Somewheere In Mexico

"No mum! Due to the heavy traffic, I couldn't make it to Donald's place for the lessons. Just decided to head back home, besides I'm very tired", Marcus said hurrying to his room.

"No! Toasted bread again? I hate toasted bread", was his comment as he stepped into the kitchen.

Emma was in her room making a drawing of her best Disney princess 'Barbie'. Aiden was also painting his Disney hero 'Ben 10'.

"Emma! Emma! Emma! Oh no. I'm very sure this girl is just making one of her useless drawings of Barbie again. What a jobless fellow. Even her younger brother. I don't know what in God's name is wrong with these kids!"

Their Mom, Mrs Kinney was so upset, having no one to help her out in the kitchen. Her phone rang on the balcony and she ran off to answer it. By the time she got back, the toasted bread had gotten burnt. She screamed and yelled, calling on the kids to come help her make another meal.

Maybe noodles.

Marcus was so happy about the new development and he willingly helped out with the noodles

"Mum, I can't have noodles tonight. I'll just have some pizza and ice cream", Emma grumbled moving to the freezer to get the bowl of ice cream.

Aiden saw this and said, "Mum please can I get like three dollars to buy some gummy bears and doughnuts down the street or is there some at home?"

"Hey! You little things should stop this nonsense and come give some help in making the noodles before your dad gets back", Mrs Kinney retorted sharply.

Emma sniffed and turned to Aiden,

"You fool! Look what you've caused now. You keep doing whatever I do. Ass hole!"

Steven got really angry, "Don't call me an ass hole, you dumb ass. Silly girl".

They both got into a very heated exchange of words and in a split second, Emma held Aiden by the collar and swung him to the dishwasher by the door. The bang made Mrs Kinney look back and what she saw really threw her off balance. The dishwasher had gotten broken and all the dishes in it fell out and broke too. Mrs Kinney and Marcus quickly took out two whips and spanked the hell out of the two naughty children. Due to that, everyone went to bed without having dinner.

"Mum please can I have some pizza?" Emma asked later at night.

"No!" Was Mrs Kinney's response.

Aiden got really hungry so he snuck into the kitchen at 1:20am and really enjoyed himself. If only Emma hadn't walked in, he would've been free but Emma came into the kitchen and caught him with pizza soiled all over his face and fingers.

"Please Emma, don't tell mum. I'll do anything you want me to do but don't tell anybody. Please", Aiden begged.

Emma smiled and said, "I won't tell anyone only if you give me all the money in your piggy bank".

"No, that's so cruel. I have like seventeen dollars in there. And I'm saving every dime to purchase some comics. Please don't do this to me", Aiden was almost in tears.

"Well", she thought for a while, "I need the money to get some make-up kit", Emma added, smiling mischievously at Aiden.

They began quarreling again, "Aiden, just give me all your savings and I'll keep your dirty secret".

"No. I won't, you greedy, extravagant girl", Aiden returned.

"Oh! I'm extravagant now, yeah? Well, you can keep your money to yourself. Mum!..."

"Shh! I'll give you the money please", Aiden cried.

By the time they were done talking, the lights came on and guess who it was.... Mum!

The two little bugs scurried away for their lives but they still got caught.

"Come here naughty things. What the hell are you doing in my kitchen this late huh?"

Emma stuttered, "Uhmm.... I, no, we came to have a cup of water. Yes, you know Barbie said that water helps improve one's looks and she also....."

"Shut up! Crazy girl. You can never make a speech without having to mention Barbie. What is even wrong with you? Now answer me Aiden and mind you, I don't want to hear anything about one of your stupid cartoons, okay? Now talk"

Aiden had to tell the truth, "Mum I came to have some pizza, I was really hungry okay? And I needed to eat something. Look, don't tell me you're gonna punish me cause I know my rights".

Mrs Kinney gasped at the two children, "Now leave my kitchen. Emma from today, I won't do your laundry and same goes for you Aiden".

Emma grabbed Aiden by his belt and dragged him to her room.

"You this mannerless boy, why did you have to speak to mum in such a manner? Now I have to do my laundry myself. Little imp".

