sure not to lie to me again.” He was still smiling when he said that, which made me shiver. He then turned around and walked out the door. As he was closing the door, I didn’t hear a click.

‘There we go,’ I thought to myself. It has started.

But of course, instead of going to check if it’s actually a trap. I make myself comfortable in the bed, and lay back down. I still have time to spare, so might as well catch up on all my lost sleep.

—-----------
1 hour later
—-----------

So, I wasn’t able to get any sleep. The reason I was able to sleep before was because the exhaustion took over. But now that I got the average amount of sleep, even more probably, I can no longer sleep at will. It’s annoying really, my eyes have been shut for so long but sleep never came. It’s been at least an hour, maybe two. I honestly lost track of time at this point, all I know is that it’s still some time that’s not night because the sun is still out.

All I’ve been thinking about was my plan, and what the others must be doing right now. From what the Grabber told me, people still didn’t react to my disappearance. Makes sense, it’s not like I’m this all time popular person. Not many people will notice I’m gone.

It’ll take Dad a while before he notices I’m gone. Gwen will notice soon, she’ll realise I didn’t come home yesterday and freak out. I don’t know how long it’ll take for Robin to notice I’m gone, he’ll probably notice I’m absent but think it’s nothing to worry about, but then Gwen will tell him I’m gone, and they’ll tell the police. Billy and Griffin will find out later than that, they’d wonder why Robin suddenly left school like that, and will ask him after school. Vance will find out a day or two later, he probably wouldn’t care if I’m absent. He’ll go to the grocery store and only find out when my wanted posters are finally put up. Bruce will find out the last, he’ll realise I’m not coming anymore and think I no longer want to play with him, he’ll think that until my wanted poster reaches his street.

I like to believe that they’ll worry. They probably will. Only for a while though. Unless my plan doesn’t work, everyone will eventually forget about me. Which is why I’m so desperate for it to work. This isn’t just about my life, it’s about the memory of my life. Being forgotten is just so much more worse than dying, for me at least. It just makes you wonder what was the point of everything you’ve ever done, I’ll tell you, if you’re forgotten, nothing matters. Which is why it scares me, after everything I had gone through, it can’t be all for nothing. I won’t let it all be for nothing.

I hear the creaking of the door opening. My eyes shoot open.

I raise my body to look at him entering and closing the door behind him, obviously not intending to leave immediately. He starts walking closer, and sitting on the edge of the bed, making me move backwards, away from him. I look down to his hand and see he’s holding another newspaper.

“Didn’t take that long, huh?” He tosses the newspaper to me. I look at him accusingly but then look down at the newspaper and pick it up, I open it up and a paper falls out. I pick it up from where it fell on my lap and instantly see my face. It’s my missing poster. When I glance back at the newspaper, the first thing I notice is the title. ‘Missing Kid Finney Blake’ written in big bold letters. I start scanning through the article written about me, and the picture of me taken on the school photo day. Most of the newspaper was just information about me and who they have to go to or call if someone sees me. But then something catches my eye. It’s the fifth paragraph down, with three others under it. The paragraph starts with ‘The friends of this missing child are on edge, constantly begging or even violently demanding the police to find their missing friend. They have gone to the point where they volunteered to help put up the missing posters and answer any questions the detectives have in order to be of help.’ The rest is all just information about where I was last seen and stuff. But I didn’t read it, I put down the newspaper on my lap and just stare at it blankly.

They already know. And it hasn’t even been twenty four hours. I look at the publication date. This was made an hour ago. Meaning the stuff in it has been happening since morning. But how’d they know so quickly? I look up at the Grabber, like he knows the answer.

“Believe me, I don’t know how they realised it already.” He raises his hands like he surrenders. “I was just going to the store to buy you food when that tough blonde kid shoved the paper onto my chest and just left without saying anything. He clearly looked upset though, even behind that frown. They really care, huh?” He grins.

“What are you trying to say?” I’m upset. Why would he tell me this? To irritate me? Get a reaction?

