1

Elijah hopped out of the car and ran up the stairs skipping a few with each step. As he got to his parent’s apartment he held his hand on the doorknob, scared to turn it and confirm what he already knew in his heart.

She’s gone, isn’t she?

And it’s my fault.

A figure touched him on the shoulder, causing his soul to jump out of his body momentarily. It was his Dad back from a long shift.

“Woah, why are you so jumpy?” He scanned Eli’s face concern washing over his own. “What is the problem, dog got your tongue?”

“Dad, I have something to tell you,” He opened the unlocked door and walked inside revealing a mess of a living room. “Mom is gone.”

“What do you mean Elijah, did your mom see this mess?” He placed his things down and walked towards the kitchen table, picking up a black envelope in the process. “What is this, an invitation?”

“No Dad! Mom got kidnapped.” Elijah walked near his Dad and reached for the envelope in his hand. “I went against your wishes and got involved in the investigation, and the psycho killer kidnapped Mom!”

His Dad let go of the envelope and pulled out his phone dialing his wife.

No answer.

Again. No answer.

Panicked, he started to dial the police. Before he could get the last number out Eli stopped him.

“The police are here. I just need you to trust me.” He urged.

“Elijah, I don’t. And when we get your mother back, and I mean when we will discuss how to deal with you.”

“That’s fair, but can Detective Diaz come in?” Eli gestured towards the door.

Opening it Mr. Elliot let the other officers including some forensic scientists in, and they began searching the living room and kitchen. Before Diaz could enter fully he punched him square in the jaw.

“That is for endangering my wife and my son.”

Police officers ran to stop him, but Diaz held his hand out telling them to stop before speaking. “I understand sir, but I advise we discuss this after we find Eli’s mother. The kidnapper is the real issue here.”

Eli opened the letter addressed to him as the living room became a blur of bodies.

Dear Elijah the enthusiastic,

This is a fumble of your own doing.

I merely executed my word which I gave truthfully. See I’m no monster, no liar. I do want to share this with you. Your mom makes magnificent cookies. So warm and delectable. Just like she was before I knocked her out, dragged her among the floor (to keep my promise of course), and stuffed her in my vehicle before driving to my destination. Can you guess where I am?

It’s very clear to see.

I anticipate you will find her. And don’t worry I won’t harm your precious mom. I just wanted to get a very clear message across to you.

That when you aim for the moon you shall get scorched by the sun in the process.

Unimpressed,

Mr. Q.

P.S.

I am not lazy. I am simply an opportunist. You, my friend, could learn a few things about timing. Also, your mother is a fabulous baker. I might have to stop by more often.

Eli scanned the letter amidst the riot in his house. He scanned and searched until Diaz had to grab him by the shoulders. And urge him to look up.

“We’ll find her, and it's not your fault, anyone can see that clear as day. Pass the letter here let’s see if I can help.”

“That’s alright. I solved the letter. I just don’t know if I should tell everyone, though. Someone here is untrustworthy, like, how did he even get my address? I’ll show you because you asked, but that’s it. We can’t have this thing leaked and she ends up dying for it.”

2

How peculiar.

She is something, to say the least. Turning the corners as if a circle was her destination. You know, I often ignore the colors around me but I never thought to see someone so plain in my sight. It's almost endearing. I wonder if she knows how special she is.

Is it crazy to follow her across town? I mean I don’t do this kind of thing. It is rather unbecoming and unlike me to succumb to my instincts and follow someone, anyone around. To match the pace of her walking, and duck out of her peripheral is quite exhilarating.

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Am I a stalker? A watcher of women?

I guess now I am.

Is it wrong that it feels like second nature?

She is nimble, ducking corners and checking her surroundings. It would be strange if I just took her.

Can I just take her? No, I couldn’t. I should

Maybe I won’t keep her long. But she enraptures my thoughts.

I doubt I will be able to sit still knowing someone so clear and pure is out there.