"Wow... Emma, your room is cool..... Wait, did you just call me mannerless? At your age, you're scared of doing your own laundry".

"Okay. I can see that you want to start another fight so just leave my room. Gosh! You stink! Get out!" Emma yelled, pushing Aiden out.

* * *

Marcus was in his class reading a novel when a young, rough looking guy tapped him on his shoulder, "Marcus, you wanna join us over there?" He said pointing at a group of boys talking and laughing.

"No, thank you. I'm kinda busy right now".

The boy left.

Marcus was way too serious with his studies and had a really soft heart.

His friends mocked him about that,

"Hey! Why don't you join the girls over there and gossip", and they laughed.

This usually made him upset. He got up and walked to the refectory to get some snacks. On his way, he saw Emma and Aiden and as always, they were fighting over something

"Emma, Mum gave me ten dollars and asked that you have eight dollars, so I need my balance", Aiden yelled tugging at Emma's bag.

"No, I won't give you a dime. I'm your elder sister and I have to take the larger share so go screw yourself!" She retorted.

Marcus quickly came between the two before they started ripping each other apart, "What's going on? Can't you two stay without having to fight?"

They both started talking at the same time.

"Mum said I should take ten dollars and give Emma eight, now she doesn't want to give me my balance", Aiden explained.

"Emma, is that true?" Marcus asked, staring at Emma.

"Well, I don't know if he's lying or not but why would Mum ask him to take a better part of the money. I'm the older one after all", she replied and gave Aiden a scornful look.

Marcus brought out his wallet and gave Aiden two dollars. With that, they both had ten dollars to themselves and everyone walked off happy and satisfied.

* * *

"Yeah! Kick the ball. This way Jake. Good one Robin", Aiden yelled as he watched his friends play soccer. He had snuck out of his room to his friend's house on the next street. His Mum had grounded him and Emma and they were to remain indoors till they both learnt to stay together without fighting. Well, this didn't bother Emma much cause she was so busy surfing the web for you know what.

She barely even did anything else other than just use her cell phone all day long.

Well, unfortunately for her, or do we say them both, Mr Kinney was home from work quite early and he walked into her room. It was as though he had just walked into a Disney studio.

"Is this what you've actually turned your room into? Is this a joke or something? Even your phone cover is Barbie. What is actually wrong with you huh?"

Emma just lay there, biting her fingernails as she watched her dad yell.

"Seriously dad? You just walked into my room without even a knock or something? What if I was undressing? And besides, I don't even know why Mum had to ground us" She rolled her eyes, picked up her phone and went on with what she was doing.

Mr Kinney, knowing she was right, walked out of her room and shut the door behind him. He went to Aiden's room but he wasn't there. He just shook his head and went to his room to get some rest after the day's work.

He worked as a budget analyst in a company while his wife was a business woman who owned her own grocery store.

By past 2, Aiden snuck back home but he was caught by Emma.

"Wow! Smart little brother. I hope you had so much fun. Well, I just need to tell Mum that her baby didn't keep to her orders", she said smiling.

"No Emma, don't tell Mum ple... Hold on a sec. Is that my phone in your hand? What're you doing with it? Now give it back", Aiden said, dragging his phone.

"If you take back your phone, I'll tell Mum and Dad what you did", Emma threatened.

"I don't care. Just let me have my phone back", and he dragged the phone out of her hand, " Wow! You have a boyfriend at 13. Mum would love to hear this".

Emma was scared. She didn't know what to do and of course, she wasn't going to beg Aiden. Her pride wouldn't let her do that. They just got into their usual squabble and the noise brought their parents and Marcus running down the stairs.

"Aha! Aiden, where're you coming from looking that way?" Mrs Kinney asked, tapping the table lightly. She was getting tired of the kids' constant fights.

"I've been indoors all day long. Yes, in my room", he replied, avoiding eye contact with her.

"Young man," it was their dad, "I've been to your room and you weren't there, so where're you coming from?"

Marcus went for the phone in Aiden's hand and he was shocked at what he saw, "Emma you have a boyfriend at 13? You're kidding me, right?"