“Nothing, I’m just happy I was able to get someone so special.” He moves his hand closer to mine while saying that. I immediately pull my hand away.

“Get? You think I’m some toy you can buy from a kids store!” I yell at him. Does he seriously think this whole thing is a game? Augh, I’m stupid. Of course he does. This is him we’re talking about.

“No, don’t get me wrong. I’m just saying you’re unique. I mean look at this.” He points at the newspaper. “Missing posters take at least one day to release, and yet here we are, you’ve been here for only thirteen hours. It’s amazing how you were able to just bring so much attention to yourself without intending to!” He looks way too excited for comfort. “I knew from the day I saw you getting huddled by all your little friends while you cried your eyes out; that you were the one.” He’s now getting closer again, but now there’s nowhere for me to back away to, my back is already leaning on the wall, so I just curl into myself. “Oh, you’re just so perfect. It shouldn’t be possible!” He suddenly grabs both sides of my face. I just freeze, unable to move. He doesn’t do anything though, just stares. He starts slowly moving my head left and then right, inspecting me. “You’re still hungry. Do you like eggs?” He smiles pulling away and walking back towards the door, he didn’t even let me answer as he left, again, leaving the door without locking it

I stayed frozen for a few minutes, and then suddenly, I slap both my cheeks with my hands, making a loud ‘smack’ noise. I start rubbing on them aggressively. No matter how many times he touches me, I’ll never get used to this unpleasant feeling. So just like before, I kept rubbing until pain was the only thing I could feel.

I put my hands down and sigh. I don’t even need to look at them to know my cheeks are red. I look back up at the door, the one left unlocked. It was honestly really hard, not opening that door and just running.

It’s so easy, it feels so easy. All I have to do is open the door and then run as fast as possible. It doesn’t matter where, just somewhere. But I know that won’t work, and that this impulsive feeling is just my flight radar telling me to beat it. It’s very easy to run; people do it all the time, I do it all the time, but now I’m not sure if running is the greatest choice. Because no matter how fast I run, he can run faster. He’s an adult, which is what makes him so dangerous. Just because I have the advantage of past experience doesn’t mean I can just underestimate him. A death wish is what I’ll be asking for if I do.

I roll back, bumping my head onto the wall. Closing my eyes; I wish for sleep. This plan will take time, time that I don’t have much of. However, I need this plan to work. Meaning I need to be patient. Patient enough to withstand whatever creepy games he’s got up his sleeve. It won’t be easy of course, but I like to believe I’ll manage.

“Hmm.” I hum. “Wonder what the others are doing right now.” I say to myself, looking down at the newspaper left crushed on the bed from when he decided to unexpectedly crawl next to me. The newspaper had said that they’re worried about me. How they tried violently demanding the police to find their missing friend. That thought honestly makes me smile. It’s nice to know they’re worried, I realise it’s selfish of me to think so, but I can’t help myself. And just knowing that they won’t have to worry any longer makes me smile wider.

I look back up, right at the ceiling.

So; I hope my plan works.

My vision gets dark, and my eyelids are heavy. Sleep wanting to finally take over. But then.

“Finney~” My eyes shoot open. Any signs of sleep or tiredness gone from the sound of my name being sing-songed in that tone. I look up and see him standing there, the bottom half of his mask still nowhere to be seen. He was standing with the tray of food and a soda, and grinning from ear to ear. “Got you food, hope I didn’t wake you.”

He walks closer and places it right in front of me. “If you need anything, call me. No wait, scratch that. I’ll come to see you every now and then, so if you need anything; tell me.”

And before I could say anything, he left. The door once again, left unlocked.

I look down at the food.

What the hell was that? Why is he so cheerful? He wasn’t like this the last time. I remember he was much more gloomy than this. But now with this new attitude, I prefer the gloomy one because this one is too disturbing.

I shake my head.

