I felt the stuffy bulge in my throat as anxiety hit me. I drained almost half of the water in one go. We stood in silence for a few seconds. I took deep breaths to steady my heartbeat. What type of drama did I get myself into?

"Essentially, the issue is that his stepmother has some sort of mental condition because, sure, this woman is not normal. She convinced herself that Emery was after her life or that he wanted to literally get rid of her from his father's life. Who would come up with that?" She shook her head in frustration. "She told him that she would make him miserable on a few occasions before he could lay his hand on her first. She went off with some crazy theories, but only when they were alone. Never when his father was home. I think Emery saw something coming, and because of this, he left that note. That's my guess to answer your question."

"So he never told his father, or did he, but his father didn't believe him? Why couldn't he move out or anything like that?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had so many questions in my head, but she wasn't eager to respond to them at all.

"I don't know why he didn't. I don't know much more than that. He sent me the address on Instagram and said to come after eleven at night. I have no other details. He didn't respond to any of my messages afterwards. I need your help to go get him. Then hide him until the situation is clear and he is safe." She lay just a bit closer to the table, slowly talking while staring right into my eyes when she asked for my help.

"Why? We should call the police or at least his father. He must be worried because, in the end, his child is missing." I moved forward in my seat as my posture tensed.

"I don't know what she told everyone or where Emery is. We should make sure he is okay first. Help him to get out of there." I could see her getting annoyed as I spoke. I assumed she didn't like being questioned. Her posture said it all as if she was ready to fight me anytime. I stayed silent, thinking over all the information I got to know, and it wasn't easy to process, logically accept it and still be able to think clearly.

I looked at her, as she was fidgeting with the empty glass in her hands. "So, will you help me or not? His family doesn't know you, so they won't be looking for him at your place. As you already know, they know me. That means I need someone to help me go there. Someone they have never seen. The fewer people involved, the better. You are well suited in every way. Besides, Emery trusted you for some reason, and I trust him."

Coming to the conclusion that his safety came first, I agreed immediately. "Yes, of course, I will help." I rubbed my face with both hands, feeling tired. "Just tell me what you need. I think we should involve the police at some point, but if you want to free him first, we can do it too. If anything goes wrong, know that I will call them." I informed her.

"Fine. In this case, let's hope everything goes well." She got up from her seat, and my eyes went wide like saucers. "Let's go."

"What?! Now?" I was shocked, to say the least. Was I supposed to leave with her, driving into the night to a random location for hours? I wanted to help Emery, but this sounded absurd.

"Why do you want to wait? For what? I will go and change, and we can leave. Simple." She stared at me as if her gaze could pierce me through.

"We are not prepared for this." Then I realised. "You didn't even tell me your name!" Finally, I raised my voice as this woman pulled all the strings of my patience, and at this point, I had barely any left. My hands trembled slightly. I could feel my neck getting hot and sweaty. This lady was inconsiderate, blunt and rude in her behaviour. Everything I despised.

"We just got the details from him. He's not stupid, Sage! If he said to come and get him, that's exactly what he meant. If he was in danger, he would have asked me to call the police, but he didn't." She composed herself with a deep exhale. Waving her hands nonchalantly. "My name is Cornelia, by the way."

"Okay, but I will text my housemates that I'm going with you. Just so you know." Cornelia rolled her eyes and turned her back to me as she climbed the stairs. Just in case, I texted Jake sharing my location with him in addition. I was glad to always keep the charger in my car. I couldn't do it being cut off from the world.

"Do whatever."

Her movements must be exceptionally fast because she changed very quickly compared to my other friends. Within a few seconds, she ran down the stairs, rushing me out through the door into my car. The only positive thing I learned about her was that she cared for Emery a lot. And that was something that we had in common. Our unique connection and motivation for mutual tolerance.

Cornelia navigated me with her GPS on the phone. I must admit that she wasn't bad at it. She gave me enough time to turn into the right street, and she didn't talk much apart from guiding me. In silence, my brain worked overtime, trying to predict what would happen when we got to our point on the map. I was tired, completely drained.

"Let's stop for a break," I told her, turning my car to an exit from a road to a nearby petrol station.

"Sure. I can use the bathroom too. Maybe I should get some water as well and snacks for Emery? He may be hungry or thirsty." She talked more to herself than to me but still, I responded.

"Good idea. I don't think we will stop anywhere on the way back having him on the back seat." I agreed, rushing out of the car.

"Mhm." She nodded. We walked silently into the grey, old-looking building. It was late, but the staff inside the store was friendly, smiling and joking. We purchased food and water, so no one made problems for us with using facilities. I took a bit longer to wash my face with cold water. I always thought I was relatively strong mentally, but I freaked out so smoothly with the whole kidnapping situation. It left me questioning myself.

When we got back to the car, we had about an hour to get to the address that Emery left for Cornelia. We would be there precisely twenty minutes after eleven, which I guess should be okay. Besides being there, I wasn't sure what the plan was. If we should go and knock on the door or wait in the car? I guess the second option was safer for all of us.

"What should we do when we get there?" I asked in a hushed tone.

"I don't know. We will see when we are there."

"You trust him that much, huh?" I grunted and heard her hum in response. It made me think about their friendship, how tight they were, but somehow even closer than most siblings on the planet. Was I jealous? Perhaps. Who would not like such a bond with another human being?

The street lights reflected on the car as we drove through the cosy town, and then it got dark as we turned into a road crossing the forest that seemed to be endless. The maps showed another village on the other side of this broad forest. It was also our destination. The place where Emery was waiting for us.