For a second, everyone forgot about Aiden and all eyes were on Emma. She stood there staring at the ground and fondling her dress. She felt like sinking into the ground.

At this point, Mr Kinney had had the height of it all. He grabbed the both of them and took them to the garage where they were locked up for two days.

They were only allowed out for a shower and then returned back to the garage for the rest of the day. No cell phones, no games.

* * *

"I guess you're happy that we've been locked in here now. You never keep your mouth shut", Emma said and kicked at Aiden's leg.

Aiden ignored her and kept on with what he was doing but Emma wouldn't let him be. She continued making scornful remarks at Aiden and when he couldn't take it anymore, he just let everything out. Well, he shouldn't have because it just ended up in a fight and of course, Emma had the upper hand because of her age.

Finally, two days had gone by and the children were released. Emma headed straight to her room and she was bedazzled by the sight. Everything in her room had been changed and all her paintings and portraits had been gotten rid of by her parents.

"Mum! Is this actually my room? I didn't leave my room this way. This isn't fair", Emma cried.

Aiden too was trying to understand what was actually going on. He was almost in tears.

Mr and Mrs Kinney were in their room listening to their kids' wailings but didn't make a move.

"Their addiction has to stop. They can't go on like this. They ain't kids anymore for chrissakes. I think they should even take a break off from social media. That'd help them a lot", and with that Mr Kinney made his way to Emma's room and snatched away her phone. Same with Aiden.

* * *

Marcus was up in his room studying and he soon got bored. He changed his T-shirt and put on a pair of white canvas before he left for Eric's house. As he arrived, he saw Eric with two strange looking guys and a brown paper bag. On seeing Marcus, they immediately hid the bag.

"Hey, who the fuck is this kid. You didn't tell us someone was coming over", the one with red hair and a large nose smirked.

"Uhm... Marcus, you didn't inform me you were coming over", and then he turned to the other guys, "I'm very sorry guys, and besides, I think Marcus will like the deal", Eric smiled and gave Marcus a slight shove in the shoulder.

Marcus shook his head and turned to leave but was pulled back by the guy with a large nose,

"You're with us now. You've seen us already. Besides, you can make some cool cash. Just check this out, you get 100 bucks on every transaction. You'll be a rich young man having to buy all the expensive dresses, shoes and hang out with the most beautiful girls at your school. Just deliver this package at a warehouse on Simpson street on your way to school. I'll give you more details to locate the warehouse. A man will be waiting for you there".

A cold chill went down Marcus's spine. A lot was running through his mind at that moment. He had a lot to say but didn't know what exactly. Finally, he found his words and spat out,

"No. I wasn't trained to do stuff like this. My parents will be disappointed if they found out about this".

Noah, the second guy who had been quiet all the while laughed at Marcus,

"Mummy's boy. Ain't you like 18? Mummy will never get to know about this", and he continued laughing.

This really got Marcus. He hated it when people thought he was a weakling.

"I'll do it. But first I must know what's in the bag".

For a second, the guys whispered amongst themselves and then Roderick spoke,

"You'll know what's in the bag later. You just have to deliver it first".

Unconvinced still but not ready to argue, Marcus picked up the bag and hurried home.

Emma was already waiting anxiously for his return and when she saw him, she walked up to him, "Bro, where did you go? I wanted to ask for some money. Please?" And she gave him the puppy eye.

Marcus, annoyed by that, walked past her without saying a word and headed for his room.

"Hmm.... He has never behaved in such a manner to me. I think I need to get paid before I do anything in this house. Or maybe I could offer to clean Dad's car every morning for 4 dollars. Brilliant!" She said and hurried to her room.

* * *

"Yes Ryan, can you brief us on the history of Puerto Rico?" Mrs Heffley, the history teacher asked.

Ryan just stood there staring like a moron. He was like the dullest kid in Aiden's class and he wasn't even making any efforts to improve.

All eyes were on him now and Mrs Heffley was yet to decide his punishment when she caught a glimpse of Aiden sleeping in her lesson.

