Chapter Three: Kidnapped!

 

Cloudy stood in a dark forest, a bemused expression on her face. The forest looked vaguely like Whispy Woods, but  the landscape was more rocky. Giant boulders were scattered about and the sky was a reddish-gray. The Malamute plodded along, trying to find her way home. How did she even get out here?

Cloudy reached a sandy-colored boulder whose sides were worn smooth and had been chipped away in some places. Rounding the corner of it, she was astonished to see Meta Knight standing there, his eyes filled with frantic worry as he stared at her.

“Meta Knight!” Cloudy exclaimed. “Where are we?”

Meta Knight never responded. Instead, he leaned forward and grasped Cloudy’s shoulders so tightly the puppy winced in pain. Why was her friend behaving so strangely?

“You must help them! You must save them before it is too late!” Meta Knight pleaded.

Cloudy blinked in alarm. Save them? What did he mean?

 

* * * * *

 

Cloudy sat bolt upright in bed, her heart racing. She blinked a few times and shook her head to clear the cobwebs from her brain, frowning as she thought about her dream. Why had Meta Knight told her to save them? And who was “them”?

Cloudy released a heavy sigh, a bit frustrated. Perhaps there were some dreams she would never understand. Lying down again, she closed her eyes and was soon sound asleep.

 

* * * * *

 

The next morning, Cloudy awoke to bright sunshine pouring through the glass panes of her balcony doors. Stretching, she got out of bed, straightened the covers, and went downstairs. Her parents weren’t up yet, so she ate a muffin and drank a glass of milk, then skipped outside. She stood on the porch for a moment, admiring the gorgeous sunrise, then jumped down the porch steps and walked across the street to Miriam’s house. To her surprise, Miriam was already up. She was sitting on the bottom porch step, her eyes locked on the pinkish-gold clouds, her young face thoughtful.

“Miriam,” Cloudy spoke.

The girl gasped and looked down at her friend. “Cloudy! You scared the living daylights out of me!”

“Sorry,” Cloudy said apologetically. With a serious look on her face, she glanced up at her friend. “Are you still thinking about moving?”

Miriam nodded. “I just couldn’t believe it when my mom told me. I want to stay here, Cloudy. I don’t want to leave behind everything I know and love from some unknown destination.”

“I know how you feel, Miriam,” said Cloudy. “I don’t want you to leave either, but maybe it’s for the best.”

Miriam nodded. “I know it’s for the best. If this is what God wants, I’ll go along with His will.”

Cloudy smiled. She seated herself beside her friend and looked up to the sky, which was tinged with yellow and red. “That’s right, Miriam. Just trust Jesus. He knows what’s best for you. If this is the road He wants you to take, then walk it. No questions asked.”

Miriam didn’t answer, but Cloudy knew she had heard and received the message. Cloudy snuggled up to Miriam, and the girl put her hand on the puppy’s back and gently ruffled her winter coat.

“Even though I will move, Cloudy, you’ll always be my friend,” Miriam said. “And perhaps I’ll even be able to come back for a visit.”

“Oh, I hope you do,” Cloudy said sincerely.

Miriam smiled and rested her hand on Cloudy’s shoulder. Together, the two friends gazed upward at the brightening sky filled with the colors of orange, red, and gold.

 

* * * * *

 

Much time passed. Cloudy and Miriam and their her friends spent as much time together every day as they possibly could, trying their best to block out the coming day of Miriam’s departure. They hung out at Cloudy’s house, in Whispy Woods, at Putu Park, Scazzarda’s cabin, and every other place they could think of.

And through it all, Cloudy still kept thinking about her mysterious dream.

 

* * * * *

 

Three days before Liloy’s birthday party, Miriam decided to ask her mom a big favor. She wanted to do some shopping at the mall downtown so she could buy Liloy a birthday present. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the kitchen and briefly explained her request to Meredith.

Meredith turned from the kitchen counter and flashed her daughter a worried look. “Are you sure about this, darling? I mean, you’re only a little girl. . .”

“Mom, I’m seven years old,” Miriam sighed. “I’m not a baby anymore. I think I can handle being out on my own.”