It really doesn’t matter either way. Point is that he’s creepy and that’s the end of it. Doesn’t matter if he’s all gloomy or all happy about kidnapping me. Because my priority is escaping, and I can’t do that if I fill my mind with unnecessary thoughts.

At that thought, I push myself closer to the plate of food and start eating. I haven’t eaten anything since those chips yesterday after all.

—-------------
3 hours later
—-------------

I don’t exactly know how long it’s been. An hour? No, it was more than that. But whatever it is, it’s enough time for someone to get bored from waiting and sleep in a chair.

My plan—if it works— should go as following:

(1) Go upstairs when you know the Grabber is asleep.
(2) Quickly but also quietly start picking the lock
(3) Open the door, close it, then run as fast as possible.

It’s an easy three step plan, and shouldn’t be that hard.

I take a deep breath and stand up, making my way to the door. I was about to hold the door knob, but then I freeze. My hand clutching it.

Why did I freeze?

I know why. I look down at my arm—my shaking arm.

I’m scared.

A bother, but not a surprise. I’m scared. Because no matter how many times I might go through this, I think I’ll always be scared. Especially now, when I don’t have anyone to help me like last time. And this is probably how they felt. Lonely, scared—petrified, they must have been scared shitless. I was feeling that too, and am feeling it right now. It’s a terrible feeling, a feeling I’m determined to never let any kid feel ever.

“Come on Finney. Just- you can do it, just do it.” I whisper to myself, looking down at the doorknob.

In a moment of self pressure, I close my eyes and just push the door. I open them and look up at the staircase.

I move my legs.

One step. Two steps. Three steps.

I make my way up the stairs slowly. Finally reaching the top, I pause.

There’s one little flaw to my plan that can ruin the whole thing. Step number one.

Because, unfortunately enough, I’m not really sure if he’s asleep or not. For all I know he might be awake. Meaning he’ll see me. Meaning I’m dead.

No. I can’t think like that. If I enter, there’s a chance I might die, but if I don’t do anything, I’ll die too.

I’m dead either way, so who cares—definitely not me.

I twist it open and take a step forward. Absolutely no take backs.

There I see him. Sitting on the chair, shirtless.

Ew.

Now he appears to be wearing the full mask, hiding his whole face. I notice something that makes my blood boil. He’s wearing the mask that’s grinning.

Unlike last time, when his bottom mask had a frown, this one is smiling.

‘Was he seriously thinking of beating the shit out of me while smiling?!’ I thought to myself. This man is truly disgusting.

I stand still for a moment. I’m in sight, so if he’s awake he’ll notice me. But he isn’t moving or anything, and neither do I. Silence fills the room, which is when I hear a sound. It was a low grumble, like a breathing sound. He’s snoring, meaning he’s asleep.

I take that as a cue to move.

Quietly, I move towards him, and then past him. I stay quiet, just like at home. All I have to do is convince myself that this is just my everyday routine of trying not to anger dad.

I reach the door and immediately take out the thing. I shuffle in my pocket and take it out, but first. I reach my hand out and try to open the door. It’s locked.

Just needed to make sure. I raise the thing up next to the knob. I kneel down and slip one of the sticks through the gap. Slowly, I jiggle it back and forth so it can come back through the gap again. It took a few tries, but eventually I was able to grab it.

Now the wire is right between the deadbolt, and I’m holding both the sticks. I start pulling the sticks back and forth. Again and again, in a repetitive manner. I need to get the wire in the hole the deadbolt goes in. So I have to create a movement in order to for the wire to get in smoothly.

And it’s taking too long. At this point I can just keep doing this until I sand through the deadbolt myself. But I need to stay concentrated.

Now that I think back. That’s probably why I hadn’t heard the dog shuffling around.

BARK! BARK! BARK!

That caught me off guard. I jumped up, dropping the sticks.

Shit!

I quickly stand up. Not knowing what to do. Last time I was able to open the door in time, so at least I had somewhere to run to. But now I have nowhere to go.

