That was hours ago. I had driven all night using just the map as my guide. I was tempted atleast 50 times to look at the maps on my phone, a 100 times to tell Lilly and the others that I was headed to Duskwood and to sit tight and probably a million times to tell Jake, to explain and apologize to him about my decision. But no, it was all very risky. I could only imagine how angry Jake would be with this. Not to mention, that he was already in a spot to secure himself. In all the time I had known Jake I was quietly wishing he wouldn't text me because I was on the brink of revealing everything. On the other hand I aggressively hoped he would text so that I could atleast calm my nerves. I could also hear him saying, "Ri don't worry. Richy is fine. Everything will be alright as long as we do it together. "Now here I was trying to figure out what to do next. I was almost close to Duskwood but I didn't know what was my next step. Where should I go? A text alert jolted me from my thoughts again. It was Jessy.
Jessy: Ri?
Ri: HI Jessy.
Jessy: Ri what happened to Richy?
( I did not know how much to tell her. Partly because I really did not know and Partly because if I told her only the things I saw, She would assume the wrost. Phil's arrest had already taken a huge toll on her. )
Ri: Jessy I saw Richy get attacked. But all you need to know is we will do everything to find him. Ok?
I wish I had believed it as much.
Jessy: No I checked the Garage's address book. I did not see any information. But ofcourse it could not be there as they are his friends not customers .
Ri: Yeah that is possible. Did you speak to the other? Did they go to the forest?
Jessy: I hope so Ri. Cleo, Lilly and Thomas went there. Dan wanted to go as well but you know he is still in the hospital, they wouldn't discharge him.
Ri: They are fine right Jessy?
Jessy: I hope so Ri. Cleo, Lilly and Thomas went there. Dan wanted to go as well but you know he is still in the hospital, they wouldn't discharge him.
Ri: Yes I understand. I can almost see Dan going full guns blazing to save Richy.
Jessy: Ri I feel horrible. I really thought Richy ratted out to the cops about Phil. I.....I told him I quit. I told him I didn't really know him as much I thought I did before.
ofcourse I knew this. The spymode had enabled me to view their exchange. Also, Richy had already told me this right after.
Ri: Yes, Richy told me about it. Jessy don't beat yourself about it. Richy understands. He has no malice for you. Let's you focus on getting him back ok?
Jessy: OK. it's funny you know.
Ri: What is?
Jessy: Richy telling you about his conversation with me. just days ago he was talking to me about you.
Ri: He was?
Jessy: Yeah. He likes you, you know. A lot. He seems different when he talks about you. Phil inviting you here kinda pissed him off more than I thought. Maybe he wanted to invite you first.But he is shy you know.
If only I could tell that I wasn't that far away.
Ri: I know he is shy. Did you find anything about Phil's arrest?
I abruptly changed the topic. Reading about Richy in the past tense really put me in a bad spot.
Jessy: Nothing yet. Hang on looks like the others are texting on the group chat.
Multiple buzzes drew my attention to the group.
GROUP CHAT
Lilly: So we went to the forest but we couldn't find Richy.
Thomas: Honestly I don't even know if we were searching in the right place.
Cleo: Yes since we don't even know where the cabin was located.
Jesse: I couldn't find anything in the address book either about the cabin.
Dan: See you guys definitely need me.
Lilly: 😒
Ri: Jessy is there a possibility that Richy's mom may know about this friend's cabin?
Jessy: I don't know but I can check.
Cleo: I just wish Richy had texted us the address before going there.
Thomas: Richy did mention that he would send the address to you Ri.
Did he do that or not?
Ri: No he didn't send it to me.
Lilly: Was he texting you or did he call out of the blue Ri?
Ri: Yes we were texting and he heard a scream and he said he was looking into it.
Cleo: Did he mention seeing someone else? Maybe who attacked him?
Ri: No he did not. I think he was caught by surprise as well.
Dan: You know it could be the Crow man.
Ri: The man without a face?
Dan: Yeah maybe that's why he didn't say anything about how he looked.
Jessy: 🤦♀️
Thomas: Really Dan? Right now you want to joke?
Dan: Hey I'm just saying.
Cleo: Please don't say
Ri: Hang on. Maybe he has a point.
Cleo: Not you too Ri.
Ri: No hear me out. Maybe the attacker was masked that's why Richy didn't know who it was.
Thomas: Ri how did Richy look?
( There it was. The question I dreaded. But I couldn't put off the question any longer. )
Ri: He fell to the ground and I saw him bleeding... from his mouth.
Cleo: That's horrible
Lilly: Poor Richy.
Dan: God that is terrifying.
Jessy: 😔Poor Richy.
Thomas: Unbelievable
Ri: Guys we have to focus on finding Richy. Right now we need to believe that he is fine and he really needs us alright?
Lilly: I think Ri is right. So what do we do next?
Ri: We need to tell the cops.
Jessy: Really?
Thomas: Huh
Dan: Brilliant
Cleo: I agree
Ri: Look guys we don't have the resources to search the forest. We have to tell the cops.
Jessy: I don't think cops will be much help Ri.
Thomas: OK guys let's calm down. I see what Ri says but we need to clear our heads a bit. we all exhausted. Let's re-group in a while and discuss. Ok?
Ri: OK but soon.
Cleo: OK. I'll try and find out from my mom if there are any nearby cabins in the forest.
Dan: OK Tommy boy.
Lilly: Fine. I have to head to the motel. My shift just started.
Jessy: OK guys. I'll go to Richy's mom's place and try to figure out about the cabin.
Ri: Jessy just don't alarm her ok?
Jessy: Ok
( Guilty feelings washed over me. Hiding about me being close to Duskwood was one thing but hiding from a mother that her son was missing was a new low for me. I hoped that we could find some more information before we told his mother. But now I had somewhere else to be. i searched for the location of the place on the map. Seems like a straight-ish way. I folded the map, started the car and drove in the direction of the place.
Almost 45 minutes I pulled my car in the parking lot of the motel. The motel looked even more dilapidated than I had expected. I pulled my jacket closer and covered my head with the hood, covered my face with a scarf and walk into the reception area. Or something that looked like a reception area. There was just a desk where I saw Lilly's head. She was seated behind the desk. She stood up suddenly as she heard the bell ring that had alerted her to my entrance. "Welcome to the Duskwood motel. How can I help you"? Lilly asked. I slipped her the piece of paper that I held in my hand and quickly turned around and left the motel. I could hear her saying, "Ma'am " or something. But I did not wait. I only hoped that she would take the note seriously. I clearly remembered what was written on it.)
Dear Lilly,
It's me Ri. I know you would have a million questions and you would not probably believe what is written but please trust me. I cannot talk to you in the motel so please meet me near the location where J had us work together. Please Please Please Please don't tell J or the others about this.
( I drove to the location where Jake had left us clues after he had left. I didn't know if Lilly would follow the instructions. I half expected an angry text from Jake asking me why I was in Duskwood or worse Lilly bringing the others to meet me. I waited for 20mins. Weird thoughts started running through my mind. Lilly probably thinks it's a hoax. Best case scenario she ignores it Worst case scenario she calls the cops. The thought of Lilly calling the cops scared me to my core. I had almost decided to run and leave when I saw her walking cautiously towards me. Her expression was completely suspicious.
TO BE CONTINUED...