Blank Slate

It was several weeks after I met Lucas that I noticed a recommended article with the title: "Breaking news! US Announced National Assessment. World organizations support it."

"No way! What he was saying is true..." I exclaimed surprised.

This immediately reminded me of Lucas' words: "US and other world organizations are preparing an evaluation challenge."

I read the article and it seems that he wasn't lying. Indeed, it appears that some sort of grand challenge is about to begin. However, there was still not much information about this often so-called "test", including why it is going to take place.

Today was Friday, and, in fact, the news came in handy. I decided to make a move... After sitting on my bed and hesitating, I collected my courage.

I dialed a certain contact on my phone.

Buzz.

"Hi, Helen!"

"Hi."

"How are you?"

"I'm good, not doing anything special... You?"

"I'm alive, well... I've been thinking for a while now about something... Will you go on a date with me?"

"Ha, ha, em... Sure!... T-this is sudden..."

She was clearly nervous but sounded positive.

"Well, why not? How about Sunday?"

"Yeah, sure!" She quickly replied.

"Thank you. Let's discuss details later if it's ok with you."

"Alright..."

"See you."

"Yeah... See you," she replied and I hung up.

Now, let's wait and see.

I inspiredly, looking forward, put the phone down.

Sunday came. We agreed with Helen to go on a date at 5 pm. Regarding location, I chose a small restaurant. It's generally dark, and the reason I chose is that... I like privacy and it may be good for the future...

It is a little past lunchtime now. Birds are singing, and flowers blooming, but suddenly something disrupted my piece.

My phone rang. It said: Helen.

"It's her..." I muttered.

I answered.

"Hello," I said.

"It's your friend, remember me?" the voice said, it was Lucas' voice.

I froze.

Not again...

"Yes, you are-" I carefully said but he suddenly cut me off.

"We kidnapped your friend Helen! Come to the same place as before, or you can't even imagine what we'll do to her," he said aggressively threatening, and the call immediately ended.

"What?!" I almost screamed out loud the next second.

In a hurry, I quickly got dressed and went to The Winchester House. I didn't know what to think and all thought was getting there as fast as I could. Sometime thereafter the same thing as before happened: men approached me, we went to a car, they checked me, blindfolded me, and drove me to the place where Helen was.

The road seemed random again, as the previous time. It took quite some time too, but sooner or later the engine finally stopped.

Once again I came out of the car and observed it.