I look back at where the Grabber is, now awake and fully facing me.

The shivers that ran down my spine made me freeze. Just like all those times in front of my house. He’s staring at me like all those times. Like he’s waiting for my next move. But there aren’t any, there never was. I just stand paralyzed, completely hopeless. Just like always.

“Well, how convenient. I’ve been waiting for this.” His mask sure did deliver his current emotion perfectly, because I’m still frozen in place, even as I realise he’s making his way towards me, and even when he grabs my hand roughly.

No actually, that’s when I started struggling.

I wiggle my arm, trying my best to get away from his strong grip. But no matter how hard I pull, he didn’t budge, not even an inch.

He starts pulling me away. I notice that he’s taking me back down to the basement. Which doesn’t make sense. I thought he was going to just beat me right on the spot. Maybe he’s taking me down there because I’ll make too much noise.

I am his first victim after all, so he’ll probably go slow, which will be painful. If he just tortures me here, the neighbors will hear.

Oh no… No. No! NO!

I don’t want to die!

I’m not ready.

I didn’t get to thank everyone for everything they ever did.

I didn’t get the chance to see Gwen one last time.

I didn’t get the chance to see everyone one last time.

I didn’t get the chance to see everyone’s results on that maths test.

Did they do good or bad?

Will I ever actually know?

What will they do without me?

I know. They’ll move on. Sure, maybe fail a few tests, but maybe find a new teacher. Find a new friend who wouldn’t lie to them all the time. Who isn’t so weak they have to defend him from bullies. Who isn’t so stupid he’ll forget that his sister already told him she’s taking the bike home. Who isn’t such a dumbass he couldn’t pick a simple lock to save his life.

My ignorance got the best of me. I thought that since I was able to escape once, I’ll be able to do it again. I realise now how idiotic that was of me. The only reason I survived last time was because of their help. I always needed their help. Always just had a reason to bother them. They didn’t need to help me, but they did. At least I was able to repay them. That seems to be the only thing I ever did right in my life.

But I don’t want it to be.

I start breathing heavily. Oxygen suddenly disappearing around me. I hold my chest tightly.

I’m having a panic attack.

“What’s wrong?” I look up at him. Is he seriously asking that? What’s wrong is that you’re about to kill me.

Suddenly, he pulls me forward and lets go of my hand, making me fall onto the floor of the basement. He looks at me and closes the door behind him, locking it.

“Don’t worry. I promise I’ll be gentle.”

How the hell can you gently beat me up.

I stare at him in disbelief while still breathing heavily. I notice something weird.

He isn’t holding his belt. He doesn’t even have it on. Did he drop it halfway? But he locked the door, so he obviously isn’t going to use it.

So what? He’s going to hit me with his hands? That doesn’t seem like his style.

What is he going to do?

BANG!! BANG!! BANG!!

Both of us turn our heads towards the door.

The banging hadn’t come through the basement door, but the front door. Those bangs sounded angry. Desperate.

I hear another series of bangs.

The Grabber groans, annoyed.

“Just when I’m about to…” He mumbled the last part very quietly, I couldn’t hear him. He turns his head back to me. “I’ll come back.”

He unlocks the door. And as he walks out, I realise he forgot to lock it.

This can be my chance. I stand up and move towards the door, pushing my ears and listening to his footsteps fading away, and another series of bangs.

Maybe if it’s someone, they can see me. I can somehow survive this. Maybe I can sneak through a window or something.

The moment I hear no sounds of his footsteps anymore, I open the door slowly. Making sure it doesn’t creek. I make my way up the stairs. I could already hear muffled conversations. It sounded like a lot of people talking all at once.

I open the door to make sure no one’s in the kitchen. I then tip toe my way to the wall next to the open space leading to the front door. I peak through, only revealing half of my head.

All I could see is the Grabber’s back, whoever he was talking to wasn't visible. It’s obvious he’s talking to multiple people. I could make out one of their voices being a grown man’s.

