I'm scared to death when I hear a buzz nearby. I scan the room and I see that it's Lawrence's phone! I cautiously move towards it, and the brightness makes me squint. The time appears on the screen. 10:27PM. Day 1, almost down. Two more to go.
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdu9yEzyO3
The phone buzzed because it received a text from a blocked number.
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVSQgGU7jY
«If you want to save your friend, you must obey my commands. I'm sure we'll get along fine… Jade. Reply within 2 minutes, or else you'll hear the gunshot.»
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONialfp0f7
As I read the words on the screen before my eyes, my back slides against a nearby wall. And I ponder.
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDcu5SuXTl
10:29PM. Is it too late? I scramble to type as fast as I can:
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYoB6tmm5A
«If you hurt him, you'll go back to jail.»
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC7ibiF4Rd
A nearby candle flickers. It illuminates the clock above it.
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUSxUR1IMD
I've always loved clocks. It's so similar to friendship. So similar to what I have—er, had…— with Edward. The second hand moves the fastest, so it represents endurance, because it's the quality you'll need the most. You'll always have ups and down, so you'll always need to endure the downs, the arguments, the "separating factors"...
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswHbwt9Ads
The minute hand doesn't move as quick, but it still moves constantly. This hand equals forgiveness. It's not everyday that you need to forgive a person, but it still is a quality you'll need to master to have everlasting friendships.
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKnqCbkQfe
Finally, the hour hand is love. The hour hand moves slowly, just like love grows overtime. Slowly. But it's there. You might not realize the hour hand moved until the hour changes. You might not realize you've come to love someone until the circumstances change. Like if that person is brutally beaten to death for standing up for a person being bullied. Yeah.
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtgOsxLo6v
Buzz.
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9KFMrUxPB
«Who's going to tell? You? I can easily shoot a bullet right through your head, little one. So careful you don't step on my toes. Now, do you agree to be my temporary slave?»
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ylYItQHEV
No. Of course not. Me? A slave to save someone I just met?
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD2cq14Lku
Buzz.
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q3ziQivIA
«I'm running out of patience.»
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH37Jg4wmm
This is going to be a long weekend...
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocATJvoOq0
«As long as Lawrence's safety is guaranteed... Then I agree to be your slave...»
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7faULDW5V
What kind of slave will I be?
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6rDHMD0Qh
«Great. Your first task starts tomorrow. Remember, Lawrence's and your lives are on the line.»
612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZG1q58wQI
11:04PM. I go to one of the reclining armchairs, hoping I wake up alive.612Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mczToaXBB
