AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The girl's nose twitched and she gave me a disdainful look, but checked the register without a word. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't see her listed here. Everyone who enters is required to leave their membership card at the desk, so I'd know if she came through."
"Are you sure?" I glanced up at the clock. Seven thirty. Right on time.
"I'm positive," she said, less friendly. "You want to check yourself?"
Shaking my head, I moved over to one of the benches by the large window looking out to the main square. By seven forty, I was growing concerned. I pulled out my cell phone and punched in Peyton's number.
After five rings her voice messaging came on and I left a brief message. By seven fifty I was getting worried, and by eight, I grabbed my duffel bag and headed out. I debated whether to call Anadey or the police, but decided to wait to see what Rhiannon had to say.
I crossed the campus to the Grove, the main eatery at the school, and called Rhiannon on the way. "Listen, can you meet me early? . . . Yeah, the Grove, it is . . . I don't know if anything's wrong but I don't have a good feeling about this."
As I hung up, I entered Brekhart Hall and took the stairs down to the bottom story. The halls were wide and welcoming, if old, and made me wish I'd been able to attend here when I was younger. But those days were long past.
Maybe you can attend a night class or two, a community-sponsored class, Ulean said.
Maybe . . . but with what's going on, I'm not too sure that's a good idea.
The Grove was a pleasant, airy room. In place of long dining tables stood dozens of square tables, each sitting four to six people. The atmosphere definitely felt more restaurant than cafeteria. The average age of students seemed in line with what I'd read--early teens to mid-twenties. And all of them felt tingly with energy.
Rhiannon came rushing in just as I picked up my order--a triple-shot mocha and a sausage and cheese breakfast sandwich--and slid into the seat opposite. She was shivering.
"Let me get hot coffee--it's snowing hard." While she hurried up to the counter, I tried Peyton again. And again, no answer. Now I was getting seriously freaked. Peyton didn't strike me as the type to blow off an appointment without calling.
When she returned, Rhia was carrying a white chocolate mocha, a bowl of oatmeal, and two hard-boiled eggs. She slipped out of her coat and took a sip of the steaming mocha, her eyes closing in gratitude.
"Cripes, it's cold out. But this makes me feel almost human." She let out a long sigh. "What's up?"
"What's up is that Peyton didn't show and I can't get her on the phone. I tried calling her several times. Nothing."
Rhiannon's expression dropped. "Crap. Have you called Anadey?"
"I was waiting for your advice. I don't want to scare her in case it's just car trouble. But Peyton had my phone number and I'm sure she would have called me if it had been that."
"Unless she forgot her phone at home. But then, Anadey would have answered when you called, wouldn't she? Give her a call. She won't be at the diner yet--she usually works afternoons and evenings."
While Rhia warmed herself with her coffee, I phoned Anadey, who answered on the second ring.
"Cicely? Why hello--I thought you were with Peyton."
"She was supposed to meet me this morning for a workout, yes, but . . ." I paused, not knowing exactly how to phrase it.
Just say it outright, child. That's the only way you can. Ulean's calming presence helped and I cleared my throat.
"Peyton never showed and she hasn't called. I thought maybe she forgot her cell phone at home and has had car trouble?"
Silence. Then, a soft but audible gasping for air, as if someone had knocked the wind out of her. "No, she had it with her when she left. She was fully intending on meeting you, Cicely. I think I'd better call the police."
"Do you want me to come over? Rhiannon has to work, but I can be there in ten minutes." I pushed back my chair.
"Would you, please? Though I don't know what good the cops will do. They aren't helping anybody much lately." She gave me her address and hung up.
I turned to my cousin. "Peyton left home with her cell phone, all right. But she hasn't checked in. I'm headed over there now. Anadey's calling the cops. I'll give you a ring and let you know what's going on after we talk to them. And, Rhia . . ."
"Yes?" Her brow pinched as if she were trying not to cry.
"Be careful, okay? Don't leave campus without calling me. Too many people are disappearing lately."
I grabbed my coffee and sandwich and headed for Favonis on the run, trying to dart between the tiny, stinging flakes that were whipping down from angry skies. By the time I go to the car, I looked like I had a horrible case of dandruff. Sliding behind the wheel, I let out a long sigh. Today was starting off on a very bad note.