"Can someone wake that kid up?"

A fat girl sitting right next to Aiden banged at his locker and he woke up, stunned.

"Why are you sleeping in my class, Aiden? You will have detention for one week. So after school, move to Mr Ray's class and stay for an hour", she said.

Aiden had a movie to see at Donald's place after school so he just thought of running home immediately the bell for dismissal went.

But sadly for him, Mrs Heffley waited right outside his class and took him to Mr Ray who offered Aiden a seat right next to a bully named Leon Ricket. Leon Ricket wasn't a bright kid. But anyways, Leon was in detention for what he did when a wasp perched on the window in the homeroom. He had smashed the window with a seat.

After two minutes, Aiden got a plan. He fell on his knees and started crying, "Mr Ray, I'm not feeling too well. I was diagnosed with ulcer and I have to take my medications sir".

Mr Ray quickly let Aiden go home

On his way home, Aiden met Marcus having a conversation with a man who he (Aiden) would call a rogue. From his physique to his eye patch and several other things that Aiden didn't like about him. They both stood in front of a warehouse. The place actually looked abandoned and until now, Aiden didn't know that people go in and come out at intervals.

"Bro! Good I met you. I always see you around here so what's....." Aiden was pulled aside by Marcus.

"Hey, what the fuck are you doing here? What is your problem? Can't you just head back home without having to trouble me?" Marcus said with a slight look of irritation on his face.

Aiden wasn't surprised anyways. He knew that he and Emma always gave Marcus much trouble. His attention was caught by the wrist watch Marcus had on. It must have cost a fortune.

* * *

Marcus stopped by Eric's house and spent some time. The new friends he kept really had an impact on him. He barely even had time to study anymore. Whenever he was home, he was either watching movies, listening to music or texting girls.

Eric was in a business of selling drugs, human parts, guns and all. But to Marcus, he was just hustling. If only he knew the nature of the business, he would never have tried to be a part of it at first. He had grown his hair and got a tattoo on his right arm.

Emma was cleaning her room when Aiden knocked loudly on her door. She opened the door and he stormed in.

"What's wrong? Who's after you?"

Aiden just sat there trying to catch his breath.

"Look Emma I don't know but have you been noticing anything strange about Marcus's attitude lately?" Aiden asked.

Bella nodded her head. Finally, someone said it. She had thought she was the one with the problem all this while. Maybe Marcus was getting tired of her excessiveness.

"Yeah.... You're actually making a point there. Few days ago, I saw him counting a huge sum of money and we all know that Marcus barely has time for any other thing besides his books. When I asked him where he got the money, he just yelled at me. He has never spoken to me in such a manner before".

"I think something's up with Marcus. We have to keep a close watch on him. He always stops by at a warehouse every morning on his way to school".

Emma was in affirmation of what Aiden said. This was like the first time they had both agreed on something.

Aiden still sat there peeping at everything in the room when Emma asked him to leave. He was reluctant at first but on a second thought, he stood up and slowly walked away. At least he and his long-time enemy were at peace and he would trade a fortune to retain it.

Marcus swung his backpack to his back and left the dining room after having his breakfast. He looked around and went into his room to collect the pack.

Unfortunately, Emma and Aiden were in his wardrobe. As he picked up the pack it accidentally fell down and a powdered substance spilt.

"What the hell is this?" He stuttered, sniffing the substance. It was too strong for him.

"Gosh! This is cocaine. What have I gotten myself into now? Eric never told me the business was of this nature".

Emma wanted to scream but Aiden was quick to close her mouth,

"Shh... Don't make a sound. We have to follow him to where he's going".

Bella nodded.

Marshall packed up the cocaine and sealed it in another plastic bag. He put it in his backpack and hurried off.

He didn't go through the usual route but decided to take a path that would be shorter. He knocked sharply on the door and a man opened it. Emma and Aiden hid behind a car a few meters away from the warehouse. Marcus put his backpack down on a table and brought out the package.

"What happened to it?" Fregley asked, blinking at Marcus. His voice was hoarse as though he had stayed up all night taking alcohol.

