Darkened Soul

PART 11

John2

The bell had just rang on a quiet, summer afternoon. John was walking home along his usual route down the hill. It was then that he noticed that he was being followed; a white van had turned out of the street opposite the road.3

John quickened his pace, turning his walk into a jog. The van also sped up until it was right next to him.4

All John had the chance to scream “Hel-!” before he was knocked unconscious.5

..........6

John woke up in a dark room with a pounding headache. He tried to move his hands, but they were tied behind his back; then he realised that he was tied to a chair7

. 8

“Good morning, boy!” The voice said the word ‘boy’ with such hatred that it made John jump.9

“Wh-who’s there?” John stuttered.10

“You don’t need to know, just relax and this will all be over soon.”11

John’s legs started to shake as he fainted.12

..........13

He awoke in a hospital with his best friend Max standing above him. 14

“What happened?” John asked15

“Well, it’s a long story.” Max answered.16

PART 217

Alex18

The radio blared, the trees sped past, and dogs barked in the distance as Alex sped up the road toward the police station. Alex was just about to turn when a young boy ran across the road and yelled for him to stop.19

Alex slammed the brake and the car screeched to a stop, just in time.20

“What do you think you’re doing?!” He yelled out the window.21

“Please, you have to help my friend!” The child cried.22

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked, suddenly interested. 23

“I was on my way home from school and I was planning to surprise my friend when I saw him being kidnapped!” The child cried.24

“What’s your name?” Alex asked as he motioned for the kid to get in.25

“Max.” The child answered when he all set. 26

“Okay, Max; take me to your friends last known location.” This seemed to confuse the kid, so Alex simply asked “Take me to where you saw him last.”27

Max nodded and pointed to the side of the road. 28

“Okay, now where did the car go?” Alex asked. Max thought for a moment and answered, “It turned into that street.” then pointed toward a street that was opposite the car.29

“Okay, you get out and I’ll check it out.” Alex told him. Max opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it and got out.30

Alex sped around the corner and stopped in front of a house. This house was the only one with a white van in its driveway.31

Alex was about to get out and walk toward the door when gunshots rang out and the windscreen exploded.32

He cursed under his breath as he got out of the car and leapt behind it.33

Alex keyed his mike and screamed “This is unit 333, I need back up; I’m taking heavy fire! Possible hostage situation!”34

PART 335

Max36

There was no way in hell Max was just going to ‘leave’, so he ran into the backyard of the house and began to climb the tree.37

Just then he heard gun shots and shattering glass, so he doubled his pace.38

When he reached the top he climbed onto the roof and entered the house through the window.39

He could hear heavy breathing and crying in the next room.40

Max crept down the hallway, listening intently for any indication that he was being followed.41

Hearing nothing, he opened the door, flinching when it creaked open.42

He could not believe the state that John was in; his face was bloodied, his hands were tied behind his back and his feet were chained to the legs of the chair he was tied to.43

Max rushed forward toward his friend, unaware of the man that was behind him.44

PART 445

Alex46

“This is unit 333, I need back up; I’m taking heavy fire! Possible hostage situation!”47

“Roger that, triple three. Reinforcement’s incoming, hang tight.”48

The tire beside Alex was shot and started to release air as Alex answered “Roger that, over and out.49

He heard police sirens in the distance and cursed when a bullet hole appeared where his head was a second ago.50

He raised his gun and yelled “I am willing to listen to your demands!”51

Just then, the door opened and Alex cursed when he saw a man pushing Max. The man was holding him by his arm and had a gun to his head.52

“Let the kid go!” Alex yelled uncertainly.53

“Not until I get what I want!” The man yelled back.54

Alex could have sworn he saw Max wink.55

“What do you want?” Alex asked.56

Before the man could answer, Max turned suddenly and punched him in the gut.57

EPILOGUE58

Max prayed to the heavens when he saw John open his eyes.59

“What happened?” John asked.60

“Well, it’s a long story.” Max answered61