I still couldn’t see any of them, so I just fully move away from the wall, no longer hiding anymore. I tilt my head to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of something other than his back.

Suddenly, the Grabber just comes moving backwards. Someone pushed him. He moved to the side, and I could see his face. He took off his mask.

Looking at the Grabber’s face, I was too distracted to notice the people staring at me.

“Finney!”

Everyone—even the Grabber— looked at me. I look back at them, and there they are.

Gwen, in front. Obviously being the one who pushed the Grabber.

Right behind her is Robin, the one who shouted my name.

Next to them is a grown man, a police officer from his outfit.

And behind Robin I can see Vance being held back by the officer.

I can see Bruce, Billy and Griffin next to Vance. Also trying to hold him back.

Everyone’s eyes are on me.

“How the hell did you get out!” I look back at the Grabber. His eyes widen, and he immediately put his hands on his face.

“FINNEY!” Before I knew it, everyone is running towards me. I couldn’t say anything because they all just put their arms around me. The weight of them all was too much for my tired body, so we all just came crashing down onto the floor. But they didn’t seem to mind.

All I can hear are their voices. “Finney! We were so worried!” “Finney what happened!?” “Finney are you okay!?” Over and over. They’re even louder now than when I hurt my hand.

“Guys. Guys! I’m fine, promise.” I can already see Billy fighting back tears with Griffin already having a few tears rolling down his face. Gwen has her face buried on my chest.

”Finney, come on. Let’s get him out of here guys.” Vance says, grabbing my arm and lifting me up, with Gwen going up with me. Bruce nods, and Robin comes next to me, lifting my arm and putting it around his shoulder as support.

We all look back at the police officer and the Grabber.

The officer takes out his hand cuffs and pulls one of the Grabber’s hands away from his face and handcuffs it.

“Albert Shaw, you are arrested for kidnapping a child. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court.” He says grabbing Albert’s other hand and handcuffing it.

So that’s his real name.

“Finney Blake.” I look at the officer and nod. “You’re safe now.” The moment he said that, I hear everyone huff a smile of relief. I look at all of them, and they all look back smiling.

“No. WAIT! We had just gotten started!” We turn our heads back at the Grabber, or Albert now. I’ll just call him the Grabber. Giving him a human name is a luxury he doesn’t deserve.

The Grabber starts struggling, making the officer just hold him tighter.

“Stand still! You have the right to remain silent. Try to struggle more and your charges will increase.” The officer yells.

“But I was close! FINNEY! Come on Finney! I took you. I EARNED you! You’re mine! I waited for you! I was patient for you!”

My body cringes all of a sudden. I start shivering from how revolting those claims are.

Instantly, everyone puts their arms in front of me like a shield.

“Don’t talk to him you sick f**k!” Vance shouts at him.

“Stay the f**k away from Finn!” Robin says after.

The Grabber looked like he was about to say something, but then the officer grabbed the back of his head and pushed him down.

“Albert Shaw. You are under arrest and do not get to talk. Come quietly.” The officer orders, dragging the Grabber out the door.

Wait.

Really? It’s done?

I smile.

It’s done!

Once again. In the arms of all the people I love. Surrounded by them in this little huddle of ours.

I cry.

But this time, not because of misery, but joy.

___________________

Everything after that had been a whole blur of events.

I remember the Grabber being put into the police car. He was staring straight at me. But I didn’t mind him. I was busy with all the reporters who had come to ask me questions. It was overwhelming, but all the others were able to scare the reporters away. Well, it was mostly Vance, Robin and Gwen. Bruce, Griffin and Billy were all still hugging me like I’ll disappear if they let go.

After that, a few officers came and started asking me questions of their own. But they were a lot more nicer. Because instead of asking me questions about what the Grabber did to me right off the bat, they asked questions like if I’m okay, or if he injured me.

Which he didn’t. He never got the chance.

