Head for the police.
"What? What is it? Why did you stop?" Barbra inched closer
to you as she questioned you.
"Nothing. It's just...I've seen one too many movies for me to
think that this is a good idea. I'm sure it's nothing but maybe we
should head to the police station." Your gaze is still fixated
on the house.
"Yeah...maybe you're right." Even as she is speaking these
words Barbra is already heading back towards her bike.
The ride to the station is a quiet and quick one. Arriving there you
head to the front desk and get the attention of an older male officer.
His name is Grady, his stern features and graying hair lead you to
realize that he may not believe your story. After some convincing he
loads you and Barbra into a squad car and along with another officer
you head to the old castle.
Pulling up the long driveway again, you feel only slightly safer then
you did when you left. Glancing to Barbra you see that she is getting
nervous again. After getting out of the car you show the officers
where Dave left his bike.
Although much to your surprise the bike is gone. You try feverishly
to explain to the officers that it �was there�, yet they are both
quick to dismiss your accusations. The sun has begun to go down, and
in the waning light you notice thin tire tracks that lead around to
the back of the castle.
Just then Officer Grady received a call concerning Dave.
"Yep.....uh huh....ok thanks." Officer Grady turns to you
and Barbra with a smile that betrays his stern face. "Turns out
your friend�s mother just contacted the station. Dave called her
worried that you might have gone to the police, apparently he's fine
and is staying with his friend Dante."
"But...we don't know anyone named Dante� Barbra stammers out,
feeling betrayed that she would not know one of Dave's friends.
"Look you two...your friends fine, it's getting dark, and I'm
done being on this wild goose chase. Now do you want a lift home, or
can you find that yourselves?" His smile had faded and Officer
Grady's gruff personality reared its head.
"No. We're fine." You look towards the ground, he's a cop
and you don't want to annoy him but you hate to be chastised.
"Yeah...thanks" Barbra sarcastically calls to them as they
head for their car. "I guess we should head home."
"You don't really believe that...do you? Something happened to
Dave." You sound confident in your statement as you indicate to
the tire tracks and then look to the front door. "If they won't
help Dave then we have to."
Barbra nods to this sheepishly; a pang of guilt knots her stomach as
she realizes they have to make a decision.
Staring up at the menacing castle you have a sudden surge of fear and
common sense, which causes you to stop moving towards the castle.
Barbra halts her steps, as she looks around afraid of whatever she
thinks you see that she does not.
