In Which the Phone Rings (continued...)

[You caught me.]

I was still on the phone.

There was something about his voice. Something familiar.

"Yes, I caught you...Who is this?" My curiosity got the best of me. I felt as though I should know who I was speaking with. It was an odd feeling...one I just couldn't shake.

[That's need-to-know, my dear.] I felt as though I needed to know.

"I don't need to know?" I asked.

[My dear, you should already know.]

This conversation was going no where. I obviously wasn't going to find out who this man was. I took in my surroundings once more. That's right, I was in a strange condo. I woke up at 2pm, the clock was missing.

[My dear?]

"I'm here."

[I was afraid that you hung up on me.]

"Hmmm...Yes, well, why would I do that?"

[That, my dear, is a good question.] Then it hit me. 'My dear...'

I knew exactly who this man was. Why the clock was gone. I knew where I was. I knew how I got here. I knew what was going on, what his motives were.

I was afraid. My heart began to race. I was panicking.

[My de...]

I hung up and backed away from the phone.

*Ring*...*Ring*...*Ring*...

There was no sense in trying to figure everything out anymore. The more I tried the more confusing it would get.

*Ring*...*Ring*...*Ring*...*Ring*

Only one man could make things this confusing.

...*Ring*...*Ring*...*Ring*...

Only one man could be this ingenious.

*Ring*...*Ring*...*Ri..* I held the phone to my ear.

[You figured it out.]

"Dad?" My voice cracked.

[Didn't I say I would find you?]

"So, you did."

[Yes...so,I did. You made it too easy.] He seemed irritated.

"I apologize. If you give me a second chance, I'll make it more difficult."

[Oh, I'm going to let you go, since it's you. But, my dear?]

"What?"

[Next time, I will not hold back.]

[toooooooooooonnnnnnnnne]

I, then, felt a sharp pain in my neck and blacked out.