After that, one officer said they’ll take me to the station to ask a few questions and I’ll be good to go. All the others wanted to come with me; but the police officer refused. He eventually agreed because Vance threatened to cause a bigger crime scene, and the officer looked tired and obviously not wanting to deal with more trouble so he just let them come.

Which is how we got here. With me getting out of an office where I got asked questions. They weren’t anything too heavy. They just asked questions about how I was taken and what events happened when I was down there.

I told them everything I could tell them. Not everything, but they said it was fine since they’ll investigate the Grabber later anyways.

And honestly, hearing them talk about the Grabber being captured. Having everyone know what a terrible man he is. Now that put a smile on my face.

I close the door of the office behind me and look back at everyone. They’ve been sitting in the waiting room since others aren’t allowed into questioning sessions.

As everyone stands up smiling at me, I notice someone else has come. It’s dad. He stood up quicker than the others and came running towards me. Just like last time. And for the sake of me I just couldn’t hug him back. I know he cares and loves me and Gwen. But ever since mom, he just changed. Changed to a person I don’t see myself loving.

Before the time travel. He started changing, or at least tried to. He began drinking less and came with me to all their funerals. He started acting nicer. So let’s see if he’ll also choose to change in this new timeline. But for now, he’s still on the hook.

A few moments pass and he finally lets go. He looks around and notices all the others on their feet, looking all jittery. So he smiles and backs away. Causing everyone to dash at me, huddling me without saying a word, just enjoying the comfort. So I don’t say anything either, and just enjoy the comfort.

A few minutes later, we left the station. It took a while to get everyone to let go, especially Gwen. But eventually she let go, making a kind of threat to hug me till death later. Which I just smiled at.

They all look hesitant to just leave me. So I decide to say something.

“Hey dad.” He turns to me. “Is it ok if my friends and I have a sleepover tonight?”

I can literally feel all their shocked-happy expressions without even looking.

“Yeah, sure.”

Dad hates guests, but who would say no to a kid who just survived a kidnapping?

I turn back to the others, and they all look happy.

“So, what time do you guys want to come?”

“Now.” They all said at the exact same time.

___________________

Of course, they didn’t go ‘now’ like they planned. All of them had to go back home and get their pajamas after all.

But they still came. Which is how we’re here right now. All laying down in my living room since my own room is too small. The whole living room is covered with lots and lots of pillows and blankets. They all got like two or three pillows and blankets each—I’ll let you do the math—and adding to the ones I already had, we just scattered everything on the floor and decided we’re comfortable.

The time is 10:48pm

We had been watching movies and eating the snacks Billy got for the past few hours, and finally decided to sleep once they heard me yawn once. Once!

I’m currently staring at the ceiling. I don’t know if the others are asleep or not. But I have something on my mind, so I’ll just ask whoever’s still awake.

“Guys, I have a question.”

“Yes?”

So everyone’s awake. Wow, they really need to learn what the game jinx is, how do they say the same thing at the same time so many times?

“Um, well. I was just wondering how you guys found out I was missing so quickly. I mean, the Grabber, he showed me the newspaper in the morning. Like seriously, what’s that about ‘violently demanding the police’? It was so early in the morning.”

Silence took over the room for a while. Nobody said anything. I just waited for an answer.

“Before I say anything, it was all Vance with the police thing.”

“You snitch!”

Griffin ignored Vance and kept talking.

“We had realised so quickly because Gwen called Robin and asked if the play was done already.” Griffin explains.

“Yeah, I was confused as to why she was asking, and when she said it’s because you still didn’t come back. Well, my heart kinda sunk, and sí, sí, I know that’s cliché. But it really scared me.” Robin says, turning his body to face me.

“He then called, like, all of us. And we went on this whole search party thing, even Bruce came all the way with his bike.” Billy points at Bruce, who nods in confirmation.

“When we found no sign of you, home, school, or the streets. We ran to the police station as fast as possible. That’s basically how the whole newspaper thing all started.” Gwen then says.

“I see…” I don’t know what to say, maybe I should thank them.

