Those were pretty much Evan’s words to me and I get what he’s saying, I really do. He’s probably right. We are too young to get so serious so fast. But I’m not ready to give up on us now. I can’t. Being away from Nick, even for a little bit…
Makes me nervous.
What else is making me nervous is running out to that parking lot and grabbing my bag. I cracked open the blinds only a few minutes ago, contemplating whether I should attempt going outside or not. Nick’s keys rest on the kitchen counter. It would be easy enough to grab them, go out to his truck and unlock his door so I can grab my stuff. He’s still asleep, I can hear him breathing deeply all the way in the living room and I don’t want to disturb him.
It was so hard leaving the bed too. He’s so warm and cozy and with us locked away in his bedroom, no one disturbing us, it feels like we’re in our own little world. He wouldn’t wake up and I didn’t want to disturb him since he seemed so tired, falling into such a deep sleep he hardly moved.
Eventually, I got too antsy laying there, my mind filled with possibilities, many of them unpleasant. I finally crawled out of bed, unable to take it any longer. And now I’m dying to take a shower. I need to get ready so we can leave for the bus station. Evan has already texted me twice, asking what’s going on, and I gave him noncommittal answers both times because really, I have no idea what’s happening.
All I know is that I have to leave Nick. And I don’t want to.
A woman appears in the parking lot, accompanied by two little girls who look a lot like her. She’s holding their hands as she leads them to her car that’s parked pretty close to Nick’s. Her daughters are wearing bright pink puffy jackets, the color vivid against the otherwise gray morning, and seeing them out there, acting so normal, like it’s any other day, spurs me on.
Leaping up, I grab Nick’s keys and go to the door, unlocking it with a quick twist of my wrist. I’m already dressed and ready to go since I’m wearing yesterday’s clothes and shoes. When I emerge outside, I drag in a sharp breath, startled by the crisp cold in the air. I scurry over to Nick’s truck, looking around me, aware of my surroundings at all times just like my brother taught me.
I climb into the truck and reach behind the passenger seat, snagging the handle of my small bag. Breathing deep, I stay like that for a minute, my knees on the seat, my head bent as I inhale Nick’s scent that still lingers. The woman with her cute girls drives by at the precise moment I finally back out of the truck and shut the door, offering me a friendly wave and I return it, seeing her making my pumping heart ease.
I’m safe. There’s nothing to worry about.
Eager to get back to Nick so I can snuggle with him in bed for a few stolen minutes before I drag my butt into the bathroom and take a shower, I start toward his door, my steps faltering when a guy about my age appears out of nowhere, right in my path.
“Hey,” he greets, his voice easy. Friendly. His entire demeanor is nonthreatening what with that pleasant smile on his face, the hood of his black North Face black fleece jacket pulled over his head, his hands in his jeans’ pockets. He acts like he knows me and I wonder for a moment if we’ve ever encountered each other before.
“Hi.” I come to a stop, my bag slung over my shoulder.
“You lost?”
I shake my head, frowning. “No. Do I look lost?”
“Oh. Sorry.” He laughs. “I’ve just never seen you before. And I know everyone that lives here.”
“Do you live here?”
“Well, yeah.” He laughs again and shakes his head, as if my question was super lame. “Crazy storm yesterday, huh? You doing all right?”
Why would he ask if I’m doing all right? “I’m fine. And that storm was definitely crazy,” I agree, starting to step around him as I lift my arm in a little wave. “See you around.”
Before I can make my way toward Nick’s front door the guy reaches out, his fingers curling around my upper arm and stopping me from leaving. I turn to look at him, slowly disengaging my arm from his gentle grip, wondering what the heck he wants.
“Are you visiting someone?” he asks, his voice low and dark.
Okay. This guy is being sort of creepy. “How is that any of your business? What are you, the plain clothes security guy who prowls the lot?” I’m sort of joking, sort of not. I don’t like how this guy is acting.
His smile and nonthreatening stance evaporate in an instant. He’s scowling, his hands going to his hips. “When there are strangers loitering around the complex, I make it my business.”