Meredith shook her head. “I’d still feel better if someone went with you. How are you to walk all the way downtown?”

“I’m not walking. I’m taking the bus,” Miriam replied.

Meredith sighed and placed a plate into the cabinet. “Okay, if you insist, honey. Just be back within two hours, all right? Don’t talk to strangers, and if you need to get in contact with me—” She handed Miriam her phone. “—then use that. Okay?”

“Yes, ma’am. Thanks!” Miriam darted out of the house, waving goodbye to her mother. Meredith waved in return as she watched Miriam skip over to the bus stop, fervently hoping her daughter would be okay.

 

* * * * *

 

As soon as Miriam arrived at the mall, she instantly began to pursue her goal to buy Liloy a nice birthday gift. The first place she went to was the jewelry store. Entering into the small, neat room, she glanced around at the white ceilings and the signs in the windows portraying discounts on certain items. But none of that mattered to her. She stepped up to the glass cases and began scrutinizing the necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other expensive trinkets.

While she was looking, a humanoid lady with brown hair and wearing a pressed, black business suit walked up to her and kindly asked, “May I help you, young lady?”

Startled, Miriam turned from the cases and looked full into the woman’s face. “Oh, no, ma’am,” she answered politely. “I was only looking.”

The woman nodded and walked off, and Miriam returned her attention to the jewelry. However, though she like all of the pieces, they were either too expensive or too fancy for Liloy’s taste. Discouraged, Miriam turned away from the cases and trudged toward the door, but was forced to halt due to a young woman entering the store. Both nearly ran into one another.

“Oh!” the woman gasped. “I’m sorry!”

“No, I’m sorry,” Miriam said at the same time. The two stopped talking and stared at each other curiously for a long moment, then burst into laughter.

“Why are we even laughing?” Miriam asked, struggling to control her giggles.

The woman shrugged. “Sometimes people laugh at random or abrupt things that seem funny to them. I think the same is true in this case.”

Miriam nodded, grinning. But then her smile slipped a notch as she studied her newfound friend. She looked an awful lot like Meta Knight, but the differences were that this woman’s skin was periwinkle-blue instead of navy, her eyes were a darker yellow than Meta Knight’s, and she didn’t wear a mask. Miriam also observed the woman was pregnant.

“Is something wrong?” the woman asked worriedly, noting Miriam staring blankly at her.

Miriam blushed slightly, realizing how rude she was being. “No, no,” she said hurriedly. “It’s just—I feel like I ought to know you. You look so much like a certain friend of mine. . .”

“Meta Knight?” the woman questioned.

Miriam started and stared at her. “Why. . .yes,” she said slowly. “But how’d you know that?”

The woman chuckled, her laughter bubbling over like water from a fountain. “I’m his daughter, Liloy Stellarum! Surely you’ve heard of me.”

Miriam gasped, her brown eyes growing as big as saucers. “You—You mean that. . .you’re Liloy?!”

Liloy nodded. “Indeed. And you are?”

Miriam was so surprised to meet Meta Knight’s daughter that she almost forgot her manners. “Miriam Capperdale. I’m seven.” She extended her hand. “I’m best friends with Cloudy.”

“Nice to meet you, Miriam,” said Liloy, taking the girl’s hand. “And yes, I’ve heard of Cloudy. Father’s talked about her often. I can’t wait to meet her at my party.” Then, as if struck with a thought, she smiled and raised an eyebrow suspiciously. “Why are you in the jewelry store, dear?”

Miriam’s mind raced for an answer. If Liloy guessed the truth about what Miriam was really doing there, Miriam was doomed. “Uh. . .my mom just sent me to run some errands here,” she explained calmly, keeping her gaze trained on Liloy’s face. “See, we’re moving in a few days, and she wants to make sure everything is spic and span and ready to go.” She shrugged, trying to appear casual. “You know how moving is.”

“Yes, I do,” said Liloy. “I know what moving is like. I’ve had to do it before. And it wasn’t easy, believe me.” She then launched into a story about the time her family had to move when she was three. Miriam silently breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that she had gotten rid of Liloy’s suspicion.

