Fantasy - Mercedes - The Loft (Mercedes)

"Thank you sir." She said gratefully, eyeing him just a moment before she turned on point and hurried the way he had directed. This time keeping note of which way she went and where she had come from to make getting out easier.

This wasn't right. She turned circles, trying to grasp onto something that was recognizable in the slightest. "Mike!" She shouted, knuckles white with her grip on his keys.

Her heart was racing, anger building behind her eyes. What was this place? Why was it hiding things from her?

"Hey!" She shouted at no one in particular, thinking heavily of the man she had met however, "Where is he? I want Mike! I want Chase!"

She glanced around at them, her lips drawn into a thin line as she glared out at them. Though sheepishly she disappeared into the crowd, pursuing another worker at the carnival.

"Excuse me. Could you help me?" She asked, straining to keep her voice sweet and fairly unconcerned.

The hair rose on the back of her neck. "Um... I'm looking for my friend. Mike." She gave him a brief description, "Have you seen him?"

She forced herself to stand her ground. "No. You're not the Mike that I'm looking for." She said, watching him carefully for what he might do to her. "Listen, I'm sorry I bothered you. I'll just keep looking."

She studied him closer. "What do you mean before it takes me too?"

She stood there a moment, frozen in the fear and confusion. But as a shiver shot down her spine, she found herself bolting from him. She didn't care in particular the path she took, only that it took her from him and back to the gate. Back to where she might be safe.

She fumbled to open the car and fell into the driver's seat, slamming the door shut and locking it tight. For a moment, she sat there catching her breath. Trying to pull herself out of the shock. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Damn you Mike....." She whispered in a hushed voice, hating herself for letting him take them here. It was her fault. Taking a breath, she dug around for her phone and dialed the number of the one she trusted most.

It rang. And rang. With no answer on the other line. It occurred to her then that he wouldn't be awake now. Ending the call, she realized there was a message waiting in her inbox. For a minute, she stared at the screen. Staring at the date. Numbly, she selected the contact that had messaged her and pressed 'send'.