“I’m not loitering.” I lift my chin, tilting my head toward the building where Nick’s apartment is. “You’re right. I’m visiting someone.”
“Who?”
I start to walk again, uncomfortable with this guy’s constant questions. “See you later.”
“Hey.” He barks the word out, coming after me to grab hold of my arm and yank me around, his grip tight, his fingers biting into my skin even through the thick fabric of my sweatshirt. “You can’t just walk away from me like that.”
“Let go of me.” I struggle against his hold, panic rising within me. If I screamed loud enough, would Nick hear? Would anyone hear? Is this how Krista felt when she encountered the person who eventually killed her? I’m being completely irrational but this guy is scaring me. “What’s your problem?”
“You’re my problem.” He pulls me close into him, thrusting his face in mine. His dark, angry eyes stare straight into me and I shrink within his grasp, frightened by what I see—which is absolutely nothing. His eyes are flat. Dead. “You and your stupid boyfriend.”
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Who is this guy? What does he want from me? I shouldn’t have come out here, lulled by the supposed safety I saw in the normalcy of the woman walking with her children. I should’ve woken Nick up and asked him to come with me. How could I have been so stupid? He would’ve come with me. He probably would’ve run out here and grabbed the bag and made me wait inside. He’d do anything for me.
But can he save me now?
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” He pauses, the gleam in his eyes growing, the light against the dark vivid. Scary. “Reverie.”
***
I wake up to my bed empty, the space Reverie occupied next to me long gone cold. Sitting up, I run my hands through my hair and look around, my vision blurry, my head fuzzy. Didn’t get much sleep last night.
Not that I mind. I was occupied with…other things.
Namely Reverie.
Heaving a deep breath, I reach over to my bedside table and grab my cell, checking my text messages. I don’t have many, which is normal. There are two from Evan, who I gave my number to before I left with Reverie. He’s asking both times when are we leaving for the bus station and I send him a quick reply, saying we should be there within the hour.
I’ll take a quick shower, we’ll grab breakfast on the way, and I’ll put Reverie on that damn bus myself if I can. I don’t want her to leave but she has to get back to school and work. And I need to put together a quick plan to get myself out of here.
Feeling good, I climb out of bed and go into the bathroom to take care of business. None of the towels are damp and I figure Reverie wants to take a shower before we leave so it’s on my mind to tell her exactly that when I emerge into the living room.
But she’s not there.
She’s not in the kitchen either. There are not many other places she can be in my apartment but I look around anyway, as if she’s hiding from me in some dark corner, ready to yell out ‘surprise!’ when I discover her.
Panic rises within me as I hear nothing but eerie silence. She’s not in my apartment. I throw open the front door and barge right outside in just my sweats and nothing else, my feet still bare, my chest exposed to the cold air and rain. My truck is still there, right where I left it and the parking lot is mostly quiet.
A bag sits in the middle of the walkway, close to my front door. It’s black wi
th a floral print. I remember Reverie bringing something very similar with her when we left her place, a change of clothes she wanted to have just in case something happened and she had to stay with me.
We got our wish. But where is she now?
I approach the bag and pick it up, zipping it open so I can look at the contents inside. The clothes look like something she would wear. I’m fairly certain it’s her fucking bag.
What the hell does this mean? Where did she go?
Glancing around I see nothing unusual, no one around. I immediately call Evan, waiting impatiently for him to answer.
“Have you heard from Reverie?” I ask the moment I hear his voice.
He doesn’t sound that thrilled to hear from me. “She texted me about twenty minutes ago and said you two were on your way to the bus station. Why? Have you left yet?”
“No.” I start jogging back to my apartment, her bag still clutched in my other hand. “I just woke up.”’
“Well, where the hell is she? You two need to get going, it’s nearly ten.”
“I…” I close my eyes, unsure how to say this. He’s going to fucking kill me. “I don’t know where she is.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Evan’s voice blasts at me through the phone so loud I have to hold it away from my ear. “How could you lose my sister you asshole? Where is she?”
