After a challenging time finding Abby house on the poorly drawn and labeled version of her map, I finally arrived. I got out of my car and took in her two-story house, nothing familiar surfacing.

I went up to her front door and knocked twice politely. After a few seconds I heard movement and stepped back, waiting.

“Hi!” I said cheerily when a boy who looked almost identical to Abby opened the door.

“Hey, Charlie.” He said, smiling. He didn’t look too good, and I really hoped I didn’t catch his cold.

“Were you over at my house yesterday?” I asked and he shook his head.

“Nope, I’ve been laid up for the past two days.” He said.

“Oh, alright. So you haven’t taken my journals?” I asked, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach.

“No, sorry.” He said, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Feel better.” I said, giving him a small smile before walking back to my car.

I drove back to the school, going with my instinct that Liam has something to do with this.

* * *

I found Liam in the art room, looking like he didn’t move at all since I left. Except for adding more to his painting of what looks like well painted bird.

“Hey.” I said, startling him.

“Charlotte, right?” He asked and I nodded.

“Could you just be honest with me, please?” I asked, knowing I sounded embarrassingly desperate.

“Fine, but I didn’t take your journals. I’ve just seen you before.” He said, his cheeks colouring slightly.

“When? Where?” I asked, my attention captured.

“In a dream.” He said, cringing.

“What happened in the dream?” I asked, believing him. If I can loose my memory every 30 days and wake up with a memory of him, then I might as well believe he dreamed about me.

“Well, I remember seeing you sleeping in, I’m guessing, your room, and someone in a black hoodie came in through your window. They went straight for your closet and emptied out a box into a bag and left. I had the dream last week, right after I found out I was moving here.” He said and I stared at him, eyes wide.

He could see the future?

Although he could be lying.

“Charlotte?” He said, shaking me out of my thoughts.

“Hmm, yeah. Sorry. Did you happen to see the face?” I asked.

“No, sorry. You believe me then?” He asked, looking nervous.

“For now. You’ve given me no reason not to.” I responded and a small smile appeared on his face.

“Can I ask why the journals are so important to you?” He asked.

“You can ask, but I’m not going to tell you right now. We just met.” I said.

“Fine. If its alright with you, I’d like to get back to my painting.” He said.

“Sure thing. Bye, Liam.” I said, waving as I left.

I let out a heavy sigh as I leaned against the wall outside the art room. I have no idea how I’m supposed to find this person. I have nothing to go on, other than they were wearing a hoodie, but anyone with $20 bucks can buy a hoodie.

A jingle started coming out of my pocket and I remembered the phone I found and put there this morning. I pulled it out and it said unknown number. I declined the call, but they called right back.

“Hello?” I said, deciding to answer the call.

“I have what you want.” A robotic sounding voice said.

“What?” I asked, surprised.

“Your journals.” They said.