“I’M LATE,” I screech as I hurriedly put my pants on. I snoozed my alarm way too many times and now I’m super super late!! “Zack Carter has been missing since yesterday. He was last seen walking home but never made it to his house.” That stopped me dead in my tracks. Zack was missing? It must be a coincidence. There’s no way that’s the same Zack.

The pitiful looks at school followed me everywhere. “Wasn’t Zack your boyfriend?” “I feel so bad for you” “If you need anything I’m here for you.”

It’s almost like Zack isn’t missing because all eyes are on me instead. I know he’ll turn up. He has to. I was just talking and holding hands with him yesterday, and now he’s gone? There’s no way.

*Beep beep* I groan as I take my phone out of my pocket. Everyone knows not to text my in school. The phone screen lit up with a message from an unknown number. “Who is that,”I whisper to myself. I click on the message and it reads this. “I have Zack with me. You’re dating, aren’t you? Your parents screwed me over. They think they’re big shots, don’t they? I want 1,000,000 in cash. You have a week. If you don’t show up Zack’s going to pay and it’ll be your fault.”

“Who?” “Who would do this?” “Why?” “Can I save him in time?” Millions of thoughts were racing through my head. I was shaking. My palms are sweating. I can’t breathe! I need to get home. I need the money now.

“No.” A single word which could ruin so much. “I’m not lying! The message is right here! Zack’s in danger! I need it,” I scream. I plead. In return all I get are stone cold stares. “Just let him die. Whats the problem? You could always replace him.” They’re wrong. I can’t replace him. He’s the best thing to ever happen to me. I can’t let them do this!

“$200” “$200?! I can’t pay for that right now!” “Then no deal,” the guy says over the phone. “I can pay you back later!“ I scream! “$100 now and $100 next week. If you can promise me that, the pin is yours.” I did it. I did it! “I swear! The money just transferred to your account! What’s the pin?” Words rush out and mix into each other but I don’t care. I can save him. “6916” he says. Then the call ends.

*beep beep* That stupid unknown numbers pops back up on my screen. It says “where’s the money? I said I wanted it today! Where are you?!” Didn’t I tell him I needed another day? Did I forget? “I’m sorry! I need just one more day. Please. I’ve almost got it all.” I get sent an address and nothing more. I can’t get it today so I have to hope he’ll be okay.

“I’m here. Where are you. Hello? Are you there?” Why isn’t he responding? Was I too late? *crunch* Footsteps. Is he here? I whip my head around and there stands the unknown guy. I can’t see him but I don’t care. I don’t care who he is. I only care about Zack. “Zack’s over there,” the man says and points to the forest edge.

I’m running. My breathing is fast. My legs hurt. He’s right there. I can’t see him but I know it. Wait. Something’s wrong. All I see is his hand, his body covered by leaves and rocks. I was too late. He’s gone. I fall. I can’t breathe. I’m shaking. I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! “Boo,” I hear. I turn to look at him but something else gets me first. Lights out.

I was tricked. Zack’s fine. I’m not. Now I lay in my own blood. My head hurts. I can’t think. I can’t move. I want to call for help but I can’t. I was tricked. I thought he loved me. He just wanted my money. “I hate you Isaac. My parents worked under yours and our lives got ruined because of it. You deserve this. I never loved you. I just wanted your money. After what happened to my parents though, I no longer needed money, just revenge.” He says before he kicks various objects onto me. Now I lay in the same spot he did, covered by rocks and leaves, only my hand sticking out.