Marshall shivered, "it dropped and split open. So I put it in a new plastic bag. Nobody saw me, okay? Everything's safe".

Mackey moved towards Marcus and threw a punch across his face. This sent him crashing on the table. Emma and Aiden heard the noise.

"What're they doing to Marcus", Emma nagged in her teary voice.

Mackey and Keith pulled Marcus up roughly.

"Hey kid, you saw what was inside the pack, didn't you? Speak up, you junk".

Marcus cried. He raised his head and pleaded for mercy. Fregley pulled Marcus and tied him to a seat.

"Now talk to me. What did you see inside the pack?" He asked.

Marcus had blood all over his face and clothes.

"I don't know what I saw. But it is white and powdered", he said.

Fregley signaled to Keith and he threw a slap across Marcus's face which got his eye swollen.

Emma and Aiden had long been watching everything going on through a window and heard everything.

"Hey, you've got your phone with you? We need to put a call across to the cops right away before things get out of hand", Aiden spoke as silently as he could with his gaze fixed on what was going on in the warehouse.

"Dad has my phone. He took it a few days back and is yet to return it".

"Dang it! What're we gonna do now? Marcus is badly hurt", Aiden had a confused look on his face. He was still trying to figure out what to do when Emma came up with an idea.

"Why don't we run across the street and activate the security alarm of that car over there", she said pointing at a BMW that was packed in front of the coffee store just opposite the warehouse.

Aiden didn't think that it was so good an idea but that was the only possible solution at hand.

"Hey..... What's going on? Who called the cops. We've gotta get outta here this minute. Keith, you and Mackey bring this kid along", Fregley yelled, pulling out a pistol, terrified.

The three thugs came out of the warehouse, dragging Marcus along.

Marcus sighted Aiden and Emma at a distance. He said things that neither Emma nor Aiden could comprehend. But they knew he was calling for help. He wasn't done talking when he was hit with the butt of a gun by Fregley. This sent him crashing down and he immediately blacked out.

They pulled Marcus into their vehicle and zoomed off leaving a cloud of dust behind and the two kids chasing after them. Emma and Aiden, realizing they weren't helping matters, stopped to catch their breath and think of the next possible solution.

"What's next Emma? We've gotta do something real quick", Aiden was crying.

" Why don't we go report at the station? They should be able to help out. This is a kidnap case", Emma said, pulling Aiden along. They were still exhausted from chasing after the vehicle but still had to drag themselves along till they got to a police station.

On making their way into the station, all eyes were on them. Probably wondering what kids their age would be doing at the station at that time of the day. They both ignored the gazes and kept on. They made for the counter and approached the officer who was trying to sort out some files.

"Good morning sir", Emma stuttered without knowing what to say next. Should she just go straight to the point or wait for his response?

She was still contemplating this when the officer who had been staring at them replied in a neither harsh nor calm voice.

"Good morning. How may I help you young children? Are you in some kind of trouble or somethin'?"

At this moment, Emma broke down in tears and this was one thing she hated so much about herself. She didn't like looking pathetic in front of people but she couldn't help it. Aiden realized it was up to him to explain the situation.

"They took our brother away. Three guys..... They took him away", he was still trying to arrange his words. The officer who had been calmly staring at the kids, stood up and made for the telephone across the room. He picked it up and clicked on the dialler. The phone rang and the kids could hear a feminine voice at the other end. In no time, the call was over and the officer walked towards the counter. This time around he didn't return behind the counter but stood right next to them. He patted Aiden on the back and asked Emma to calm down, assuring them that all will be fine.

After what seemed like a minute or two, a young, pretty lady dressed in an elegant suit walked in.

'She must be in her late twenties', Emma thought.

She had a cheerful smile which made Emma and Aiden feel more relaxed. She stepped aside with the other officer and after a little chit-chat, she turned to the kids and led them to a desk. There, she sat with the kids opposite her. She had her note and a pen.

"Hello", she said, her voice as calm and peaceful as always,

"Good morning little ones. How're we doing today? I'm Miss Carmella by name", she continued.

