Desmond and I keep trudging through the forest.
We arrive at the edge of Creek Park.
It’s on the south end of town.
And it’s usually pretty empty.
Emma
Oh god. I’m running out of time!
He won’t even look at me.
Desmond
Then tell me what’s going on!
And besides, we’re alone.
How would the kidnapper ever find out that I told Desmond the truth?
Emma
This morning, I got a message that Nick was kidnapped.
Emma
It said that I needed to find him by noon…
Emma
Or the kidnapper would kill him.
Desmond
How do I know you’re telling me the truth?
Emma
Seriously, Desmond?!
Emma
I wouldn’t lie to you.
Desmond
It’s just…in class, we’re friends.
Desmond
But when we aren’t in there…
Desmond
When we’re walking in the halls and stuff…
Desmond
It’s like I don’t exist.
Desmond
You spend all your time with Nick.
Desmond
That doesn’t make me feel any better.
Desmond
Because I’m in love with you.
The silence is overwhelming.
Emma
I care about you too.
Emma
But Desmond…only as a friend.
Desmond
Could we ever be anything more?
Desmond
I mean like, after we save Nick.
Desmond
Say you two don’t stay together forever.
Desmond
And you become single again—
Desmond
What’s wrong with me?
Emma
You’re wonderful, Desmond.
Emma
But I just don’t have those kinds of feelings for you.
Desmond looks ready to cry.
Desmond
It’s not your fault.
Emma
Look, Desmond, you don’t have to keep helping me.
Emma
But I really hope you will.
Emma
Because this is hard.
Emma
And I could really use a friend right now.
But then he forces a smile.
Desmond
Okay. I’ll keep helping.
Emma
And you believe me when I say I’m not guilty?
There’s sincerity in his eyes.
I pause, blowing out a breath.
Emma
Because I think we have a problem.
Emma
We left the motel room without finding a clue.
Emma
And we can’t go back there.
Emma
The police are definitely swarming the place.
Desmond
Hmm, that’s true.
Desmond
Maybe I could sneak in there on my own?
Desmond
What about the note?
Desmond
Could that be a clue in itself?
I recite the words from the note…
Emma
This game is the kind that can never be won.
The words from the note keep playing through my mind.
Something seems so familiar about them.
Suddenly, I realize what it is.
Emma
It’s a quote from a historical nonfiction book!
Emma
This obscure one about Eliza Shaw.
Desmond
Come on. You know you’re a bigger history nerd.
Emma
Eliza Shaw was a famous spy from the Revolutionary War.
Emma
I did an essay on her last year.
Emma
There’s only one copy of her biography in this whole town…
Emma
And it’s at the public library.
Emma
So we better head over there.
Emma
Maybe it’s in the book!
But just as we are about to head off, my phone buzzes.
Kidnapper
It’s 11 o’clock 👯♀️
We arrive at the library.
It’s unlikely anyone will see me here.
Desmond
Where is the book?
Emma
The basement archives.
I head towards the basement with Desmond by my side.
We pass by a reference desk.
As we do, I hear an announcement playing from a television.
News Anchor
In local news, Dayton High School star quarterback Nick Brown has been abducted.
News Anchor
The prime suspect is his girlfriend, Emma Johnson.
News Anchor
Police are asking locals to keep their eyes open as the hunt for her continues…
I grab Desmond’s arm and pull him forward with me as I speed up.
I anxiously glance back at the reference desk.
There is a woman working behind it.
I’m panicking as Desmond and I reach the entrance to the basement.
We’re about to take the stairs down.
He motions to the bathroom.
Desmond
I have to pee really badly…
Desmond
I’ve had to go for like an hour.
Desmond
I can’t hold it in any longer.
Desmond
Not my fault I have the world’s tiniest bladder.
For a moment, I’m almost unaware of the hellish situation I’m in.
Then reality sinks back in…
Emma
Meet me in the basement.
The basement it is dusty and dark.
Searching through a maze of bookshelves…
But eventually, I find the book.
I start skimming through it, searching for the page with the quote.
And then, I hear footsteps coming towards me.
He looks nervous, though.
Desmond
This place is super creepy, Emma.
Desmond
What if the kidnapper is down here?
My anxiety rises at the thought.
It’s definitely possible.
But I brush away the comment.
Emma
Guess I better find the next clue quickly.
I go back to skimming through the book.
I find the page with the quote on it.
“This game is the kind that can never be won.”
I don’t see a clue written anywhere.
Desmond
What’s the next clue?
I can see the wheels turning in Desmond’s head.
Desmond
Emma, what if this is a trap?
Desmond
What if the kidnapper lured us down here for a reason?
Desmond
Maybe this whole game is rigged…
Desmond
You know, so that we lose.
They’re coming from outside.
Above us, we hear shouting.
The police have entered the building.
The footsteps pound toward the entrance to the basement.
The police must be close.
Desmond
Maybe we should just turn ourselves in…
Desmond
If we explain things to the police, maybe they could help us find Nick.
Emma
I know a secret way out!
I sprint down the aisles.
Desmond struggles to follow.
The police enter the basement.
Telling us to stop running.
It’s an old door that leads from the basement to a back alley.
But I hear a scream come from behind me.
He must have been caught.
I reluctantly hurry out the door.
Not wanting to leave Desmond behind.
And I sprint off as fast as I can…
