Sleep wasn't on my side. The bright light coming from my alarm clock gleamed the time of 1:54. I roll over, hoping to grasp some sleep, but nothing

*Buzz* *Buzz*

I see my phone vibrate and buzz into life. I pick it up, it's just an email. I double click it and it opens, lighting up my whole room. I start to read it and I can't believe what I read.

Hello, Mr. Jason
    

That's all it said. I was so confused. It had come from some email. I clicked the sender and my phone went black. It rebooted and a little message popped up saying it could not be found. This email must be coded.

Another email popped up. From the same sender.

Now Mr. Jason. You won't find me that easily. I'm sure your worried sick about your Cassidy. And in order for you to ever see her again. You need to play the game.

A cold sweat appeared. Is this really the kidnapper, or a dirty prank?

My phone goes off. It's a text message.

Shall we begin Jason?

Who are you? And where's Cassidy?

There's the response I've been looking for. Let's begin, shall we?
Let's start with the first puzzle. You have 12 hours to figure it out, or she dies.

He's going to kill. I'm talking to this crazy freak and he's going to kill her. I have to do what he says. I can't let her die. After everything, she's been through. I can't do it. But how can I trust him?

Fine. What's the puzzle? You better not be joking around or I will find you and kill you so fast, that you wouldn't see it coming.

Now-now-now. That's no way to talk to someone who has the girl you love. I could just kill her now...

I imagine his cocking his gun, her screaming.

NO

That's what I thought.
Now let's get to it.
The rules are, you have the number of hours I give you to solve each puzzle. If you go to the police, she's dead. Tell anyone about this and she's dead. You may use the internet, but it won't help at all.

When do I start?

Now.

The first puzzle is emailed to me.

Pools are blue, roses are red,
If you don't follow the rules,
She will be dead.

Follow the eagle and the direction it points,
To find your next clue, be careful don't break any joints.
The terrain will be rocky,
Don't talk to anyone, you'll find a walkie-talkie
And you must decode it.

Once you decode it, send the message to me,
And then wait, for you soon will see.

I gulp. I take deep breaths for it feels like I'm having a panic attack. I have to do this. I can trust him, but if he's right about having Cassidy. I can't just sit here. I turn my phone off. And with a click, the words go away.

I lay down and look at my ceiling.

I ask myself if I want to do this. To risk my own life, to play by this kidnappers rules.

All I say is

"Yes"