Emma had stopped crying by now, and was still trying to figure out how perfect a human being could be.

"We're good", Emma replied, her voice still shaky.

"So what's going on? First, what're your names? Why are you here?" Miss Carmella went on.

"Uhmm... I'm Emma and my brother here is Aiden. This morning, our older brother was taken away by some bad guys", Emma said, still not sure if she should tell the whole story or wait till she was asked.

Miss Carmella put down something in her note then looked up at the kids.

"What is your brother's name and can you tell me how this happened? I just need a detailed explanation okay?" and she smiled.

Emma smiled back at her and went on,

"A'ight. So this morning, our brother, Marcus stopped by at a warehouse on his way to school to deliver a package. And that was when these guys held him and started beating him. The supposed package he was to deliver had fallen and split open earlier this morning so they refused to let him go until he told them what he saw in it. We had been watching them and we thought if we scared them away, they'd let our brother go".

She stopped to catch her breath and that was when Miss Carmella chipped in,

"So what did you do?", fixing her gaze on Aiden this time around. Aiden looked away.

"We ran over to a vehicle across the street and activated the security alarm", Emma paused for a second and gave Miss Carmella a guilty look. Maybe if she hadn't suggested that, their brother wouldn't be 'only God knows where'.

Miss Carmella smiled without saying a word.

There was a brief silence, then Miss Carmella spoke up,

"Listen guys, I know you're feeling guilty but it wasn't your fault. You acted your age, I didn't expect any less. I'm gonna be asking you guys a series of questions that'll help us out here, so do well to give a detailed answer, okay?"

Aiden and Emma nodded with their heads down.

"So where do you stay and what's the address of this supposed warehouse?" Carmella picked up her pen again to continue writing.

"We live on 28 Allen Street and the warehouse is just two streets away from ours", Emma replied. She was starting to realize that this was the point where their parents had to get involved.

"Okay..... And your parents, what about them? Do you live with your parents? Are they aware of the situation?" Carmella gave them a quizzical look.

"Yes, we stay with our parents but they're not aware that this has happened. We didn't bother going home to tell them. We just decided to head here", Emma kept on.

Miss Carmella went on with the writing.

"So what're your parent's names and can you give us their contact information? We need to reach out to them. You guys are way too young for this. Have you been noticing anything strange about Marcus lately?"

"Yes", Aiden chipped in for the first time since they sat down, "Marcus has always been a very nice brother. Our parents are so proud of him and he always takes his studies seriously. Until lately, I guess two weeks back, he suddenly started acting all funny. He hardly had time for his studies anymore and he'd rather spend the entire day flirting with girls. He also started putting on expensive dresses and wristwatches. Each time we approached him for some issues, he'd just yell at us and walk away. And this is something Marcus never does. He even got a tattoo".

Aiden was becoming emotional so he paused for a while.

Miss Carmella was moved by this, but she didn't let the kids see her weakness,

"A'ight, calm down. Can you describe the guys that took your brother away?"

"We didn't see them too well but from the little we saw and heard, their names were Keith, Mackey and uhm...." Emma paused to think for a while, " I don't think we heard the name of the third guy. He seemed like their boss. Keith is lanky, tall and has a tattoo all over his right arm. He has a scar below his right eye as well. Mackey isn't so tall, robust and just has this dull personality around him".

The last part made Carmella burst out in laughter.

"As for the third guy, he's dark, well built and if you ask me, I'd say he just gives off this kinda mafia personality", Emma continued thinking to make sure she didn't leave anything out.

"How old is Marcus and what kind of vehicle did these people drive off with?" Carmella continued writing.

"Marcus will be 18 this year and he's in 12th grade. We attend Beacon high school at 522 West 44th Street. They drove off in an old, black Chevrolet SUV", Aiden concluded.

"Thanks a lot for this information guys. This would really help a lot and I also want to commend you for your bravery. You did very well. One more thing, you'll have to leave your parent's names and contact information behind so that we can contact them. We assure you that we will do our best to rescue your brother. Nothing will happen to him, okay?"