Miriam glanced at her watch. She only had one hour and twenty minutes left to complete her shopping. But how could she shop for Liloy’s gift with Liloy here? She would get suspicious again and that was the last thing Miriam needed.

Miriam cleared her throat and interrupted Liloy’s story. Something to do with a pile of dusty boxes full of moldy dishes or something like that, but Miriam honestly didn’t care. “So, Liloy,” the young girl began nonchalantly, “what brings you here?”

Liloy seemed happy to answer the question. “I came to buy a gift for my grandmother Scazzarda. I wanted to give her something nice.”

“Is it her birthday or something?”

Liloy shook her head no. “It’s not for any special occasion. I’m just feeling unusually generous today.”

Miriam nodded understandingly. “Um, so how long will you be here?” she asked, hoping maybe Liloy would go away soon so she could get back to shopping.

However, Liloy’s answer dashed her hopes. “An hour, and hour and fifteen, I suppose. I’ll be walking in and out of different stores, so maybe we’ll bump into each other.” She smiled brightly.

Miriam smiled back, but was beginning to feel desperate. She couldn’t shop with Liloy hanging around! So what was she to do? Wait until Liloy went away? No, because by then Miriam would have to go home.

Miriam then made her decision. Shopping for Liloy would have to wait until another day. “Liloy?”

“Yes?”

Miriam took a deep breath. “Is it okay if I help you shop for your grandmother?” she blurted out. Mentally, she reminded herself that helping other s counted more than your own needs or desires.

Liloy smiled. “Certainly you can. I’d love some help.” She linked her arm in  Miriam’s and said, “Let’s loom around this store first, and if there’s nothing here we like, we’ll move on.”

Miriam nodded, and the two set right to work hunting for the perfect gift. They found nothing they like at the jewelry store, so they moved on to the clothing store. Miriam slipped on an oversized woman’s dress, a pink print wit pale-green flowers. Turning round and round, she told Liloy to check her out. “How do I look?” she asked.

Liloy giggled and put her hand over her mouth. “You look like you need to grow several more inches before you can fit in that.”

Miriam then tried to walk around and talk like an adult. Picking up a leather purse and pointing a finger at an imaginary child, she said sternly in her grown-up way, “Young lady, you better get yourself over here! We have to get home! Let’s go!”

Liloy burst into laughter, her custard-colored eyes shining with amusement. Miriam, attempting to keep a straight face, continued with her mock lecture. “What do you mean, ‘no?’ I said come here pronto! If you don’t, I’ll whip your rear when we get home!”

Liloy was laughing so loudly that several people were staring at her, wondering if she was mentally stable. A security guard, upon hearing the racket, walked up to them. “Ma’am,” he told Liloy, “I’m afraid you’re being too loud. You’re being a public nuisance and disrupting everyone in the store. I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Liloy stopped laughing and nodded. “I understand,” she said solemnly. She turned to Miriam. “Come on, dear. We’re not welcome here.”

Miriam wiggled out of the dress and hung the purse back on its hook. Then, escorted by the security guard, Miriam and Liloy exited the clothing store. Once the door was shut, the tow traded glances and burst into giggles again.

“To think,” Liloy chuckled, “that’s the first time I’ve ever been escorted out of a store for laughing!”

“Yeah.” Miriam smiled and looked back at the clothing store. “But that security guard sure was kind.”

“Yes, he was very young and handsome, was he not?” Liloy agreed, teasing Miriam. “But he’s not exactly your type, is he?”

Miriam blushed at that. “Liloy!”

“Just kidding,” Liloy assured her. “I was only playing with you.”

Miriam scowled. “Well, don’t think I’d abandon Zach for some dashing guy who patrols a store.”

Liloy’s eyes landed on Miriam and a mischievous grin appeared on her face. “Zach? You have a boyfriend?”

Miriam looked up to the ceiling. “Well. . .not exactly. He’s my friend, but I think he likes me romantically. However, we are not in any way involved in a relationship. No.”