“You really had us worried Finney.” I look at Bruce.

“Why’d you say you were going home with Gwen?” Griffin asks.

“I don’t know. I forgot she told me she was going home.”

“Then why didn’t you catch up to us?” Griffin asks again, his voice cracking a little.

“You guys were too far for me to catch up.” I reply.

Silence.

“I’m sorry.” I quietly say. They’re upset at me, and I just feel the need to apologize.

Suddenly, I hear a sniffle.

“You f**ing better be.”

I raise my head, and realise they’re all crying. I fully lift my back up so I’m in a sitting position.

“Guys…?” I look at them worried.

They all immediately raise their backs so they’re in a sitting position too. Looking at all of them, and yeah, they’re crying.

On instinct, I open my arms. And they didn’t even hesitate to jump on me.

“We were so scared you might have…you…” Gwen cries out through sniffles.

“I’m fine. I‘m okay. Promise.” I don’t think they want comfort for themselves. It’s obvious they’re worried about me. But it’s fine. I never did plan to leave them in the first place.

This is how my plan was supposed to go. Just like this.

This is right.

___________________

The next morning came peacefully. Once again, I was the one to wake up first. That’s probably because I slept so much in the basement.

I aggressively shake my head.

We’re done with that now. I need to stop thinking about it.

I look around at all the others and notice Gwen is missing. But then I hear shuffling in the kitchen, so I start making my way there. I walk in and see Gwen sitting down on a chair with a glass of water in her hand. She glances up at me and smiles.

“Good morning Finney.” She greets. She looks tired.

“Good morning Gwen.” I greet back, sitting on the chair next to her. “How’d you sleep last night?”

She huffs an amused laugh. “I was scared to sleep at all. I did eventually, but it was still scary.”

“Why?”

She hesitates for a moment. “Do you know how we found out you were in that house?” She asks, finally looking away from the glass cup.

“Uh…no, actually.” It all happened so quickly, I didn’t get the chance to question anything.

“I had a dream.” My eyes widen. Yeah of course, Gwen had a dream on the previous timeline too.

I nod a little, indicating for her to continue.

“It was so scary. When we noticed you were gone, I hadn’t slept at all that night since we were doing the search party thing, so at some point I ended up sleeping the next morning at the police station while the others were out putting up the missing posters.” She pauses for a second, taking a sip of her water; and a deep breath. “That’s when I had the dream. It was…well you, but you looked dead. Blood was all over you, and for some reason you were-” She just stops herself and puts her hand on her mouth. “...only wearing…pants…” She mumbles it so quietly that I would’ve missed it if I wasn’t so close.

“Gwen, you don’t have to tell me if it makes you feel like this.” I wrap my arms around her shoulders.

“No, you deserve to know.” She says, taking another deep breath. “You were laying on a bed…” I could see tears rolling down her face. “And then I saw him, and then I saw him getting out of his house, carrying you…” She shakes her head. “He was carrying you to another house, but when he was doing that, I was able to read the number of the house. And yeah…”

I nod at her. “Thank you Gwen.”

“But still.” She says firmly. “The covered in blood and wearing pants thing. It still bothers me. Are you sure he didn’t do anything?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. You guys came just before he was about to do something.” I assured her.

“Heh, that was actually you. We were riding around that street when we heard a dog barking. We looked over and saw this thing dangling on the door.” She explains. “I realised the house looks exactly like the dream. Everyone almost fell off their bikes from how loudly I shouted for them to stop.”

“Hehe, I can imagine that.” I chuckle.

“Still though…” Gwen mutters. “I feel really guilty.”

“You shouldn’t be.”

“I really should! If I had just watched the play, you would’ve never had to go through that.”

You’re wrong. Whether or not I had been taken yesterday, I would’ve still known what it was like to go through that.

“Gwen please. I don’t want you to feel guilty. It wasn’t your fault.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t. It was ours.” Both me and Gwen look behind us and see everyone standing next to the kitchen’s doorway.

