We were all whisked off backstage. I got a towel slapped on my head to serve as a “disguise”, so that they could get me back to the bus without being attacked. It never worked. I could always count on somebody sneaking up behind me and tearing my towel off my head (and a few strands of my hair, with that), and then running off to go squeal to their friends about it. However, I managed to get back to the bus safely, just in time to wait in line for the last shower of the evening. I showered too much. We all did.
That night, I burned Amber’s phone number. It was a stupid thing to do, but I was bored out of my mind. I turned on the burner on the “stove” and burnt the thing to a crisp. It set the smoke alarm off and got myself in trouble for waking the kids up. But, I figured, if I could put tonight behind me, just a little bit, it was all worth it.
First thing in the morning, my phone rang. I have Caller ID, but, at three in the morning, you don’t take the time to check and see who’s bugging you. “Hullo?” A raspy, yet lyrical voice responded. “Hey. I’m sorry to wake you—I know it’s early, and I’m sorry, but this is important.” I checked my digital watch. “Early? It’s beyond early. It’s…oh…three o’ one in the morning. Who is this?” There was a short pause on the other end of the line. “Oops. I forgot about the different time zones—it’s a little later here. Where are you now?” I was ready to hang up now. “What are you, a stalker? Yeah…you probably are. Get a life. I have Caller ID. I’m going to bed now, but I’m reporting you to authorities in the morning. G’night.” The person didn’t give up. “Zac—wait, it’s me, Amber. Don’t hang up.” I moaned. “God, not you again. How did you get my phone number, anyway?” A sigh. “Abby. She said to call you on your birthday, and she gave me the number.” I fell back onto my bed. “She should’ve made better friends.” She laughed. “Yeah, better than you.” That made me smile. “Listen. I have your letter. That Abby sent you. You never picked it up off the floor. I found it. I have it.” I sucked in my breath, waiting. “The venue would have sent it to me. You shouldn’t have touched it. I want it back, now. That letter means everything to me.” I knew what she would answer. I didn’t want to hear it.
“Zac. I have to do the right thing, if you won’t. This letter is a clue. Abby’s parents, and the police, should see it. This could help find her…” I squeezed the phone. “What is it with this crap about clues? Are you a freaking detective or something? Nobody should see it but us. That’s personal. It’s mine. She never meant for anybody else to see it.” Amber argued. “You’re so selfish. This is obviously a cry for help. She wants to be saved. I need to turn this in.” I shook my head. “That’s stolen property. Not evidence. My name’s on it. It belongs to me. If you do turn that in, I’ll claim that an obsessed fan wrote that to me. It’s unsigned. It could be from anybody.” She sighed. “You don’t care about her, do you? She needs you. I could make a copy for you, but somebody needs to see this. If you love Abby like I do, you’d understand.” She hung up. I was used to hanging up on others…but never, ever, did anyone ever hang up on me. I didn’t know what to do. That letter did mean everything. As far as I knew, it was all that I had left of my best friend.
Chapter 13...Coming Soon
