Chapter 6: Old Friends

Chapter 5: Waiting

Chapter 6: Old friends

Joshua barely recognized the woman who stepped out of the car. Yes, he thought, she looked familiar, but was it really her?

"Joshua, darling. You can come out now," the lady called out to him. "No need to hide. I can come and find you. It'll be just like when we were kids!"

Yes, Joshua thought, Charlotte. An old childhood friend. She looked like Charlotte. Was it her?

"Joshua, don't you remember? It's me, Charlotte!"

It was her!

Joshua was relieved. But wait, how did she find him? Or know that he had accessed those records?

Wild thoughts raced across his mind.

No, it wasn't her. It couldn't be. He wouldn't believe it for one moment.

Puzzled, Joshua recollected his thoughts.

Yes, yes. It was her. She had told him to come the pre-destined place long ago, before he had even accessed that data.

How could this be, Joshua thought.

"Joshua," Charlotte called from below. "Let me bring you home. You've been gone for awhile, and everyone's really concerned about you. I'm concerned. You know you're not yourself. Let me take care of you."