She is like smoke. How rude of her to make it easy. How rude of me to want her.

“Hey, Mr. I think this is yours. I turned and it seemed you dropped this,” the Damsel placed the paper from her hands to his, giving him a warm smile.

“Thank you. I wonder why this fell out of my pocket. Right now?”

“Maybe the timing is right, If wisdom is telling you something, then it’s up to us to listen to that advice, no?”

“This may seem forward but can I buy you some tea, maybe hot chocolate? On me.”

“I would but I am running a bit late. I work at the observatory up the block if you are interested in stars.”

“To be honest, I had no interest in the colors of space until now, but here,” the man pulled out a pen and wrote a note on the previously fallen paper,” smiled and tipped his hat, before walking away.

The woman waved and looked at the paper as she walked.

Dear “Wisdom,”

If I could describe you. It would be colorless. But that isn’t a bad thing, for I realized that you push out the most vivid sights and sounds from the words that emanate within. Hold on to that.

To color. And new beginnings.

Q.

P.S.

I would give you my number but you are worth the effort. In seeing the stars.

3

Diaz and Eli snuck down the fire escape and into the car. Eli handed him the letter and as they zipped through the winding streets, Diaz looked at E surprised.

“I can’t believe this. He is getting sloppy. This letter was almost spelling it out to you where she is.”

“I know,” replied Eli.

That’s what I’m afraid of.

It’s too easy.

As the duo pulled into the parking lot. They ran through the doors of the “Glass Sky,” the observatory.

“I’ll check around, you ask the lady at the front if they have seen your mom lately,” Diaz urged before running up the stairs to get to the equatorial room.

Eli nodded and rang the bell at the desk to get the woman’s attention.

“Hey Lady! Have you seen a woman in her 40s, short, African American, features like mine?”

“Yes, I have. She and a man went up to the Telescope.”

“Really? Did you see them leave or the man at least?”

“Sorry no, when you get up there can you tell them we are closing in ten.”

Before she could get the rest of her statements out Eli ran to catch up with Diaz.

As he got to the top he saw Diaz reaching under the telescope for something.

“Hey Diaz, what are you doing? The desk lady said my mom is supposed to be up here.”

“Come help!” Diaz screamed causing Eli to jolt and run towards him. As he got closer he saw his mother hanging from the end of the telescope where it was protruding out of the open window.

As Eli got closer, a figure grabbed him from behind.

Before he could yell to Diaz for help, the man injected him with a tranquilizer, dropped his body on the floor, placed an envelope on his chest, and slipped out the door.

“Eli, wake up!”

As his eyes opened, he realized that he was back at home, on his couch. He recognized that the voice yelling at him to awake was his mother and sprung up not believing his senses just yet.

“Mom!” He leaped and hugged her in shock. “I saw you there unconscious, and then as I was coming to help someone grabbed me and knocked me out.”

“Diaz helped me out, I am forever grateful for that, you must invite him over for dinner.”

“Sure, where’s Dad?”

“He is outside on the phone with the police. You should go tell him you're awake, he was worried sick.

As Eli walked closer to the balcony, he heard another voice on the other end of his Dad’s call.

“I understand sir, This won’t happen again, I apologize.”

It was Diaz’s voice.

Why is he apologizing? I should be the one who’s sorry.

“Dad, why are you getting on Diaz? I am the one who is at fault. I endangered Mom and Hope, and myself.”

“Elijah, This is getting out of hand.”

“Yeah, I know. Diaz did nothing wrong though. I would be dead or asleep somewhere if it wasn’t for him. He not only saved me, he dragged us both back here. Why are you punishing him?”

Sighing his Dad looked at his eager son.

“Okay. I got it. See you soon Diaz.”

“What did I say about being impatient? I wasn’t getting on Diaz. He called me to apologize about the danger you have been in. Now, I told him I appreciate the gesture, and for him to come by for dinner in a few days. “

Eli looked at his Dad surprised.

Wisdom, am I too impatient?