Chapter Fifteen

 Dusk had given way to a pitch dark night. There were few clouds in the sky, but they nodded more toward the end of the rainy season than warn of storms.

Adira didn't care whether it would rain or not. The changing seasons simply made her aware that time was passing by quickly, too quickly, and she had yet to find her sister.

The phone had gone silent after she had ended her call to her parents. It had left her feeling heartbroken and as much as she didn't want to, her stomach had coerced her to eat. So she had obliged by dining on a butter sandwich and noodle cup soup. The TV was on, but she kept staring at her phone.

By midnight, she had finished cleaning the glass she had used to drink apple juice and had thrown the garbage out. Sitting with her knees up on the sofa, she picked up her phone, saw the charge was almost gone and plugged it in.

It was no use, she thought with disappointment. Nothing had gone as planned. She had been stupid to pin all her hopes on one plan. Things probably didn't work the way she had expected them to. Perhaps the kidnapper hadn't hacked her phone after all.

She went to bed, but not before switching off all the lights and pushing a small bookshelf from the hall, in front of the door. Beneath her pillow, was also a kitchen knife that she had to remind herself not to accidentally touch.

Drifting off, she hoped tomorrow she would be able to come up with a better plan.

When she heard a beeping that sounded at frequent intervals, her eyes snapped open. Sitting up on her bed, she looked at her bedside clock, saw it was four in the morning- to early for her alarm to go off.

Adira breathed deeply, trying to figure out if she had dreamed the sounds when the beeping sound returned.

She flipped on the bedside lamp and held her breath, listening to see if she heard anything beside the beeping sounds... Like footsteps.

Then she ran into her living room and picked up her phone, hurriedly pulling out the charging cord.

Ten messages.

Her breath hitched and she felt a chill tickle her skin. She glanced once at the front door, saw the bookshelf hadn't budged and the chain was still across the locks. She hadn't switched off the living room lights and now she took a quick look around at the corners, half expecting for an intruder to jump at her.

Pushing away her disoriented thoughts, she unlocked her phone and felt her heart sink when she read the messages.

"Hi, Adira."

"I missed you."

"You have something I want."

She stared at the messages, all of the bubbles containing only one sentence.

"You know what will happen if you don't do as I say."

"Do you miss Sibyl?"

"I want to meet you."

"Or you know what I'll do to Sibyl."

"I'll kill her."

"Do you want to be responsible for her death?"

"Bring the flash drive with you when we meet next."

Beneath that, she saw three dots appear, signalling that someone was typing more messages.

"I'll message you at four tomorrow. Keep your phone close."

Adira quickly typed, "Please don't hurt Sibyl. Is she okay? I need proof."

She waited for the three dots to show up.

Minutes passed, but another message did not appear.

Adira sank down on her sofa, staring at the screen until her eyes hurt. She turned on the lamp on the table beside her, still waiting.

When twenty minutes had passed, Adira realized there wasn't going to be another message.

He had wanted just that, for her to be in tenterhooks. To have absolutely no control in this situation. And he had triumphed once again.

Now she would have to wait till four in the afternoon without knowing for certain that Sibyl was safe.

Her shoulders slumped and she headed back to her room to try to sleep but knew well beforehand that she wouldn't be able to even close her eyes.

Still, she lay down on her back, staring at the ceiling and contemplated what she would have to do next. She was all alone, about to meet a total stranger without a weapon.

And no back up support.

Adira sat up and reached for her backpack. Ramon's phone was in the inside pockets and she removed it, her fingers playing with the buttons and tempted to dial his number.

He wouldn't help her but she needed something.

"No." Her voice had erupted before she had realised. "I can do this on my own."

She put the phone back in the bag, remembered her own phone was still clutched in her right hand and went into the living room to put it on charging again.

It was unnerving to know that she might be getting spied on through it. She imagined the kidnapper watching her sleep and shuddered.

Going back to bed, she hugged a pillow close to her chest and took a deep breath.

She had to stay calm. She had to protect herself.

Because no one else was going to.

Her eyes flickered close and she felt herself falling asleep, when she heard a tiny beep.

She sat up, shocked, certain she was imagining. Her feet hit the floor and she was about to rush into the living room when she realized the beep had come from much closer.

And it hadn't sounded anything like her phone.

When there was another beep, she stared at her backpack and felt a brush of cold wind on her skin. Her hands reached for the backpack and hurriedly flipped it open.

She saw the phone lighting up as another beep sounded.

Picking it up, she saw three text messages.

Her first instinct was that this phone too had been somehow hacked. Old-fashioned or not, the kidnapper had still found a way.