“Maybe you’ll end up marrying him as I did with Tilry,” Liloy said. She closed her eyes. “I remember we met when I was in third grade. I was only around seven or so at the time because my mother had me start a little earlier than most kids. Anyway, Tilry noticed me in the hallway later that afternoon and we got to talking. I learned he and I were cousins. When I was around twelve or so, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I obliged. But there was another boy who kept pestering me to be his girlfriend—Joseph Unswall. He was very kind to me, but he was rivals with Tilry.” She sighed.
Joseph continued to ask me over and over to be his girlfriend until I graduated at fifteen, and later that same year, I married Tilry.” She stopped talking and stared off into the distance.

Miriam sighed dreamily. “What a romantic story of how you met and married your cousin!” Then a puzzled look spread over her face. “But, um, what became of Joseph?”

Liloy shifted her purse to her other shoulder. “He graduated at seventeen and came to my house once when I was fourteen, but after that I never saw him again. That’s all I know of him. I never spoke to him again after that day.”

Miriam nodded and looked to her watch. She had only thirty minutes before she had to go home! “Um, Liloy, we need to wrap up this shopping session before I need to go home,” Miriam said. She tapped her watch.

Liloy grinned. “Then let’s go.” She took Miriam’s hand and hurried into the shoe store.

 

* * * * *

 

After running in and out of several stores and finding nothing they like, Liloy had finally gone into the electronics store and bought a watch. As they exited the mall with their purchase, chatting contentedly as if they had known each other all their lives, the afternoon sun shone in their eyes, causing them to squint. They hurried over to the bus stop and looked at the schedule taped to the bus stop sign.

“The bus left a few minutes ago and the next one won’t come for an hour,” Liloy said, a note of concern in her voice. “I need to get home soon, though.”

“Me too,” said Miriam.

At that moment, a black van cruised down the street and stopped a few feet away from the bus stop, and the driver’s-side window rolled down to reveal a black-haired man smoking a cigarette. He smiled and took a drag, then called out, “Heya, Liloy.”

Liloy stared at him a second, confusion shadowing her features. Then the shadow passed and a smile of recognition lit up her face. “Joseph Unswall!” she exclaimed, surprise apparent in her voice as she walked over to the car. “Hello!”

“Hi. How have you been?” His green eyes twinkled.

“I’ve been wonderful,” Liloy answered politely. “How came you to be in this part of Spring Breeze?”

Joseph chuckled and flicked some ashes off his cigarette. “As they say in the movies, I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by. I didn’t even expect to see you here. I though you’d be home.”

“I was shopping with my friend,” Liloy explained.

“I see.” Joseph smiled kindly down at Liloy.”How’s your baby?”

“He’s fine too.”

“And Tilry?”

“He’s doing okay, but he’s not expected to live for much longer,” Liloy said, sadness creeping into her voice. Her eyes dropped to the ground.

“Oh,” Joseph said. Miriam thought she saw a faint smile come across his face, but when she looked closely, she saw only a serious expression. She shrugged. Perhaps it had only been her imagination.

“So what’s the trouble?” Joseph asked after a minute or two of silence.

Liloy raised her head. “Well, Miriam and I were shopping for my grandmother, and we need to get home soon, but the next bus won’t come for an hour.”

Joseph smiled. “Well, I can take you in my car. I was heading to your house anyway. I wanted to pay you a visit. Ya, know, an old-friends type visit. Hope in. I’ll give you a lift.”

Miriam blinked in surprise, fear and suspicion rising in her. Meredith has warned her about the dangers of hitchhiking and warned her never to do it, but Miriam knew it would take a long time to wait for the next bus and even longer to walk home. Her mother would scold if she was late.

Liloy smiled brightly. “Certainly we can ride with you.” She called to Miriam, “Come, dear. Let’s get in Joseph’s car. He’ll bring us home.”

Miriam shook her head. “No, Liloy. I’d rather wait for the bus.”

Liloy seemed astonished. “Why, what’s the matter, honey?”

“Mom told me never to ride with someone I don’t know well,” Miriam said.

Liloy laughed. “Miriam, don’t be silly! I know Joseph very well. He’s a kind man. Now come inside. Otherwise, you’ll be late getting home.”

