Lucky Thirteen

Hey, you're not here and I'm not even sure where you are.

I asked your parents, but you had told them that you were with me.

I asked your sister, but you hadn't told her that you left.

I'm getting scared.

You've told me before that if you disappeared, it wouldn't be for a good reason. It meant that you were either dead or you finally ran away.

As I sat on the ground outside of your house, I called your phone again for the thirteenth time. It rang and rang, the familiar tone giving me a headache. Or maybe it was the stress. I didn't know.

"Don't try to call me," a voice snapped as the line was picked up.

"Michael!" I was ecstatic. You finally answered! "Where are you, dude?"

"It's unimportant. Either way, don't try to call me again."

"What? Why?"

"I'm being tracked, that's why. This is the fifth phone I've gone through, and I'm going to change my number after this call."

"Who's tracking you?"

"That's also not important. Either way, just don't try to call me again. I'll be back soon."

"How soon?"

"I can't know for sure. Just make sure that nothing happens to my sister, okay?"

"Okay." My voice was quiet. "I love you, Michael. See you soon."

"Love you too, Alex."

I didn't hear from him after that phone call.

I decided to assume he was dead.