Emma and Aiden felt relieved a bit. Miss Carmella had done a very great job here. A pen and a note were handed over to Emma and there, she put down their parent's contact details.

Miss Carmella saw them out of the station and made them promise her that they would go home straight, which they did.

Emma and Aiden walked home slowly, not sure of what they were going to do next. They were so exhausted and wished that the hands of time could be taken aback. Emma sat down on a pavement to rest a bit and Aiden just stayed by pacing around.

"What do you think is gon' happen now? Where could they be taking Marcus? What're they even doing to him at the moment", Aiden blurted out under a space of two seconds.

Emma had since been drowned in her own thoughts. She didn't know what to answer to Aiden.

"I'm going in search of Marcus", Emma said and got up quickly.

"What d'ya mean by that?" Aiden laughed and turned to gaze at Emma, "you think we're in a movie or somethin'? That's crazy", and he kept on laughing.

This got Emma really mad. She started walking away from Aiden and he ran after her.

"Emma, you really have to calm down. How can you go after three armed guys? How old are you? Listen, all that stuff we see in the movies ain't real. You have to get that thought outta ya....."

"Hey! Can you shut the fuck up? You just keep going on and on. I said I'm going in search of Marcus, you can stay back. That's your business but I don't want to hear one more scornful remark from you", and she stormed off, headed home.

Aiden realized how serious she was and he knew he couldn't hold her back.

When they both got home, Emma went in and no one was home. She ran up to her room and changed her dress. Then she packed a few things into her black backpack and came down the stairs. Aiden was confused on what to do. Was he going to stay back and watch his sister walk off to wherever or was he going to follow her, walk off to wherever? He just stood there, transfixed. Emma had made her way to the freezer and was packing some snacks.

"I'll come with", Aiden muttered, unsure.

Emma paused for a while, "are you coming or not?"

"I am", and he ran up the stairs to change and pack some clothes as well.

Afterwards, he made his way to their parent's room and searched for their phones.

He came down stairs to meet Emma who was already done packing some snacks and was writing what seemed like a note. It was actually a letter to their parents explaining everything and telling them not to be worried. How do you expect a parent not to be worried when all three of their children have gone missing on the same day?

The note read....

Hey mom and dad, we know reading this would be really really weird for you guys. We're sorry that we had to do this. Marcus was abducted this morning by some guys and we've been to the station to report but we don't know how long it'd take before they swing into action. So we've decided to go find him. We know this is so inappropriate but we can't help it. We're really sorry. We will return, it's a promise.

XOXO

Emma & Aiden.

Aiden handed Emma's phone over to her. She was amazed because the idea hadn't even crossed her mind yet. They both got their bikes from the garage and zoomed off to nowhere.

* * *

"Emma! Marcus! Aiden!.... Where have they all gone?" Mrs Kinney yelled as she got home to meet the house deserted. This was so unusual as she knew that Marcus was always home early to study followed by Emma who never jokes with her stomach. She walked into the kitchen and looked out into the garden but still no sign of the kids. She turned around to leave but her attention was drawn to the piece of paper sitting on the cabinet. She picked up the paper and scaled through it. She wanted to throw it into the bin but the last part which was signed by Emma caught her fancy. And that was when she decided to read what was in the note that Emma signed.

"What's this? Is this a joke or somethin'? Why would Emma write such rubbish?" She rushed out of the kitchen to fetch her phone and car keys and zoomed off.

* * *

"I think we've gotten far enough. Besides we shouldn't be running from kids", Keith said, lighting up a cigarette, "Hey Marcus, you care for some?" And he laughed scornfully.

Marcus was still trying to recover from the blow. He was soaked in his own blood.

"I need water", he cried.

Fregley moved over to him and poked his head roughly. This made Marcus shriek in pain.

"Keep calm kid. You'll only get water when you tell us what you saw. Quit joking with us", Fregley's voice echoed.

"I don't know what I saw", Marcus cried. He was getting uncomfortable being all tied up.

"This kid is more stubborn than I thought. Let's see how long he can keep up". It was Mackey this time around. He had just woken up from a nap and immediately made for a bottle of rum which was beneath his seat.