Miriam frowned and thought a moment. Liloy knew Joseph a whole lot better than she did, and she had said he was a nice man. Besides, as long as I’m with Liloy and a guy she knows very well, Miriam reasoned, it’s not really hitchhiking.

Miriam relented. “All right.” She climbed into the car with Liloy and fastened her seatbelt. The interior of the car smelled like cigarette smoke, and she covered her nose and mouth with the neckline of her dress. Liloy buckled her seatbelt too and said, “Okay, Joseph, to my house. We should be there in about twenty minutes. And you can drop my friend off at her house.”

“I’ll let you know where it is when I see it,” Miriam offered.

Joseph nodded, but said nothing. He put the car into drive and revved off down the road. As he did, the tailgate, which was loose, fell off the back of the van and clattered to the road. Joseph didn’t seem to notice.

 

* * * * *

 

Meanwhile, the same humanoid woman who had spoken with Miriam in the jewelry store was sitting on a bench by the entrance to the mall, eating her lunch. As she chewed, she glanced out the large window and saw the same little girl she had spoken to earlier standing by the bus stop out front. Another woman was with her. As the lady watched, a black van drove slowly down the road. Then it stopped in front of the girl and the woman, and the window rolled down, revealing a young man with dark-colored hair (black?). He was smoking a cigarette and had light skin. She couldn’t make out the color of his eyes.

The man traded a few words with the two girls and they got into his van, the drove off. As they did, the tailgate fell off the back of the car and onto the road.

The humanoid’s brow knotted as he thought about the strange man. He looked very familiar to her, but who was he? At that moment, she couldn’t figure it out. Perhaps it would come to her later, though.

 

* * * * *

 

Liloy hummed happily as she watched the scenery fly by. Miriam, on the other hand, was not relaxed or content. She was tense. The moment she had stepped foot into Joseph’s car, she had gotten weird vibes off him. She didn’t trust him. Personally, she was surprised Liloy even suggested riding with him!

Liloy looked away from the window and down at Miriam. “Having fun?”

Miriam mustered a smile. “Sure,” she replied weakly. “It’s very fun.”

Liloy beamed. “Told you this wouldn’t be bad!”

If she only knew, thought Miriam.

A few more minutes passed before Miriam’s house came into view. Excitement leaped through Miriam. Now she could get out of this strange car and into the safety of her own sweet home—but of course, Miriam though ruefully as she glanced at her watch, she might get a lecture from her mother for being late and riding with someone she hardly knew. I’d father face up to her wrath than be stuck in this creepy car.

“There’s my house,” Miriam told Joseph.

Joseph nodded, but instead of slowing and stopping in front of the house, he drove right past it. Miriam was startled. “Hey, Joseph,” she said, “my house was back there.”

“I know, silly,” Joseph chuckled, “but I decided to bring Liloy to her house first and then drop you off. Hope that’s okay.”

Miriam shrugged. “Sure, that’s fine.” She knew she would be even more late now, but she could deal with that later. Liloy and her baby were more important.

After ten minutes of driving, Liloy suddenly frowned as she noticed that they were on a deserted road with dark woods surrounding them. “Hey, we should have passed my house half a mile back,” she realized. “Joseph, please turn around. We need to get back to my house.”

Joseph made no reply and didn’t turn around, which made Miriam extremely uneasy.

Liloy’s voice became a bit stern. “Joseph, turn this car around. We need to get back to my house.”

Joseph suddenly slammed on brakes, jolting Miriam and Liloy forward. He pulled out a pistol from his jacket pocket, loaded it, and pointed the barrel of it at the frightened inhabitants. “Or you can keep quiet and we keep driving,” Joseph said, a malicious look on his face. “Otherwise, you die.”

Liloy was frozen on shock and Miriam was terrified, her heart pounding. Joseph turned away from them and began driving again, one hand on the wheel, another holding the cocked pistol.

Liloy leaned over and whispered to Miriam, “What’s he doing?!”

Miriam’s face was grim. “I hate to tell you, Liloy, but. . .”

“But?” Liloy waited expectantly. “What’s happening?”

Miriam raised her eyes to Liloy’s and hissed, “I think we’re being kidnapped!”