Her heart thudded against her ribs as she opened the messages.

"Are you awake?"

"Did he contact you?"

"Are you okay?"

Adira couldn't process it at first. Who was sending her these messages? The kidnapper?

She shook her head when she saw the number was Ramon's.

Her head spun in confusion. What was going on?

She let out a breath and simply typed 'Yes'.

Half a minute later, the phone rang.

It was Ramon and she had half a mind to cancel the call or to pick it up and scream at him for the way he had behaved with her.

But when she took the call, she shivered when she heard his voice.

"Adira, are you okay?"

Her lips trembled and she clutched the phone with both hands. "Why are you asking?" she sniffed.

"Adira... You retrieved your phone right? And he contacted you? I know he did."

Adira got up from bed. "How could you know?" And then she remembered. The way he had baited her the first time. How he had made her follow him to Sibyl's apartment so that she could find her hiding spot. At that time he had excused himself by saying he wanted her in the right frame of mind to do exactly what he wanted from her.

"Are you kidding me!" She dropped one arm and clenched her hand. "How dare you...?"

"I suggest you speak in a low volume or stay far away from your phone."

He sounded so pleased with himself, so sure.

Adira banged her bedroom door shut, finding a modicum of pleasure in the sound it made.

"Why?" was all she could manage.

"I wanted you..."

"In the right frame of mind? I can't believe you did this to me."

"I wanted it to look believable," Ramon said.

"How did you know he contacted me?"

"I had Caesar run a background program on your phone. It's kind of like a hack. Now before he detects it, there's something I want you to do."

"I literally hate you," she said before she had realized.

Ramon paused and she assumed he was stunned by the venom in her voice. She didn't care.

"I want you to reset your phone," he replied after a few seconds. "To factory settings. It may not remove his hacking tool but it will remove ours. We need to do it before he finds out."

"So you know what messages he sent. You were spying on me." Adira opened her bedroom door and went into the living room. She followed his instructions and waited as the phone turned blank for some time.

"Don't back up, " Ramon said.

"I didn't." Adira went back to her room. "Is it safe?"

"No, I suggest you take precautions."

Adira banged the door shut again.

"Look, I get you're pissed..."

"You have no idea!" She was glad he heard the door bang.

"It had to be done."

"Or you could have confided in me. Told me through a text on this ancient phone or sent me a paper note." Adira paced her room. "But no. You had to get me all worked up and make me hate you."

A thought occurred to her then. "Were you only spying on the messages? Or calls as well? My parents called."

Another pause.

"I know."

She heaved a sigh. "I get it. It's all for Sibyl, right? Anything for her. Even baiting her sister. Putting her in possible danger. All because you are in love with her."

"I would do anything for the people I care about." Ramon spoke without hesitation.

"I'm so glad to know that." Her voice was bitter, just like the acid churning inside her stomach.

"There's no need for sarcasm," he said. "Look, I know he told you to wait for his message until four in the afternoon. Till then, I want you to remove the battery from your phone and use mine to make any calls."

"Who would I call? Not you, because..."

"Because you hate me." He sighed deeply. "Yeah, I get it. Now will you do as I say? Please."

Adira did as he asked, slipping the phone in her pocket and still keeping him on hold. Then she went back to her room and plopped on her bed.

Her hands clasped, her breathing returned to normal. She took out the phone again and said, "Done."

"Thanks. And listen, you need to stay in crowded areas. The mall, your college, wherever there are a lot of people. You'll be a lot safer. And I'll call you to let you know when to turn on the other phone. Okay?"

"Hmm."

"Are you not even going to speak to me now?"

Adira stared put the window, at the rising sun and the bright orange and yellow hues in the sky. "Good bye, Ramon."

She ended the call, grabbed her pillow and hugged it. Then, astounding herself, she began to sob, unsure whether it was because she was played by Ramon again or because she no longer was alone in her search for her sister.

 

***

Looking at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, Adira decided she did look like crap. There were dark circles under her eyes, her skin was too pale and her hair was too dry.

This is what happens when you don’t get enough sleep or eat healthy.

Adira looked at the toothbrush in her hand and remembered that she had come in to brush her teeth. She quickly began her task, all the while scolding herself for not being able to sleep.

An hour’s sleep. Really?

Collecting her long hair to one side, she bent and spat into the sink. Then she eyed the shower and stepped into the tub. She turned on the tap and let the cool water spray all over her. Lifting her head up, she tried unsuccessfully to clear her mind.

He’s going to contact me at four. Ramon said I need to be in a crowd. Should I go to college? What’s the point? I’m not completing my semester. I’m just going to take Sibyl home with me.

