Rain

"I don't have a good feeling about this." I told Jared as we were climbing into his makeshift car.

"Don't worry, it's safe."

"I don't mean the car."

He just grinned, I guess he was trying to keep things light. I kept getting more tense by the minute, and when we arrived at my house the feeling was weighing heavily on my mind. We decided not to park in front of the house in case someone was watching it.

We hid behind one of our overgrown hedges when we heard a man banging on the front door. It was Mike. "Come on!" He pounded on the door some more. "Why would you leave me an urgent message telling me to meet you here, and then not be home?! What's more, not answering your phone!" He flipped his phone shut and angrily shoved it in his pocket.

"They're not home!" I nearly whisper-shouted to Jared, "both cars are here. Something is wrong." I started out from behind the bush, I had to talk to Mike. But Jared put his arm in front of me. "He's safe. Don't you think we need an adult? Besides, he's not magic." Jared still protested, but I pushed him out of the way, "I won't tell him you're here."

I walked up to Mike and tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned around he rolled his eyes and turned back. "Stop! What do you know about my parents?"

He stopped, I could almost see the compassion overcoming him. He turned towards me once again, "Look, kid, I don't know where your parents are. All I know is that a couple of days ago. . .wait, aren't you supposed to be missing? Anyway, then today he calls me and tells me he needs my help for something. Doesn't tell me what, but that it's urgent. So of course, I drop everything I am doing to rush over here. And for what, an empty house and some punk kid? To think, I gave up an afternoon of War craft for this."

"Mike, please, is there anything else you can tell me?"

"No, I'm sorry. That's all I know. Oh, but if you see your dad before I do, tell him his job's hanging by a thread. He hasn't been to work in a few days. We all figured he went looking for you."

"Oh no. I think his life may be in danger!"

"Why would you say that? Your dad wouldn't hurt a fly."

"I know, but. . ."

"You running with a rough crowd, kid?"

"No, not exactly."