Escape

22

We'll be alright

"Charlie." My voice cracked in the middle, I still couldn't believe I got to talk to him. "Yes, it's me."

"Oh my god, are you okay? I was waiting for you, but you didn't come back a-and I couldn't find you." He took in some deep breaths to compose himself. "What happened? Where are you?"

I could physically feel as my heart shattered in my chest. He sounded so worried and scared. He was still on speaker, my hand shaking a bit as I held my phone.

I didn't know where to start, or what to say...

"I was kidnapped, Charlie. I'm fine but they want to know where are you..." I trailed off. "I know what happened. That man's case you worked on-" I sighed. "Both sides want to find you. The murdered man's group needs you to do more job, but I was kidnapped by the murderer's friend." Tears threatened to spill, but I swallowed down all my pain.

I continued talking, as it seemed like he's stunned to silence.

"Listen, we have to get out of this situation. These who work here are not cruel people, however who you helped, are terrible bastards." I opened and closed my mouth a few times, tried to form words, say anything that would help, but nothing came to my mind. "I-I don't know what to do, Charlie."

I held my head with my free hand, Dylan just sat next to me in silence.

"We'll work something out, okay? I'll get you out of there." His positiveness and comforting side came to the surface, and for a moment everything felt normal. That's my brother, not the one who stutters from nerves.

"I love you so much. You know that, right?" I had to make sure I say these words now that I had the opportunity.

It crossed my mind every time when I was in danger, the only thing that I could think about is that I want to tell him one last time that I love him. I don't know what the future holds, so I had to make sure I said these words.

"Of course, I know. And I love you too, just stay strong for a bit longer, okay?"

I nodded through the strain of tears on my cheek, although he couldn't see it.

"They said, they'll let me go if you tell them where are you..."

I feel like I'm persuading him to walk into a trap. I know that's the best of our chances, but I still feel like a monster at the moment. I don't want to cause him any possible harm just to set myself free.

"But like I said I'm fine, we don't have to do this."

My voice was barely more than a whisper, and I tried to keep my thoughts in, but the words forced their way out of my lips.

"I-I can't tell you." His voice was shaky, probably the most terrified I've ever heard him.

"But I'll figure something out. You'll get out of there, and we'll have a normal life again."

His voice was everything but convincing through his brittle tone, but his words made me feel somewhat better.

I saw from my peripheral vision as Dylan slowly shook his head. I know it would've been better to get the information this way, but I can't give them my brother like that.

I sniffled a bit. "I should go now, but I'll see you soon. Please, be careful."

"No, no, no, wait."

He sucked in a deep breath.

"I-I'll tell you where I am."

My eyes went wide.