I Wanna go Home

Chapter 7 A Hard Day's Night

“Ya mean the bloody police still haven’t found anything?”

“They haven’t found anything solid, but they have a lead.”

Brian sighed as he sat behind his desk in the hotel room. The three remaining Beatles had been kept under close surveillance, just to make sure whatever happened to Paul wouldn't end up happening to the other three. Ringo didn’t seem to upset by it, but both George and John had been getting on Brian’s case to decrease the security running around. Earlier today, Brian had received a call saying there was a lead to Paul’s whereabouts, however that’s all they said. Brian didn’t know it this meant that they knew where he was, why he was gone, or if some other, unthinkable thing had occurred.

“What’s that mean, ‘a lead’?” George asked.

‘I wish I knew,’ Brian sighed to himself, but out loud he simply said, “It means he might be turning up soon, we can hope.”

The three boys were silent, and then Ringo asked, “Do they think he’s alright?”

Brian didn’t know how to respond. He’d asked the police if Paul was well, and they had seemed particularly preoccupied in not answering. “I don’t know.” Brian responded. “I really don’t know.”

---

Paul glanced out his window. It was completely dark, 11:30 at night. If he was to be on the beach at midnight, he’d have to leave now.

Paul tried the door, and was surprised to find it unlocked. He slipped out and then hurried through the square, trying his best not to make a sound.

For a moment, Paul believed he heard somebody behind him, but decided he’d imagined it. There was no noise now.

Paul hurried down a flight of steps that led to the beach and flew through the sand in hopes of shelter in the rocks. He couldn’t shake the unnerving suspicion that there was somebody watching him.

“I’m glad you could make it.”

The whisper surprised Paul and his head flew around to find Number 6 staring at him through the dark.

Paul nodded silently, letting himself catch his breath. For some reason he felt light-headed after his run.

“Now, you claim to be the famous Beatle, Paul McCartney; yes?”

“Yes,” Paul nodded, “I am Paul McCartney.”

“I believe you.” The man said, and Paul almost fainted with relief. At last! “Now,” Number 6 continued, “How did you come to be here? Please tell me the truth. It would make life for the both of us ever so much more convenient.”

“I went out of my hotel room for a breath of air, and then saw a man who looked exactly like me in the alley. He told me to get out of there, and I tried to. However, I didn’t get far before some men pulled me into their car and knocked me out. I woke here.”

Number 6 seemed to consider it, and then he nodded. “Alright,” he said. “I assume those back home have noticed your absence, and you do know the damage the disappearance of Paul McCartney could cause, correct?”

“I’d rather like to think I’m so important, but I’m not sure I follow you.” Paul chuckled despite his fear.

“Mass suicide of fans, upset teenagers and younger girls crying their eyes out, completely horrified. Last time I saw civilization, you and your band were quite popular. I assume things haven’t changed so much.”

“No,” Paul admitted, “Do you really think it’d cause such a disturbance, me being gone?”

“Well it’s hard to know exactly, but you and I would both like to get home, right?”

Paul nodded at Number 6, “Do you have a plan?”

Number 6 studied Paul, and nodded, “As a matter of fact, I’m beginning to form one. You must be careful, though. They have many procedures here to get people to talk you may never have dreamed of. Don’t you go getting on their bad side or neither of us will have a chance. Now, about that plan…”