Amari's residence...
The doorbell rang repetitively, what kind of unexpected guest could be this impatient?.. even after yelling 'hold on!' multiple times, this visitor refused to back down from such an annoying habit...
Guys?, I exclaimed in suprise on seeing the three familiar faces before me, as I opened the door, all looking rather impatient.. what are you three doing here and how did you know where I live?, I asked
Glad to see you too, Sebastian replied sarcastically
I would love to explain but I'm sure you already know the answers to both your questions Amari, Piper replied
she's right, I do
I led them in and into my room for our more 'private' discussion..good thing mum's still at work
So, Liana finally spoke, we were all confused at your latest finding, you were so exhilarated, we could barely hear you over the phone that we decided to come here, so could you please start over, she said taking deep breaths to mentally prepare herself.
Sophie sent me a picture of squad six, I began, she said it might help with our investigations, I paused a little, passing my phone to Liana, she stared at the picture visibly counting the number of people in it, then passed the phone to Sebastian who tilts it for Piper standing next to him
There are six of them? she wondered aloud
And only five cases, Sebastian added with a serious look
He has one last target, Liana suddenly said referring to Kai, the last living member of squad six, that's why he's been skipping school, he's probably searching for this guy! she exclaimed, pointing to the unknown face in the picture.
um... update from the cops, Sebastian said swiping through his phone,...they found Kai's house, he said looking from one face to the other
really, when? Piper asked
minutes ago and just like us, they found nothing, Sebastian replied reading through his phone, they believe Kai's on the run and they're after him right now
Good, that's good, Liana said walking to and fro, snapping her fingers then suddenly coming to a halt, faces us; now that Kai has the police to deal with, we have to get to the last member of squad six before he does.
we'll need a name and address, Piper adds
His name's Adrien according to Sophie, I replied, and I'll get his address from her
Okay let's go then, Sebastian said as they began to move
Amari?, aren't you coming, Piper asked noticing I remained in the same spot
I want to, I replied, but I'm...
You're coming with us Amari, Liana cut me off, tell your mom you're working on a project at Sebastian's or something
I already thought of that, I replied, but..
Go!, a voice suddenly said
We all turned towards the direction of the 'intruder',..Alaya? how long have you been standing there, I asked
three seconds?, She replied with a shrug,
that's not long enough to understand our discussion, right?
your friends need you so go, she repeated.
You know I'll be in trouble when mom gets back, I replied
I'll take care of mom, she insisted, if you haven't noticed, I have 'a way' with her, she said smugly, just make sure to text her before you leave.
I glanced at the others, all three of them giving me a 'knowing look'...I sighed, Alaya I won't have any tea for you later
I figured, she replied unsurprised, just make sure you're safe and promise you'll at least tell me some day
did my words this morning hurt? or is she just having a change of heart...
Okay, I replied
Alright it's 6pm already, let's go, Sebastian nudged as they began to file out
Thanks Alaya, I said putting on my jacket as I hurried behind them, 'I take back my take backs', I yelled with a wave
'weirdo', Alaya responded mid smiles.
On the road...
Sophie just replied my text, I announced
what'd she say? Sebastian asked from the driver's seat
Adrien's in college... Boulevard, I replied
ooh! Boulevard, impressive, have I ever told you guys that's my dream college? Piper commented right from the front seat.
that's a one hour plus drive, Sebastian exclaimed, man! this is gonna be a long ride
I turn to Liana sitting next to me at the back seat, she's had her head down the whole time, her body turned towards the window, her palm on her forehead,.... you're worried, I whispered to her
she took a deep breath before replying, I've been thinking, what if Kai gets to him first, or what if he already has?
He hasn't, I replied
how'd you know?, she asked
I asked Sophie to give Adrien a call briefing him about the whole situation, he's at a friend's place right now and let's just say he's expecting us, I told the whole group
well you could've said that the whole time, instead of leaving me to worry, Liana playfully punched me on the shoulder
no need to get violent, I said, rubbing my shoulder with a pout, causing her to smile a little.
Good call, Amari, Sebastian commented.
And what do we do when we find Adrien? Piper asked after a while.
We let the police know, Sebastian replied
But they probably don't even know about Adrien or what Kai's up to right now, Piper added, they're just gonna start with the questions.
True, I replied, how about we don't tell them then, let's just find Adrien, explain the whole thing to him, make sure he's somewhere safe, away from his usual spots for now then work with the police in finding Kai, how bout that?
Fine by me, Liana replied,
I think the silence throughout the drive confirmed we're all on the same page.
8:00pm... Boulevard College...
We're here, Sebastian says as we arrive the house
You're sure this is the address? Piper asked looking at the dimly lit building.
according to what Sophie sent me, this is Adrien's friend, Zack's apartment and they should both be here
We stand around as Sebastian knocks a couple of times receiving no response.
knock one more time, piper nudges
you said that three knocks ago, I think we've all established the fact that noone's here, Sebastian replied visibly exhausted,.. makes sense since he drove all the way here..
So where is he?, Amari you said he'll be here, it was Liana's turn to complain
He was supposed to be ,I defended, Sophie told me he was staying at Zack's place tonight, obviously they both left at some point to God knows where
So what now, Sebastian asked already leaning on an equally tired Piper
Amari, you have his number right? Piper suddenly said
Yeah, and I've tried calling, he's not picking up, I replied
Check his social media for updates, she suggested, his insta, Facebook, X, whatever you find access to, Sebastian help Amari with the details in his profile, she added shoving Sebastian away from her tired shoulders
8:20pm.....
I found something, I announced,as we all gathered round, it's a picture Adrien posted an hour ago, that's Zack next to him according to the caption, I added
Look at the background, Piper hinted, zooming in, it looks like they're at a party or something,.. we all glance at each other
May I, Liana gestures by opening her palms, while I hand her my phone... Piper's right, she spoke up after fiddling through a few pages, they're at a party and that's the address, she added, copying it to my phone.
How dumb could he be!, Piper exclaims, his life's in danger and he goes ahead to party!
Let's just go there and make sure we find him, Liana says walking towards the car, Amari please keep trying his number, she added
um..you guys, Sebastian began alerting us, the cops suspended their hunt, they figured out Kai went on a road trip which he'll soon be back from since he left in a hurry, considering all his things are still in place,...also they suspected a break in at Kai's this afternoon and would be investigating that too,...do you think they'll be able to pin it back to us? he asked nervously
That's besides the point Sebastian! I huffed, Kai took a road trip which means he's here... in Boulevard!
And the police already gave up for today, having no idea about Adrien right now, Liana said facepalming
Meaning it's up to us to stop Kai! Piper added, we need to get to that party.
Can we maybe stop for drinks first? Sebastian asked earning a glare from each of us, as we walked towards the car,....what? he asked, I'm thirsty, I really am.
How about you drive us to the party and then you can have as many drinks as you want, Piper replied, causing Sebastian to run towards the driver's side
we're not really letting him drink as he likes at a college party right? I confirmed
No,....Of course not, Liana and Piper replied simultaneously before Sebastian got in and drove off.