Chapter Three: The Cheskoe Building

It was now Thursday afternoon. The fifteenth of September. “There’s an old building down in Cheskoe.” Lilly explained. “That’s our only option.”

“Cheskoe? That’s an hour long drive!” The brown haired, brown eyed boy exclaimed.

“We know. That’s exactly why we have our new plan.” Alan nodded. “Lilly’s grandparents live there…” I said. “Catch my drift?”

“Uh, no offense Lilly, but I don’t know your grandparents well enough to go to their house or anything.”

“Exactly. That’s why you stay here and cover for us.” I said.

“Wh—How!?” Alan asked.

“OK, Alan. Listen.” We brought out a small white board and a blue marker. I handed Lilly the marker and she drew a small house in the upper left hand corner. “Here,” She pointed. “Is where my grandparent’s live.” She labeled it “Cheskoe”. She drew another house in the lower right hand corner. “And this, is where we are.” Pointing towards the small lower corner house. Alan nodded. I drew another house next to the house where we were.

“This is your house, Alan.” I said, pointing at my drawn house. “Now, you are spending the night at Oliver’s house on Friday.” I said, drawing a line to another little house.

“No I’m not.” He said, confusion on his face.

“You are, you just don’t know it yet.” I said. He looked more confused. “OK, look. My parent’s think I’m at Lilly’s. Lilly’s parent’s think she is at my house. Your parent’s think you are at Oliver’s house, my parent’s think your home. Got it?” I asked.

“Uh… Sort of… But where will I be then? And how will you get to Cheskoe?”

“Oliver’s house, stupid!!” Alan nodded slightly and sighed.

“Fine…” He said.

“And HELLO!? Ryan or Mitchell, duh!” I said, knocking him in the head. I grabbed my cell phone and called Ryan first, he was the softie. “Hey, Ry. I got a little…proposition for you…” I said slyly. I told him that I’d pay him twenty bucks if he drove us and didn’t say a word to Mom or Dad.

“I don’t know, Andy. $20 bucks ain’t that much, I mean, gas and all that.”

“Lilly will give you plenty of gas!” I yelled. Lilly looked angry and then her face got red. Alan was even in the room. “Just kidding! Just kidding! What if… I paid you thirty? C’mon Ry, we’re only 13, we aren’t rich.” I asked again. “You can buy Emily something nice!” I said. Emily was his girlfriend. He sighed.

“Fine. But Andy, I’m not staying in Cheskoe for awhile. You have a few hours and then we’re leaving!”

“OK, OK…” I said bye and then hung up. I nodded with a half-smile on my face. “We’re in!” We all cheered. “Alan, call Oliver to confirm your little play-date.” He looked at me, he almost growled at me he was so mad. He took my phone and confirmed. “We’re set!” I turned to Lilly. “Lil, we’re going to Cheskoe!!”

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

We all met up in our usual spot. “All set for Oliver’s house.” Alan said. I smiled.

“Awesome, we’re ready to go.” I said. We waved goodbye as Alan got on the bus, Oliver’s route to go straight to his house. Lilly and my backpacks were FILLED. We had our “spy gear” which included several things such as a “spy-ear” which lets you hear things louder when you put it up to a wall. They had an extra pair of clothes, just in case. They also had a hat and a sweatshirt or hoodie each. They had sunglasses, jackets, and some snacks and water bottles. Even our walkie-talkies and some extra batteries just in case we lose each other or have to split up. Alan chipped in $10 dollars, so that helped towards our payment to Ryan. We each paid $10, which wasn’t so bad, about a good week’s allowance. Lilly and I took all of our allowance that we haven’t spent already with us. We each had about $30 worth, which we hoped was more than enough. $60 all together better be more than enough for a trip to Cheskoe. But hey, better safe than sorry. We were ready. I called up Ryan as we walked down Broad ST, near Lilly’s house where Ryan was supposed to meet us.

“Ryan, we’re ready. Where are you?” I asked.

“Goin’ down 5th ST. I’ll be there in a second.” He said, and hung up. I nodded towards Lilly. I could tell she was nervous. We always practiced doing this sort of stuff when we were little kids. This was the real deal. Lilly put on a super fake smile, but as her best friend, I’m required to know what’s up. I put my arm on her shoulder.

“It’s OK, Lil. Don’t worry. I got your back.” I said reassuringly. She smiled, real this time. Ryan pulled up in his SUV. It even had a DVD player in the back!