“Fuck, I don’t know okay? I’m gonna go look for her right now. I’m sure it’s nothing. I’ll call you right back.”
“It better be nothing dickwad. You better find my sister.” Evan’s on a roll when I hang up on him, cursing me out but I can’t blame him.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit. I don’t know where she is. I don’t know where she could’ve gone. I text her, sending her a quick where are you but she doesn’t reply and I’m starting to panic.
Fine. I’m in full-on panic mode because I don’t know where the hell she’s at. I gotta find her. If something happened to her, I could never forgive myself.
She doesn’t reply to my texts and I head for Hal Benson’s apartment, rapping on his door with such force the wood rattles on its hinges with my knock. He might’ve seen something. Hell, I doubt it but I need to ask.
“What the fuck you knocking like that for, son?” Hal asks the moment he swings open the door. “You ‘bout scared me to death.”
He looks awful, like he just crawled out of bed, wearing a stained white T-shirt and faded blue and white striped pajama pants. His hair is sticking straight up and he scratches at his belly.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you. I’m uh, looking for my friend. She’s about this tall.” I hold up my hand at just below my shoulder. “With blond hair and blue eyes. Really pretty.”
“Aren’t they all really pretty, the girls you hang out with?’ Hal cackles and I push down the frustration that rises within me. I don’t have time for these games.
“Have you seen her?” I ask again. “I think she’s…lost.” I make her sound like a missing pet but damn it, I don’t know what could’ve happened to her. When did she wake up? How long has she been gone?
I have no idea.
“Nope. Haven’t seen any pretty blondes wandering around here lost and alone. Tell her when you find her that’s dangerous in this area. I hope you find her soon.” He slams the door in my face before I get a chance to say anything else and I’m left standing there, unsure of what to do next. I don’t want to call the cops because they’re nothing but trouble but who else can give me the help I need? Hal is hungover so not like I’m going to ask him. He’s useless. I’ve got no one in this godforsaken town except for Reverie and now I’ve fucking lost her too.
Where in the hell is she?
“Hey bro, what are you doing here?”
I turn to find David striding toward me, the same shitty smile he wore yesterday still on his face. He is the last person I want to see. “I could ask you the same question,” I mutter.
“I’m just checking in on Hal, like usual. Poor guy needs me, especially on Sunday mornings. He tends to binge drink on Saturdays for some reason. I guess it’s because he’s off work and has nothing to occupy his mind.” The smile on his face never fades. It’s like he has it glued on. “Were you just in there with him? How’s he doing?”
“I spoke to him for a little bit. He’s fine. A little hungover but he’ll survive.” I run a hand over my chin, a shiver stealing over my skin at the pointed way David watches me.
“What happened to you anyway? You’re definitely not dressed for this kind of weather.” David’s gaze is bright as he looks at me, slowly shaking his head. “I’d guess you just ran out of your apartment. You don’t even have shoes on. What’s the rush?”
“I’m um, looking for someone.”
David frowns, his expression one of perfect concern. “Who you looking for?”
“My friend.” I pause. I don’t want to give this guy any details but I’m desperate. He could help me. “Reverie.”
“Ah, the infamous Reverie.” David nods, as if he’s just ran into her and knows exactly where she is. We’re wasting precious time chatting like it’s no big thing when I need to find her. “Haven’t seen her.”
“Are you sure? Do you even know what she looks like?”
“Blond, cute and pure as the driven snow? Nope, I am positive I haven’t seen her around. But I just got here so…” He shrugs.
“Okay, thanks. I need to go.” I start to leave but David calls my name and I turn to face him, jogging backwards. I need to get dressed and make phone calls. I don’t have time to talk to this asshole. “What?”
“Hope you find her soon.” David grins but his eyes are black. Dead. Uneasiness slips down my spine like ice, making me shiver. “Wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her.” The dark chuckle that follows is bone chilling.
And that’s when it hits me. He knows. This motherfucker knows where she is.
