I'm scared to death when I hear a buzz nearby. I scan the room and I see that it's Lawrence's phone! I cautiously move towards it, and the brightness makes me squint. The time appears on the screen. 10:27PM. Day 1, almost down. Two more to go.
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrfJIZNZim
The phone buzzed because it received a text from a blocked number.
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi4oHpXP4s
«If you want to save your friend, you must obey my commands. I'm sure we'll get along fine… Jade. Reply within 2 minutes, or else you'll hear the gunshot.»
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gsrLFIxTt
As I read the words on the screen before my eyes, my back slides against a nearby wall. And I ponder.
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOoNW1XNem
10:29PM. Is it too late? I scramble to type as fast as I can:
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF20UnCUUgn
«If you hurt him, you'll go back to jail.»
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CVjucrELA
A nearby candle flickers. It illuminates the clock above it.
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr5cFuMU9S
I've always loved clocks. It's so similar to friendship. So similar to what I have—er, had…— with Edward. The second hand moves the fastest, so it represents endurance, because it's the quality you'll need the most. You'll always have ups and down, so you'll always need to endure the downs, the arguments, the "separating factors"...
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91VM05vvKd
The minute hand doesn't move as quick, but it still moves constantly. This hand equals forgiveness. It's not everyday that you need to forgive a person, but it still is a quality you'll need to master to have everlasting friendships.
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDxA4awRmP
Finally, the hour hand is love. The hour hand moves slowly, just like love grows overtime. Slowly. But it's there. You might not realize the hour hand moved until the hour changes. You might not realize you've come to love someone until the circumstances change. Like if that person is brutally beaten to death for standing up for a person being bullied. Yeah.
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FGGGon9NH
Buzz.
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFBJThDGIy
«Who's going to tell? You? I can easily shoot a bullet right through your head, little one. So careful you don't step on my toes. Now, do you agree to be my temporary slave?»
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmR4J96tjD
No. Of course not. Me? A slave to save someone I just met?
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyxpNjQdiY
Buzz.
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PNqOX0NdZ
«I'm running out of patience.»
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxypOoHcoFX
This is going to be a long weekend...
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHh9qcIVAa
«As long as Lawrence's safety is guaranteed... Then I agree to be your slave...»
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskvbBiDzQ2
What kind of slave will I be?
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc33kCKmhGo
«Great. Your first task starts tomorrow. Remember, Lawrence's and your lives are on the line.»
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc7hkvd1Aw
11:04PM. I go to one of the reclining armchairs, hoping I wake up alive.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob8RkG0lEQ
