Sarah returned home, tired after a long, hard day. The weather seemed to be against her. Dark grey clouds encircled the sky as if an omen of tragedy. The rain poured heavily onto the ground, hitting it like sharp spikes. The trees swayed in the strong winds, threatening to fall over at any moment.
Fumbling with her keys, she soon pushed open her door and reached inside, drenched due to the rain. Like a bolt from the blue, she realised that her house, her very lively and clamorous residence, was suddenly completely silent.
Maybe they all had left, she thought. However, where would they all go? It had been pouring the whole day. Solicitous and petrified, she scrambled up the stairs to check all the rooms. However, there was no sign of a single human. This was her worst nightmare.
She ambled around the house, seeing no one, and resolved to call the police. Briny tears flowed through her eyes as she thought about the worst-case scenarios. As soon as she spoke to the police and filed a complaint about her missing family, she decided that she would also help them find her family.
Soon she took notice of the little white piece of paper lying on the sofa. Picking it up, she read it through blurred eyes. “Dear Sarah, you must be wondering where your family is. Don’t worry, they’re safe. For now. I demand a sum of 1 million if you wish to have them back. I yearn you to make speed as their time is running out. The clock is ticking. With love, Chris Monte.”
Chris was her father’s childhood best friend. She darted into her parents’ room and reached for their cheque book. She signed a check for 1 million, tore it, and ran to her car. Starting it, she pressed on the accelerator and sped down the hustling and bustling streets of LA. The sound of car horns, clacking of shoes of pedestrians on the pavement and clamour of humanity reverberated throughout the city. Sarah sped towards Chris' house. She drove cautiously but hastily on the streets that were as slippery as eels. She was nervous and intimidated about her family’s well-being.
As soon as she reached Chris’ dilapidated house, she hopped out of her car, rushing to the front door. She knocked on the door and an old, frail woman opened the door. She asked, “Is uncle Chris at home?”
“Yes,” the old woman replied, “He’s been expecting you. He’s in his study on the first floor.” Running up the stairs, Sarah saw four doors and entered the one that said study on the top. She ran into Chris. “Where is my family?” She demanded.
“Well, well hello. Nice to meet you. Your family, you see, they’re there, in that room; but they’re
barely breathing. So I urge you to hurry and hand over the cash or the cheque and then you can go see them.”
Placing the cheque in his palm, she rushed to the door and pushed it open with all her might. Her mouth became as wide as a hippopotamus’ mouth looking at the wounds on her family, but they were all safe and sound. She ran towards them with tears in her eyes and it was a mix of love and affection. She had saved them.
Chris entered the room and everyone faced him. He sighed loudly before sitting down on the chair in the corner of the room. “Why did you want the money, Chris? Aren’t you already rich?” asked Sarah’s father, Patrick. “Patrick, it’s been a rough four years. I lost everything. My business failed and I was jobless. I needed this money to secure a safe home for my wife and children. I didn’t know what to do. When my son came up to me, asking for a new backpack as his old backpack was completely tattered, I realised that it was high time. This was my last approach. I’m sorry.” Chris finished.
" You could have just asked, I would have helped.” Replied Patrick. “Patrick, I wasn’t planning on telling you this tonight, but you were my best friend who helped me through it all,” said Chris. “I felt bad.” he added.
“It’s okay. I don’t forgive you but I don’t completely blame you.” Her father replied. They said their goodbyes and stood up, dusting themselves and headed downstairs. They left the house, most of them entering Sarah’s car and the others rented a cab. They all were jubilant to have returned home.
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