“OK, Andy. C’mon, let’s hurry. Money?” He asked. I handed him the 30 bucks in 10s. He nodded and put it in his pocket. “Let’s go.” I pulled out a DVD. Lilly smiled wide. Step Up was her absolute favorite movie. Not just for the main actor, but for the dancing too. (That’s a joke between us!) We watched about an hour through and figured we’d watch the rest on the way back. When we got to Cheskoe, we stepped out of the car. It was like a whole other world out here! It was right next to the shore of Lake Superior, and it was beautiful! We couldn’t believe it! It was only about… Oh, 75 degrees, not just yet warm enough to swim for us. But there were a few people enjoying the water, and little kids splashing on shore. We longed to be there, splashing in clear blue water and enjoying the sun. Summer was almost over now so we already had some shivery days. Today would probably be the last nice day for awhile. Lilly was drooling because she wanted to be there so bad.

“Lilly… As unfortunate as it is, we gotta get going.” I said.

“OK…” She said sadly. “Let’s go…” She wiped her chin from the drool and our mission was set.

“Hey, Andy!” Ryan called. I turned around. “I’ll be walking around here. Just call me when you’re ready!” I nodded and he gave me thumbs up. “Not too long, now!” He added. I nodded again and we continued our walk.

“Lil, I think we should check around the city. You OK with that?” I asked. She nodded and held up her walkie-talkie. I grabbed mine and we turned them on. I walked to the right, Lilly to the left. We were on our journey to the Cheskoe Building.

We didn’t know much about that building. Actually, we knew nothing. Well, except the fact that it was old. I didn’t know a thing about Cheskoe. It was all up to Lilly. I wandered around for about 30 minutes before I heard Lilly on the walkie-talkie.

“Lil?” I asked, pushing the little black button on the side. “You there? I couldn’t understand you.”

“I think I’ve found it. But…” She said. She was whispering though.

“Really!? Where at?” I exclaimed, too excited to notice something was wrong.

“Andy, I wasn’t done!” She said.

“Where is it!?”

“ANDY!” She screamed; A scream as she was whispering, so it was quiet. I paused to let her talk. “I’m in a little bit of…trouble around here.”

“What?” I asked. Now I was worried. “Where are you? What’s going on?”

“Um… Just come over towards…Central Park.” She turned it off. I kept yelling for her and finally gave up. I was going to have to find Central Park on my own. I wandered some more and finally found a big gate that said “CENTRAL PARK – Cheskoe City”. I walked through the gate to see more little kids, running around and playing on the swings. I looked around for Lilly, but couldn’t find her anywhere. I started walking, maybe she was deeper in the park. I saw her peek around a HUGE tree and wave for me to come over. I walked slowly, so she wouldn’t be noticed with whatever she was doing.

“Andy! I’m in a little trouble…”

“What!?” I whispered back.

“Some guys saw me snooping around the Cheskoe building and—”

“You found the Cheskoe building!?” I asked excitedly.

“Shh! Yeah, but let me finish!” I nodded quickly as a ‘Go on’. “OK, they saw me snooping and started yelling and then started chasing me. I had no where to go but the park because every where else was so empty. Something’s up about that building. I’m thinking its far worse then Mr. Janks’ disappearance.” Lilly finished. My jaw dropped. She HAD to be right. I sighed. I knew what she was about to say. “Andy, you gotta go and check it out. I can’t, they already saw my face.” She was breathing heavily so she had to be serious. She was really scared, I could tell. She worried me a little.

“OK. I’ll do it.” I said confidently.

“Take the back entrance to the sidewalk on the outer edge. The Cheskoe building is down the sidewalk a ways but walk to the first LEFT HAND corner you see.” She said, emphasizing ‘Left hand’. “Go down the alley. Turn RIGHT at the corner, which then you’ll see the Cheskoe building. BUT, if you see men standing out there GET AWAY. As fast as you can, and if they see you, DO NOT let them see your face, got it?” I was freaked out, but I nodded and walked out slowly. Nobody saw me get out from behind the tree, which was good. I ran towards the back gate, as Lilly explained. I saw the outer sidewalk and continued to walk on it until I saw the left hand alley. I slowly and carefully walked down it. I was cautious of the things around me. It smelled horrible! I pulled my shirt and covered my nose with it. I walked to the end and turned right. There stood the Cheskoe building.