20 Days of Chill: Sydney, Australia (Day 20)

Switzerland seemed like a blur. When the plane landed, Reggie got picked up by somebody he had only known through the world of the HooHaa Network, an online network of professionals.

Tamara said she could get him where he needed to go – and quickly. All she needed was an address, and she’d have Reggie there in no time.

He landed in Zurich, sent a quick text that he arrived, threw his back pack on and headed outside, looking for his ride.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a fast-moving car coming to the terminal – a red Mustang that came to a screeching halt. The window came down and Tamara shouted “Get in! Let’s get going!”

Reggie jumped in with no choice – he didn’t have long. All he had was an address of a place in one of the shady parts of town. He didn’t realize there were shady areas in Zurich, but apparently, there are.

Then came the blur.

He remembered the house. And getting jumped. He was searched and tied to a post. He was groggy and barely could move. When he came to, there was Tamara, staring at him.

*WACK!*

A hard slap across Reggie’s face.

“Didn’t you listen to what they said, Reggie? You were supposed to bring what they wanted. You keep disobeying. You keep ignoring it. This can be easy or it can be difficult. Obviously you chose the latter.”

Reggie shook his head staring ahead.

Tamara went to the locks around Reggie’s wrists and ankles and hit a few buttons, causing a couple of beeps. She then set an envelope down on the table next to Reggie.

“This is simple, Reggie. Do what they say or face the ultimate consequences. These people are not ones to mess with. Ever. Do that they say. These locks will release in an hour. Think about what I said. Then follow the instructions in that envelope, if you know what’s best.”

With that, Tamara turned and walked out, slamming the door behind her. The last Reggie heard was the Mustang screeching away as he faded off to sleep.

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

An hour later, the locks released and a groggy Reggie fell to the floor in front of him.

He stayed on the floor for a moment, trying to catch his bearings.

***

Reggie was on a plane, getting ready for the next part of this mission to save his wife. Sydney, Australia is where the tickets were taking him. A long enough trip this would be, giving him the chance to try and figure things out.

Who were these people?

What did he have that he wanted?

How were they getting to people he knew to help put him in bad positions?

He just wanted his wife. He knew he no longer could do this alone. And going to Sydney gave him the chance to get help from somebody he could trust.

He took advantage of the free wi-fi to text his connection.

Reggie tried to sleep as much as he could on the flight. But he’d wake up, hoping it was a nightmare. All he could think about was this whole situation and how to get his wife safely.

The plane landed in Sydney – Reggie’s first trip down under in more than eight years. He dreaded being here. He went off the plane and went through the gate and there she stood. She didn’t look happy, either.

But he knew the reception wasn’t going to be great.

“Hi Kaylee…”

“Don’t give me that. What’s this about? Make it quick so I can decide what I should do.”

“They kidnapped your mother, Kaylee. I’ve been on a chase around the world trying to find out why they want me, what I have to give them … they have your mother…”

“They have mom? Who are ‘they?’”

“I don’t know Kaylee… but they sent me here. I know we’ve had a rocky few years, but you’re my daughter … I couldn’t turn to anybody else.”

Reggie started to break down. He couldn’t control it anymore. Kaylee came up to him and gave him a hug.

“I realize we’ve had problems. But you’re still my Dad … maybe this was meant to bring us together again so we can … save Mom. Come on … let’s figure this out.”

The two walked out of the airport and the night air hit Reggie. His mind cleared some and he knew he needed to work fast, but he also knew that the one person besides his wife that he could fully trust – his daughter – would be by his side.

They walked off to her car … in hopes they can figure this mystery out.

To be continued …

(I’m going to take this moment to let you all know that I am hosting a summer writing challenge – the 10 Days of Heat – which will take place every Tuesday and Thursday in August. I am sure Reggie will be returning then as this cliffhanger keeps going!)

T-shirt for the challenge

I am not sure if anybody is interested in a t-shirt commemorating the 2017 20 Days of Chill, but I decided to create one via Tee Spring in case people would like one. The options are a long-sleeve t-shirt and a short-sleeve t-shirt. The prices are set up so that as long as a couple are ordered, the shirt will be made. If you’ve never ordered from Tee Spring, it’s basically “crowd funded” and if the goal is hit, the shirt is made and shipped directly to the people who backed it.

You can see it here: https://tspr.ng/c/20-days-of-chill-2017-shirt.

If you want a shirt, go for it. If not, that’s cool, too. I’m going to order as I think it would be near to have the shirt, but can understand if others don’t want one.

*****

This post is part of the 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! You can see the 2017 themes by clicking here. 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!