Nick
Please call me back, Emma.
Nick
I’m sorry about what I said, babe.
As I’m rereading through my boyfriend Nick’s texts, he calls me.
But I send the call straight to voicemail.
I’m not about to answer him.
Not after our fight last night.
And not when I have to get ready for school.
When you’ve been voted "Best Eyes" AND "Best Hair"…
I need to meet my classmates' expectations.
It’s not like today is just any day.
It’s the first day of Homecoming Weekend.
Tug my short skirt into place.
And slip a cute jean jacket over my blue shirt.
I give myself a once-over in the mirror.
Then I check the time — 8:05.
I arrive at Dayton High School.
The only high school in my town.
I enter the building and rush down the hall.
Just 5 minutes until my first class starts.
And I haven’t even dropped off my stuff at my locker.
My friends are all hanging out in the main hallway.
The best place to be seen.
But I just blow them a kiss.
My best friend, Becky, is standing in the middle of the circle.
She’s also wearing a jean jacket, and preens when she sees mine.
I nod, forcing a smile as I keep moving down the hall.
I’m thinking about my boyfriend Nick…
It’s hard not to, when his picture is on the posters lining the walls.
He’s the star quarterback of our football team.
And the big football game is tonight.
Normally I’d be so excited.
But all I can think about is the fight we had last night.
Do I even love him anymore?
Does he actually love me?
It’s painful to imagine moving on.
Nick’s been the center of my universe for so long…
I notice something strange the second I reach it.
Then lock is already unlocked.
Normally, I’m careful to close it before I leave school.
But did I leave it like that yesterday?
Written on the back of the photo is a terrifying message…
“If you want him to live, call me. ASAP. Tell no one.”
A phone number is written underneath.
I quickly shove the photo in my pocket.
The call goes straight to voicemail.
Looking for a secluded place to hide while I’m on the phone.
I reach the janitor’s closet.
I open the door and get inside.
But right now, I don’t even care.
The person who wrote me the message picks up.
The voice is deep and distorted.
It’s impossible for me to tell if it’s a man or woman.
They must be using a voice changer.
Kidnapper
Maybe I’ll let you find out.
Kidnapper
But you’re going to have to work for it.
Emma
How do I know this isn’t some sort of prank?
Kidnapper
Did the photo seem real to you?
Emma
It could’ve been photoshopped.
And then the kidnapper holds the phone up to Nick.
Emma
I’m calling the police!
The kidnapper returns to the phone.
Kidnapper
You don’t want to do that.
Kidnapper
If you tell anyone about what’s going on…
Kidnapper
I’ll kill him immediately.
Emma
What do you want from me?!
Kidnapper
I want you to play my game.
Kidnapper
You have until noon to find Nick.
Kidnapper
And if you can’t do that…
I grip the phone tighter.
Kidnapper
The first clue is hidden in the basement of your school.
Kidnapper
In the bin of spare footballs.
Kidnapper
It’s already 8:45.
We’re playing the Oldtown Panthers tonight.
They’re our rivals in all sports, but especially football.
Maybe someone from Oldtown kidnapped Nick?
I think this over as I sneak out of the janitor’s closet.
I’m struggling to keep myself together.
Overwhelmed by what’s happening.
But I hear footsteps behind me.
Hall Monitor
May I see your hall pass?
I sprint for the stairwell.
The hall monitor chases after me.
Luckily, I’m fast — a track all-star.
I enter the stairwell, and run down a few flights…
Then sprint through the door that leads to the basement.
I shut the door behind me.
I listen for any sign of the hall monitor.
But I don’t hear anything.
I hurry into the dark, cluttered basement.
Searching for the bin with the spare footballs.
Eventually, I reach the bottom.
And I discover a sealed envelope.
Written on the front: “To Emma, XOXO.”
There’s a piece of paper inside.
It’s written in some sort of code.
But I think I know who can.
I see the technology room up ahead.
It’s a room where the latest tech is available for student use.
And, it’s where I know he’ll be.
The boy who might be able to help me out.
A text from the kidnapper—
Kidnapper
It’s 9 o’clock 😀
Computers line the walls.
But sure enough, I see him.
Thick framed glasses are perched on his nose.
And though I’d never say this out loud…
Behind those lenses, he’s kind of cute.
We’ve done a few class projects together.
He’s currently sipping from a water bottle with a periodic table on it.
I mean, I guess we’re friends.
And gives me a warm smile.
Desmond
Happy Homecoming!
Struggling to hold back tears.
I hand him the paper with the coded list.
Emma
Can you decipher this?
Desmond looks it over carefully.
Desmond
Where did you get this?
Emma
Can you decipher it or not?
Desmond
It’s written in Beta-Seven.
Desmond
That’s a computer coding language.
He pulls out a pen and begins deciphering it.
I can tell it’s a struggle for him.
He works through the list.
Eventually his expression shifts to…
