I woke up...and suddenly sat up, gasping for breath. All I could remember was that piercing pain...although now it was long gone. The weird part was that I could still remember that dream vividly. I don't know what that place was...but I think I was injured, somehow. Whatever the case, I checked the time. 9:30. A good time to wake up, I thought. Rolling out of bed, I changed my clothes and went through my daily morning rituals. Today was the day, then. I was going to the end of that god forsaken road with Esther....it felt nice finally knowing her name. I exited my room and fixed myself a bowl of cereal, turning on the TV in the adjacent living room with the remote, since I had a clear line of sight to it from the kitchen. Last time on NewsRadio...

Ah, this show. I was a fan of it. Sitcoms like this one were always nice. I couldn't help but smile as the episode aired, while I myself munched happily on my cereal. Once I was finished, I drank the milk in the bowl and rinsed it out, then left it in the sink. I'd put it in the dishwasher later. Walking to the couch, I sat down, sighing. May as well waste the remaining hours I had until five watching TV. A few hours later, maybe around 4, I heard the door open. Surprised, I couldn't help but call out. "Mom? Dad?" I didn't get a response. There were only a few people in this world with the audacity to walk into my house uninvited...my suspicions were confirmed when Alex popped up in the doorway. "Yo, how's it going?" He asked me with a cheeky grin.

"How about knocking next time?" I asked him. Alex laughed. "Your fault for leaving the door unlocked. What if I was a burglar?"

"I'd pummel you!" I replied, smiling. "So, what's up?"

"Nothing man, I was just wanting to hangout. Whatcha got playing?" He checked out the TV as he plopped down beside me on the couch. "Oh, Simpsons now, huh?" I nodded. "How's Samantha?" I asked.

"Oh man, she's great bro! Yesterday we went to a restaurant and had one heck of a meal. Gotta take you with us next time!" I laughed. "Really? It's not that new one that just opened up, is it?"

"It is! Sorry for not inviting you, but I figured you'd probably be busy..." I shrugged it off, not minding it at all. "It's alright, but you owe me a free meal!" He pouted, then smiled. "Yeah man, sure." Time passed by quicker than I thought, and before I knew it, a look at the clock revealed it was 5:34. "....huh?" I mumbled.

"You're waiting for her, aren't you?" Alex asked. I turned to face him. "How'd you know?"

"Not that hard to tell. I can't believe you'd still go to her even after everything. Are you stupid or something?" I shook my head. "No, it's just-"

"It doesn't matter, we got it covered." I frowned at those words.

"What do you mean?"

"Got her restrained and everything. We're going to deal with her once and for all." I jumped up. "Alex, what the hell?!" I was almost shouting at this point. Alex got up, looking perplexed. "What? She's kidnapping people, Alex. We had to take things into our own hands..."

"Restrain her? What about calling the police? We're not savages!"

"Well see, Alex, the police won't be of much help. Sides, Sheriff Jones is giving us his full cooperation. I'm doing this for you, bro. I don't wanna lose you..." I trembled in rage. "The hell you are! Where is she?!" Alex shook his head. "I'm not saying. Look, this is for your own good, aight?" I walked up to him, grabbing the scruff of his shirt.

"Where. Is. She?" I asked him through clenched teeth. Alex looked hurt. "Are you seriously choosing some random chick who won't even tell you her name over your lifelong friend?"

"I'm starting to wonder if you're really my friend," I pointed out. Alex laughed. "So what? Gonna punch me? I doubt it..." I let go of him. "No. I'm going to find Esther."

"Is that the bitch's name? How charming..." I stormed past him, but my movement was halted as I felt a hand clamp down on my shoulder, halting my progress. "...but you know, Smith, I can't let you do that." I tried to break free from his grip, but it wasn't working. It was like he had a grip of steel! "Let me go, Alex!" I protested. "We're not vigilantes! Don't tell me you're gonna burn her at the stake too?"

"Weeeeell...."

"You son of a-" My words were cut off as something slammed into my face, sending me flying backwards, my body slamming against the wall. "Smith...why can't you understand? Don't you want to stay? This place is so nice..." Alex's words made little sense to me as my vision dimmed...and then I fell unconscious, wondering just what the hell was going on.