Everything inside of me goes cold and I start for him but he’s faster. He dodges into Hal’s apartment, slamming the door shut and turning the lock with such force I hear the bolt slide into place. I bash my fist against the door, the thin wood seeming to give with my every punch as I command David to open it.
“Open up, God damn it!” I yell, kicking at the door now, smashing my toes since I’m not wearing shoes. Not the smartest move to make but fuck it. It’s like I can’t even feel anything, I’m pumped so full of adrenaline and fear. “Tell me where she is!”
David says nothing but I know he’s in there, which only infuriates me more. I’m pulling out my phone, ready to call the cops and then Evan when the door swings open, Hal standing in the doorway. I have a total moment of déjà vu. Didn’t we just go through this not ten minutes ago? “What’s your problem, son?”
“You’re a liar, that’s my problem.” I push my way inside, calling Reverie’s name as I make my way through the small apartment, looking in every room. The place is a disaster, clutter and trash everywhere, empty liquor bottles rolling on the floor. I kick past them, peeking in the bathroom, in Hal’s room, my hand going for the knob that I know will open Krista’s room when Hal screams at me, making me pause.
“Don’t you dare go in my baby’s room,” Hal says, his voice ragged. “Stay out of there. No one’s allowed inside.”
“Where’s David? Do you let him go in there?” My breathing is harsh, my ears roaring with the sound, my heart pounding so hard it feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest. “Tell me.”
“I told you. I don’t let anyone in Krista’s room.”
“So where is he?” I don’t know if I believe him. I can sense someone is behind that door. I don’t know if it’s David or Reverie or the both of them but I want inside that damn room. I have to see it for myself to prove it’s empty.
“He flew out of the sliding glass door not two minutes ago.” Hal indicates with his hand before he scratches the back of his head. “What are you boys fighting about now?”
“He took my girl.” I go for
the slider and pull it open, walking outside. The yard is small and nothing but mud. And I’m the only one standing on the tiny crumbling cement slab substituting as a patio. David is long gone. I turn to find Hal standing in the open doorway, watching me with bleary eyes. “I need your help, Hal. I need to find Reverie.”
“Reverie? What the hell kind of name is that?” Hal keeps his gaze fixed on me as I walk back into his apartment and shut the sliding glass door. My gaze locks on the door to Krista’s room and the urge to go inside is so strong I can hardly stand it.
“When was the last time you went in Krista’s room?” I ask, making my way there.
“Why, I never go in there. Once, right after she died, I sat on her bed and cried like a baby for hours. It’s sacred ground to me. Too hard for me to go in there right now, it’s just too soon. I can’t take it, seeing her stuff, smelling her smell.” Hal sniffs and wipes at his eyes.
Jesus. I’m going to feel like an asshole if I’m wrong but something is telling me my instincts are spot on. “I need to go in there. I won’t disturb anything but let me at least look, okay? I need to check on something.”
“There’s nothing to check. My Krista is gone.” Hal is full blown crying now, collapsing into a rickety dining chair nearby, the wood creaking from his weight. “I don’t want you in there, Nick. You have no right to be in my baby’s room.”
I defy him. There is just no way I’m not looking in that room. I turn the doorknob, frustrated when I find it’s locked and I slam my shoulder against the wood, again and again.
I’m getting in that room. I’ll feel like a dumbass if I’m wrong but…
I don’t think I’m wrong.
“Stop!” Hal cries, rushing toward me. He grabs at my shoulders but I’m stronger than him and I shrug him off, hitting the door again, my shoulder aching, my arm throbbing. The wood starts to splinter, encouraging me to keep going and I barge into the door at full force, triumph surging inside of me when the frame cracks and the door swings open.
Reverie’s sitting on her knees in the center of Krista’s bed, her arms bound behind her back, duct tape covering her mouth. Her eyes are wide above the strip of metallic gray tape, and I can hear her muffled screams. I rush toward her, my heart stalled in my chest, seeing her like this. “Baby,” I whisper, reaching for her.