3 Lost

The sun shone brightly in my face as I regained my consciousness. I looked to my right expecting to see Ana there but, her side was empty. I knew this was normal but: something told me that I should look for her. I got up gradually and, I looked around the apartment but, she wasn't present anywhere. I walked into the living room since: it was the only room I hadn't checked but, she still was nowhere in sight.

Suddenly, I remembered what happened yesterday. Ana went missing and, the police couldn't find her. How could I forget? I started to worry about Ana, so I reached over for my phone to call the police about the investigation.

"Hello?" I hesitantly said.

"Hi, who is this?" A young woman with a squeaky voice spoke.

"This is Josephine Harder. My niece Ana went missing yesterday and, I wanted to know how the investigation was going." I said, trying not to sound like a fool.

"Oh, umm...I am sorry to say this." The woman pauses "The police don't have enough evidence and, there haven't been any sightings. I am so sorry." The woman apologized. I hang up and, put my phone down; I felt like, this was my fault. I should have paid more attention to Ana. "Damn it!" I groan. I usually say that before I cry. I tried my best to hold back my tears but: it wasn't helpful. I laid down the couch and started to sob. I knew that Ana was my responsibility but, it was hard to, look after her, especially, since I had to study and work. My life was simple before Karen disappeared. I laid there as still as a statue while I cried.

"RING!RING!" I quickly get up and reach for my phone. My best friend Fatima was calling I haven't seen her for a while since she is in Pakistan attending a wedding. I sat there hesitantly, for a while thinking if I should pick up or not. I wipe my tears and decide to pick up the phone.

"Hey, Jo! I just wanted to tell you that I will be back by next week!" Fatima exclaims.

"That's great," I say trying to hold my tears back. "Hey Fatima, I am doing something so can I call you back?"

"Sure! We'll talk later!" Fatima hangs up. I let out a sigh and I decide that I should go for a walk to freshen up. I put on a sweater and some sneakers. I take my purse and, I leave my apartment. I make sure to lock the door and, I walk to the elevator. When I reach the ground floor, I look around expecting to see Ana but: I didn't. I leave the building and take a right and, I start walking straight.

After 30 minutes, I was in a secluded part of town: I didn't worry because I always came here when I was sad or confused. I continued to walk straight ahead until I heard something behind me. I instinctively turn around to see what it is but: there was nothing. I thought that it was the wind and, I proceeded to walk forward.

"Jo! Stop!" An eerily familiar voice yelled. I abruptly stopped and, a truck drove past me inches away from my face. If that voice didn't call out to me I would have, died. How did that person know my name? I look around but: no one was there: I felt confused and scared and, I knew that I had to go back home now. I instantly turned around and started to jog the way I came from but: I was in an unfamiliar environment.

Frantically, I ran around the perimeter but, I couldn't find a route I knew. I was lost. I took my phone out of my purse and, I started to dial numbers of people I knew but: there was no service. I began to worry more and more I was lost in a town that many people didn't live in anything could happen to me. My heart hammered in my chest and, I started to shiver. I looked around but; there was no one in sight.

Before I could do anything, I heard the screeching again getting closer and closer.