“We should’ve come with you to make sure you’re safe.” Robin says.

“No, it’s not your fault either. It was mine, I was the one who forgot-”

“It wasn’t your fault Finney! How could it ever be your fault?!” Bruce cuts me off.

“You were the one who got f**ing kidnapped and yet you still think it’s your fault!”

If I didn’t know them; I’d say they’re furious right now. But I know they’re not. They’re sad.

“It’s not my fault. But it’s not any of yours either!”

“It’s his fault.” Billy says in an angry tone.

I smile. “Yeah, it’s his fault.”

No one says anything, but no one has to.

“Come on. Do you guys want breakfast?”

“Yes!”

____________________

“You know-”

“No one cares.”

Billy looks at Griffin like he’s ready to throw hands.

“You didn’t even let me finish!”

Griffin looks at Billy with an expression that says ‘so what’.

“And as I said, no one cares.” He just states matter-of-factly.

Billy huffs and bites down on the garlic bread I made him.

“For anybody who isn’t Griffin.” Griffin rolls his eyes at that. “Tomorrow is the weekend, so how about we just have this whole 'us time' and sleepover at someone’s house?” Billy suggests.

“Yeah! That’s a good idea. I don’t think it’s right to just immediately go to the real world after what happened.” Robin says, looking at me and smiling. “What do you think, Finn?”

I raise my eyebrows and look at everyone. They’re asking me?

“Uh, yeah sure. I’d like that.”

All of them smile.

“Okay then. But who’s house is best?” Bruce asks.

“Let’s ask important questions first. Like who’s parents will allow this many kids to have a sleepover for two days in a row?” Griffin says. Snatching one of Billy’s garlic breads without him noticing.

“My mom is always happy to have guests, so I guess we can try my house.” Vance explains, while looking down, his face a bit red.

“Awww! Vancy Wancy wants us to come to his house. You love us that much?” Billy and Griffin exclaim at the same time.

Vance looks up at them, with a very irritated look. He stands up from his seat and immediately Griffin and Billy try to stand up from their chairs and run, but Vance grabs both their heads and sits them back down. He comes behind them and speaks to their ears menacingly.

“You wanna say that again?” He asks with an intimidating tone.

Griffin and Billy shake their heads quickly, obviously scared for their lives.

“Good.” He pats their heads and goes to sit back on his chair.

“Finney! Vance is bullying us!” Billy cries out to me.

I chuckle at the whole thing. Gwen snickers into her hand while Bruce and Robin are laughing their asses off.

“Thank you Vance. You let us go to your house all the time. It’s very kind of you.”

Vance just looks at me surprised. Poor guy probably never got complimented. He quickly looks down when I smile at him.

“Yeah, whatever.” He mutters.

Griffin makes a silent and dramatic face of disbelief. And billy groans.

“What the hell man! Why are you suddenly all shy and shit!?” Billy shouts.

Vance turns his head back to Griffin and Billy frowning, immediately making them shut up.

“HAHAHAHA!!” Gwen gives up trying to hide her laugh and just joins Robin and Bruce.

“We’re happy to have you back, Finn.” Robin says, wrapping his arm around my shoulder while still trying to contain laughter.

“I’m happy to be back.”

Because I am. This is what I want. Before the kidnapping, before the time travel, and before everything; I‘ve always wanted to make friends. I wanted to know what it feels like to make plans and hang out. What it was like to talk and cry together. What it was like to comfort each other on bad days. I wanted to know what study sessions were, because I’ve always studied alone, so what was it like to study with others? I need to thank them honestly. Thank them for everything. Thank them for nothing. I’ve never understood why those people in movies always thanked people for just existing. I always thought it was weird. But not anymore. Because I understand now. I want to thank them for existing. For giving me a chance and being my friends.

I also want to thank whoever or whatever out there gave me this second chance.

Because in a world where time knows to only walk forward, it was kind enough to take a few steps back for me.