Chapter 1

GROUPCHAT

Y/N: "Guys? Are you okay?

"Please answer!"

(No response)

Jake: "They don't seem to contact us."

Y/N: "What are we supposed to do now?"

Jake: "First we need to remain calm. We cannot identify the situation without a clear mind."

Y/N: "How do you expect me to stay calm after this incident?!"

Jake: "Please listen to me."

Y/N: "Goddamnit."

"It's all my fault. I should have heard the asshole's warnings."

Jake: "It's not your fault, Y/N."

"We all wanted to carry on with the investigation and so did we."

Y/N: "No, it is. I should have heard him in the first place. Now everyone is in trouble."

Jake: "This is not the right time to negotiate, we need to take action immediately."

Y/N : "What do you propose we do then?"

Jake: "Well. I will see if I can do anything else with Hannah's phone."

Y/N: "Can I be useful in any way?"

Jake: "I believe the best you should do is to remain calm and see if anyone replies. I will message you on my new findings."

JAKE IS NOW OFFLINE

I confided in him. I was certain that he would be able to discover something. Something that would indicate that my friends are safe and that there was no need to worry. He always did. He is a hacker after all.

JESSY IS NOW ONLINE

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw these words on my phone screen. I quickly tapped to see the groupchat full of enthusiasm and responded.

Y/N: "Omg."

"Jessy!"

"Thank God, someone is finally online!"

JESSY IS NOW OFFLINE

Y/N: "You got to be kidding me."

A few minutes passed and I couldn't stop thinking about every single possibility. What if the man without a face hurt them? Was he there eavesdropping on their conversations and waiting for the right moment to strike? What was his motive? All these questions ran through my mind as I was desperately trying not to panic. I knew I was the one responsible for what had happened. This asshole had given me multiple warnings and threats, but no. I did nothing. Thought his words were just to frighten all of us and what we did was to carry on with the investigation. This plan was undoubtedly the worst...

I was losing my mind and was incapable to control my thoughts. I wanted to scream so loud that the whole universe would hear me. But I guess this had to be postponed...

It was my phone. My sweet little phone. I was ready to burst into tears from happiness, but unfortunately what I saw, caught me by surprise.

Unknown number. Seriously? That's the last thing I needed right now. Companies calling to inform you of a new discount or announce that you have won a gift. Trip to Hawaii? I wouldn't say no...

Oh,, wait. Unknown? Could it be the kidnapper?

I took a deep breath and slid the green icon to answer the call. The volume was full blast and I think I shitted my pants. I immediately threw my device to the other side of the room. Straight on the window to be exact.

Unknown: "This is it Y/N. This was the last warning. I gave you one last opportunity to give up on your research, yet didn't obey." I heard a voice talking from my phone.

"Where are my friends huh?! What did you do to them?" I demanded

Apparently, the man's voice was recorded, as he wouldn't respond to this and the other numerous questions I had asked.

Unknown: "You have to suffer the consequences. There is no way back now." He said in a stern voice

And with these words, he hung up. I noticed that my hands were shaking and tears were coming down my cheeks. This time it wasn't a threat. It was just a notice, with thousands of meanings.