What would you do to those who you love most? Would you let them die? Would you save them? What if you couldn’t save them, what’d you do? These are some difficult questions if you ask me. But, I put them aside to save my beloved. I would give an arm, leg, ear, hand, anything, for that one person. My mission, how would I save my wife?
I sat at my kitchen table on a cold December morning, watching the snow fall from outside the window. Outside the window, the little boy across the street was destroying what seemed to be his little sister’s snowman she had spent the entire previous day building. My wife, Chelsi, was getting our youngest daughter ready for school. Her long black hair lay out over her shoulders as she tucked Kassie into her jacket like she would every morning. I took another sip of my vanilla coffee before kissing Kassie’s forehead and letting her go. Chelsi collapsed onto the chair next to mine, placing her head in her hands.
“We can’t pay these bills,” she sighed out, tossing the pile of bills my direction. I placed my newspaper down to take a quick glance at the papers. I rested my hand onto her chin, lifting it to face me. Her shining blue eyes stared at me for a few moments, never losing contact.
“We’ll figure it out,” I replied, engulfing my beloved wife into my arms. Her sweet peanut butter smell went right to my nose.
“Just enjoy your day at work. I’ll sort it all out,” she nodded, standing from the table, giving me a kiss goodbye, and going into the garage.
I heard the door open, and then close again. I sighed, standing up and walking into my office. My computer desk was pushed up against the wall right next to the window. The room was going to end up being the baby’s new room, as it was already painted blue. I was self employed for now, or at least until I could get a real job at the office.
I opened up my laptop to start my morning work. At noon I’d fix myself lunch, and then once again return to my personal business on my computer. As I typed up my plot summary, my cell phone started to ring. I stood from my desk and crossed the room and into the master suite. I unplugged my phone to Chelsi’s name.
“Hello, beautiful,” I chirped into the phone.
“Have you figured anything out yet?” she asked quietly.
“I’ve emailed as many people as I could think of and asked for an early publishment, but they can’t promise anything.” I replied, sorting through some loose papers on my desk.
“Okay, just let me know. I have to go, bye. I love you.”
“I love you too, dear,” I said, ending the call and walking back into my office. I fell into my chair and glanced at my computer. I had an email. I opened it up, figuring it was just another publisher who denied me. Instead, I was very wrong. The email said,
Dear Chad Collins,
So, you can’t pay your bills? I know exactly how to fix that problem, but it’ll cost you. Not money, or else my tasks would be uttered useless. No, find your wife. She’s fine, for now. In order to get your wife back safe and sound along with the money you need, you have to follow my tasks. The first task will be easy. Just to put you on track. Your first task is to go to 138, Maple Street in Manhattan. Once there you have the rest of your instructions. A GPS link follows… Good luck, and just remember that lovely smile of Chelsi’s. You do want to see it again, don’t you?
My fist clenched reading this email. This guy was insane. If I were to call Chelsi right now, she’d pick up in an instant. Right? I couldn’t second guess myself. I had to call. I redialed her number, letting it ring, but instead it went right to voicemail. I had to go. I had to go to this address.
I ran outside and quickly started the car, going in the direction of the address sent to me. The house was a dump, basically falling to its last wall. I slid in through the crack in the door, and went into the first room. There on the table was a deep red tinted note, and a large butcher knife with a freshly sharpened blade. The note read:
Chad, it seems you were interested in attending my search for your wife. Well, first thing is first and that is what this knife leads to. When you pick up the knife, an alarm will start. You must cut off one limb before the three minutes is up. If you fail to complete this mission, the timer will dial the cops to track you. Happy cutting!
I glanced down at the knife, contemplating on what to cut off. Of course I was crazy and this could possibly be a scam, but I had to do it for Chelsi. Before I started to cut off a limb, I searched the cabin for something I could make a good tourniquet out of. Of course the house was stripped clean. I’d have to use my shirt. I ripped off my shoe, deciding on my big toe. I rested my foot on top of the table, readying myself to grab the knife. I took in one last breath of air before picking up the knife. A loud alarm sounded, and then started counting down. I tried my hardest to ignore the pain and keep the cut clean, but of course it was utterly pointless.
With a minute left on the clock, it fell off. The toe hit the floor as my blood soaked around it. I ripped off my long black sleeve and started making a tourniquet from it. I slid my sock on quickly, leaving the house and driving a few blocks off. I sat back on my seat, when my phone buzzed.
Ah, yes. The big toe was always a favorite to you wasn’t it? You made a very wise choice in continuing the hunt, though. Your next task is going to be quite a rush. You live in New York, drive like a Brit. Yes, I do mean on the left side of the road. You must make it to the Snake Tunnels, which is a five mile drive, without crashing. Can you do it? If you deny this mission, I can promise you more loss in your lifetime.
I sighed, realizing the risk of driving towards the Snake Tunnels. It was an extremely busy road, mostly full of truckers. But, I had to do it. I had to be stronger than ever to do this. I lighted up my engine once more and started towards the tunnels. I took the opposite exit I was used to, and waited. No cars were in sight for a while, until a monster tractor trailer started flying down.
