My instincts told me to check the art room first, so I headed there. The door was open a crack, so I poked my head in and saw Liam washing brushed over by the sink under the window.

“Hey.” I said and he turned around.

“Hey.” He said, “Meet with Abby yet?”

“Yeah, I just finished. I can finally find out more about my life.” I smiled, holding the journal up for him to see.

“That’s great, Charlotte, I’m really happy for you.” He said, sincerely, “What part of your life do you get to learn about?”

“She gave me the first journal I wrote, so I’m think part of before I was 12 and some of when I was twelve.” I informed him and he nodded.

“When are you getting the rest back?” He asked.

“I don’t know, Abby didn’t say. I think they want to make sure it’s my hair first.” I said. He opened his mouth to say something and then his eyes rolled back in his head and collapsed onto the floor.

“Liam.” I squeaked out and rushed towards him, dodging easels. I dropped down onto my hands and knees when I reached him. My fingers when to his neck first to check for a pulse, and calmed slightly when I felt the steady beat underneath my fingers.

I brushed back the hair from his forehead and grabbed his hand.

“Put down the guns, lovebirds. We will shoot you if we have to.” A man dressed in black said, holding a gun pointed towards Liam and I.

Liam and I each held onto a gun that we were pointing at the man in a dimly lit room. Abby walked up beside the man, her hand brushed his shoulder as she said something inaudible into his ear.

“Shoot him.” She snarled after pushing away from the man. He pulled the trigger after aiming it directly at Liam and –

I dropped Liam’s hand and let out a sharp gasp. He slowly blinked his eyes open, coming to after passing out. I sat back onto my knees and stared at him, digesting what I saw.

“Did you see that too?” Liam asked, sitting up and leaning against the cabinet behind him.

“Yes.” I whispered.

“You held my hand, right? Then saw my premonition or vision or whatever you want to call it?” He questioned and I nodded.

“I don’t think it’ll come true, though. I wouldn’t even know where to get a gun.” I said.

“Neither do I, but you never know. Did you honestly ever think someone would want your hair?” He reasoned.

My phone started ringing in my pocket and I took it out. I glanced at the number and recognized it from the call I got yesterday.

“It’s them.” I said to Liam.

“Don’t answer.” He pleaded and I shook my head at him.

I pressed the accept button and held it up to my ear, “Hello?”

“Hello, Charlotte. Are you enjoying the journal?” The computerized voice from last time asked.

“I haven’t read it yet.” I said and they laughed.

“Too busy with, Liam, was it?” They said and my grip on the phone tightened.

“Abby told you?” I guessed.

“She has her uses. Anyways, if you would like anymore of your journals we require you to give us the boy.” They said.

“No. I can’t.” I stated.

“Would you rather we burn some of your journals?” They asked.

“No!” I shouted, then more quietly, “Can’t I please give you something else?”

“Hmm, I suppose a lock of his hair and spit sample will suffice, for now. If you give us that, we’ll give you two journals.” They proposed.

“Alright, that works. When and where?” I asked, feeling guilty.

“4 o’clock at the small park two blocks from your house.” They said and a sliver of fear went through me when I realized they knew where I lived.

“Okay.” I said softly.

“Good, thank you for cooperating, Charlotte. Goodbye.” They said and I hung up without saying a farewell.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Liam asked, anger in his voice, clearly having heard the conversation from listening in.

“Not me, we, and we are going to stop these guys.” I said, faking the confidence I didn’t fully feel. There’s no point in wasting time with apologies. I’ll get nowhere at ending this if I don’t work with these people and I’m running out of time.