Wiping her face, she undressed, threw her wet clothes onto the floor and then shampooed her hair followed by a rough scrubbing of soap all over her body. When she was done, she turned off the tap and wrapped a towel around her shivering body.

She dressed quickly, picking the first clothing items she saw in her wardrobe- an olive green tank top, a checked linen shirt and a pair of grey denims. She blow dried her hair and plaited her, letting it hang on her shoulder.

Heading to the living room, she picked up her phone and battery, and went into her bedroom to toss it into her backpack. Then putting on her shoes and watch, she walked up the front door, pushed away the bookshelf, and stepped out. Her eyes darted around the corridor, looking for anyone who might be watching her.

It was quiet and she quickly locked the door and turned the handle once to make sure it wouldn’t budge. Then she took the elevator and headed down, clutching her backpack as she walked out into the bright sunny day.

She blinked, looked at her watch and saw it was still several hours before she was going to be contacted. Her first stop was a small cafe where she bought a large cup of black coffee, and then she walked to college, sipping and regretting the burning sensation in her stomach. Of course, she had to eat. But her appetite was gone. At least she was keeping hydrated. She studied the cup in her hands and frowned. A water cup would have been better.

Once in college, she made sure to stay inconspicuous, not wanting anyone to approach her and ask about her sister. Or even apologize for being jerks as she was going through a hard phase in her life. She didn’t want any of it.

Her first class was already underway and she took the last bench, avoiding looking at Neil who, from her peripheral vision, she noticed had given her a slight wave.

An hour later, class was over and Neil approached her as she was tossing away the half-full coffee cup in the dustbin.

“Hey! I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” He said.

Adira took a deep breath. “Where’s Ruby?”

“She’ll come in later.” Neil spoke a little too casually and Adira put her guard up. “I wanted to apologize to you. I had no idea what you were going through. The police explained that the photos I received of you were doctored. I should have never distrusted you.”

“You couldn’t have known.”

“I should have trusted you.” He spoke with so much sincerity, that Adira looked at him with surprise. “You didn’t deserve the way I treated you. In spite of everything that I did, you never let yourself shatter. That’s commendable.”

Adira blinked, feeling a little dazed by what she was hearing.

I hope I’m not dreaming.

“Adira, I can’t begin to express how sorry I am. The minute I received those photos, I went into revenge mode. I destroyed your reputation, made up lies to get everyone to my side...I behaved despicably. Childish. And worse, I started dating Ruby just so I could show you that I could get any girl I wanted.” Neil shook his head. “I wish I had known. I would have never been with Ruby.”

“You were chatting with her while we were still dating,” She reminded him and then let out her anger in one breath. “You know what, it’s fine. What happened has happened. I can’t think about this anymore. Not when...”

“I understand.” Neil touched her shoulder. “Your sister is your priority. Has the police gotten ahead in their investigation?”

“I haven’t been informed of anything,” Adira said and backed away so that Neil’s hand dropped from her shoulder. She still hated him for what he had done, but at this moment, she couldn’t make him her priority. “Anyway, I have to go to my next class.”

Neil took her hand and squeezed. “I am sorry, you know.” He looked around him and then smiled at her. “I am with Ruby. But I do miss you. Very much. I wish...”

“I have to go!” Adira spoke a little too harshly. She didn’t want to hear Neil say anything any more about their relationship. It was over. He had ended it. And now he was with Ruby. There was no way, she was going to let Neil treat Ruby the same way he had treated her.

Adira walked away, heading across the campus to the next building where she did have a class that she didn’t want to attend. Instead, she walked around the building and then leaned against the wall, staring up at the sky and watching the clouds go by.

Checking her watch, she groaned when she saw it was still a long time before four.

***

After a measly lunch of soup in a cup and potato chips, Adira had attended her next class, although she couldn’t say what the subject had been or what the lecture was.

Her stomach was in knots and she tapped her foot restlessly. Clutching the edge of her desk, she stared down at her notebook, before realizing she was just causing a distraction to the other students who kept looking back at her. Finally, she stood, excused herself and walked out into the sunny afternoon.

The cool breeze made her feel a lot better and she decided to spend the next door outdoors and calm herself. She watched the other students sitting around in benches and studying for the upcoming exams, and realized she too should be studying.

But Sibyl. I don’t think I can even breathe freely until I know she’s safe.

She was making a turn around the red brick college building when she felt a hand circle her wrist and pull her into the narrow space between the two buildings.

Before she could scream, a hand clamped over her mouth. She blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the sudden darkness.

“Don’t say a word.”

The warning, still her heart.