“Here goes nothing,” I muttered to myself, hitting the gas pedal. I began swerving in and out of traffic. Horns were being hit every ten seconds it seemed. The five miles just dragged, never seeming to end. Finally, I saw the exit that led to a back road. I could pull over there and find my way out. That was until I noticed the police car in the other lane. I pressed harder, turning down the back road and jerking around in the rocks. I knew a motel was around here that I could hide in for a bit.
I pulled into a motel about two miles out, inspecting my car. Seven dents total on the entire car. It was pretty impressive for my driving. I walked in and bought a room. I went to the third floor and unlocked my door. Outside my window I could see all the accidents that had occurred on the road. Maybe I was done. I just needed the last location message and I could find Chelsi.
You’ve been doing so well, Chad. I couldn’t be prouder of you. Wait, I’ve never been proud of you. You’re next task is quite the mission. The water tower on 36th street, go to it. Be there before sunrise. At the bottom is a key that leads to an abandoned warehouse right down the road some more. You could possibly find your wife there. Maybe even a small child?
They couldn’t, they wouldn’t. Did they really kidnap Kassie? I clenched my fist. I had to hurry up and find them before sunrise. It’d all be a waste if I didn’t. I left the building and got into my car, speeding to find the water tower. I hadn’t a clue what it looked like and how deep it could possibly be. But, I answered all my questions as I pulled into the tower. It was about fifty feet into the air, and about ten feet deep, or so it looked. I ran over and pulled myself up the metal latter. My fingers became numb as I arrived at the twenty feet mark, but I had to continue. I had to get this key. I made it to the top and stripped to my boxers. I looked down at my wrapped up toe. I had to take off the tourniquet. I leaned down and pulled it off, watching drops of my blood hit the water beneath.
I inhaled deeply and dove down into the crystal water. The water hit my skin like a dozen needles. I poked my eyes open to see the key shimmering off of the sunlight outside. I kept going down until I felt it nip my finger. I plunged my hand further down until I had a firm grip onto the key. I kicked off the bottom and swam back to the top.
“I have to hurry,” I muttered, catching my breath and getting out of the water. I put my dry clothes back on and started back down the latter. My left foot lost balance, due to my missing toe, and slid. My arms could only hold so much until the collapsed as well. My body fell for a few feet, and then I caught balance once more. I carried my weight the rest of the way and limped to the car. My phone buzzed, an unknown number showing up. I answered the call, keeping my eyes open for the warehouse.
“Hurry, daddy. The water, it hurts.”
The phone line was cut short. It was Kassie. I knew it. She was drowning, in this December air. I sped up faster, eventually finding the warehouse. I opened the door and sprinted in. There on the wall was a tank filled nearly to the top with snow. I ran up to the tank, punching it with my might, when a voice interrupted me.
“You turned into a great man, boy. Too bad so many people suffered because of you.” The voice cracked. I turned around to see a man in his late 60s standing behind me. His gray hair was a mess on his round head. He had dark greens eyes that made it had to even find his pupils. He looked so familiar to me. He looked like me.
“Dad?” I questioned.
“Of course. You see, you were a terrible child. You never listened to me growing up, and then your mother died in that blizzard. And it was your entire fault.”
“No! I was too little to help her,” I yelled.
“She’s dead because you are a useless, weak, little boy! I will not let her death go unsolved. I want you turned in for what you did. I want you in prison for the rest of your life. Your wife, daughter, and unborn child will all suffer without a father.”
“No! You will not harm my family!” I finally yelled, pushing him over the edge of the balcony. His fingers gripped to the icy ground, his pleading eyes looking up into mine. “Join mom.” I muttered, walking over to the tank. As I walked away I could hear his faint yells for help calling for me, but I ignored him and continued.
The glass tank was just as tall as I was, maybe even a foot more. It looked really solid as well. I gave my hardest punch, watching the glass crack. I kicked it harder and harder until it broke. Piles of snow came out, along with my wife and dear daughter. I picked up my daughter, cradling my jacket around her, and then grabbed my wife. I engulfed my wife. I held onto them both for awhile, and then called for an ambulance. We waited about thirty minutes and then were transferred to the hospital. My toe was given the proper treatment, along with Chelsi’s frost bite. Luckily Kassie was fine.
Dad never actually fell to his death like I had hoped for. Instead, the police showed up first. They caught him as he went hurdling towards the pavement. I explained everything that happened, even my maniac driving towards the Snake Tunnel. Chelsi was able to convince the police to not take me to jail, and instead gave me a very enormous fine. I should’ve been upset, but I wasn’t. I understood I had to be punished, and more money had to go into the unpaid bills pile at home.
I know now I’d do anything to help my family. My eight stories were published admittedly following the events and we were able to pay off everything. Kassie had the best Christmas of her life, at least until she was a teenager and wanted every electronic on Earth. But, in the end I learned I’d lose anything for my family. Even my big toe.