Chapter Twenty-Five: Disconnection:

I walked up to an elderly tourist couple.

“Excuse me,” I said. “Have you seen a girl in a black hoodie and jeans?”

“I’m sorry,” the old lady said. “We haven’t seen anyone in hoodie.”

“I see,” I said. I closed my eyes and tried to listen for her. I didn’t have psychic abilities, but I had learned how to communicate with Sayuri over the time that we had spent together. I opened my eyes and shook my head.

“Nothing,” I said. “I can’t feel anything.”

“What are you talking about?” the old man asked. I shook my head and ran off. I looked around the bus station for Sayuri. Not a single person I asked had seen her. When they answered I kept getting this strange feeling like they were brainwashed or something. Part of me wanted to stop asking them questions and look for her myself. I slumped down on a bench near the snack bar.

How could she have disappeared so quickly? She didn’t know anyone in Baton Rouge. I told her to keep her head down. She was too smart to draw attention to her. Did the police get her anyway?

I shook my head. No, no. Calm down. Maybe she went to the bathroom or something. I closed my eyes and tried to reach out to her. Sayuri? Can you hear me? Sayuri? Where are you? I opened my eyes, disappointed. Where did she go? I should’ve picked up a pre-paid phone or two.

I froze when I felt someone tap in the back of my right shoulder. I turned around, but nobody was there. What the hell? I happened to look down at my ankles. A little light brown teddy bear leaned against my foot. Huh? Where the hell did this happen? Curious, I picked up the bear and looked at the little creature. It looked like a normal bear with black button eyes and nose. The patterns on the paws were satin pink.

“Where did you come from?” I asked. When I turned the little creature to face me, my eyes widened. A silver little stone was taped to its stomach. I couldn’t help but smile as I placed my fingertips on the smooth surface around the duct tape. A jolt shot through my body and my mind went into another space.

Help me!

I about jumped when that message ripped through my head. Sayuri? Did you leave this for me? I put my hand back on the stone.

Help me! They took me away! I tried to escape. Help me! Static fizzed through my ears before it all went quiet. The teddy bear in my hand disappeared into thin air. That was all I needed to turn around and run away from the bus station. I didn’t even think to try and figure out who and where they took her. Still, I had the feeling that we would find each other through the connection that we had built together over the weeks that we had travelled together. I had the feeling that wasn’t going to be the last teddy bear that I ran into.

I just hope that the cops don’t catch me first. Hang on, Sayuri! I will get you to your brother like I promised. I refused to be beaten by the clock.

-Fifty Miles Away-

The Korean doctor took a look around on the highway before holding the phone to his ear.

“We’ve got the other test subject,” he said. “We’re on our way now. Yes. Yes. Goodbye.” The doctor walked back into the truck and drove off.