Chapter 4

"There's something wrong about him. He was just too kind. I'm telling you, something eerie, something creepy about him." I say.

"Right, it's creepy that he was kind. Nothing weird about you saying that.. Wake up Christopher! You should be happy that you're not missing like Sarah!" Diana says.

"I'm not answering if you call me Christopher." I say. Diana knows I hate it when I'm called Christopher. It may wrong for a 16-year-old to have such tantrums, but, I have these tantrums, and if I didn't, I wouldn't be me.

"Fine Chris! You know what I mean." She says.

"Yes. Um, well, um, we're right in suspecting him, aren't we? I got a clue." Conner says.

"Then tell us about it!" I say.

"Yes, well, the car went towards Flying Springs. After that, it just vanished. No one knows where it went after that." he says.

"Hmm. What did you say the number plate was?" I ask.

"It was 41 tr U15 m."

"What're you gonna do with it?" Diana asks, watching me scribble down the number on a piece of paper.

"I'm gonna use my own methods of investigating." I say. "I should get to work. Bye Diana, bye Conner." saying this, I end our meeting at Diana's house and leave for home.

I walk home quietly, kicking against the stones in my path. I see one place making all kinds of forgeries for people from driving licenses to famous paintings. I walk down further and see one man roaming around in a shady way. I squint to study him better, he's Checkmate! I approach him and ask, "How did the rent-a-bike close so early today?"

"It's not closed, my shift just ended, forever." he replies.

"Forever? Does that mean you're fired?" I ask.

"Yes. Someone, saw me showing you TNT we're using for the extermination. I told you, I wasn't supposed to show you that."

"Yes. Well, um, what type of bugs do you exterminate?"

"Any type, really." he says.

"So even a metaphorical bug could be exterminated?" I ask.

"Yes. I don't work for these people anymore. Now that I don't, I can tell you everything. My ex-boss, Marsulti Nunoi Imeto, is planning an extermination of humans. Soon, nothing will be left in this town. The bombings are getting publicity. It's like a massacre. The last one killed 20 and injured 5. Please save yourself before it's too late. It's too late for me to get out of this mess, please don't make it too late for yourself." he says, his eyes full of sadness.

"hmm. I know you kidnapped Sarah. I'm not investigating what happened to Zach, though I would love to know what happened to him, I'm investigating Sarah's disappearance. She's my best friend in school. I just need to know what happened, or where she is right now. I'm not backing out until I get all the answers." I say.

"I can't tell you that. You'd be in some serious danger then. But, I need you to do me a favor. Please stay away from the rent-a-bike. Ditch this investigation. They're already tracking you. As we're talking, there's a person spying on you. Don't turn to look at him. I'm very sorry for this." he says, and clutches my mouth and pulls me into a headlock. He whispers in my ear, "I'm very sorry. The spy will back off for some time now. Just nod your head." I follow his instructions and nod, slowly.

I think about struggling loose, but his hold is too strong. Slowly, his grip tightens. Now, I realise that I can't move, at all. And then, nothing. Just darkness.