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Chapter Eighteen
Tyson
Ifrownedatmyphone, staring at the string of unanswered text messages. I hadn’t been worried when Ellie left without saying anything last night. Wren had told me she needed some space and I understood. But something this morning nagged at me and I couldn’t get a hold of her.
I ran a finger over my mouth, the memory of our kiss making them hum with electricity. I’d never kissed someone like that before, and I was still shocked it had been with Ellie. And more than that, it felt like it meant something. I wasn’t about to let her go on and pretend like it never happened.
My fingers typed out another text. I knew she needed some space, but I needed to know she was at least okay. That same feeling I’d gotten last night when I couldn’t find her at the gala washed over me; a sinking feeling that something wasn’t right. After waiting a while longer with no answer from her, I decided to call.
It went straight to voicemail.
I cursed, hanging up and trying not to panic. There was no reason to panic, but something made me uneasy. I dialed another number, it was answered within the first couple rings.
“Hey, Ty. What’s up?”
“Wren, have you talked to Ellie since last night?” I asked quickly.
She paused. “Uh, no.”
“Have you tried to get a hold of her?”
“Um, I sent her a couple texts last night and this morning, but she hasn’t answered yet. That’s not unusual for her though.”
I clenched my jaw. “Okay.”
“Is everything all right?” She sounded concerned now. I didn’t need to be freaking other people out over nothing…if that’s what this was.
“Yeah, it’s fine. I was just trying to get a hold of her.”
“Ty,” she said, her voice soft. “She said she needed some space.”
“I know.” I ran a hand through my hair that was still messy from what little sleep I’d managed to get. “Thanks, I’ve gotta go.” I didn’t wait for her goodbye before hanging up. Sliding my phone into my pocket, I immediately headed toward the stairs.
Ellie might need space, but I needed to make sure. I needed to see for myself that she was okay. Whatever this feeling was, it wasn’t good.
I sped all the way to the Liles’ property. I parked and hopped out of the Jeep, making a conscious effort not to run. I had no reason to believe something was wrong. Not yet.
I walked up the front steps, the old wood creaked under my feet. I glanced at the few steps up to the small landing, then at the wooden ramp built out from the side. Some spots needed mending and the wood needed resealed soon before the whole thing rotted. I made a mental note to take care of that as I approached the door and knocked.
No answer.
My muscles tensed as I knocked again, harder. Still no answer. I gazed around the property. Ellie’s vehicle was parked where it always was. She had to be home. I knocked a few more times to be sure before I tried the doorknob. It wasn’t locked and I stepped inside.
Immediately, a cold, dreadful feeling washed over me. My hair stood on end and I knew something was definitely wrong. I’d only felt like this once before in my entire life.
I swallowed back bile creeping up my throat, fighting the pure panic with it. My hands shook and I clenched them tight as I stepped toward Ellie’s room, calling her name with no response.
I flattened my palm against her door, taking a deep breath and steeling myself before I pushed it open.
The room was empty.
I scanned the space quickly, not even seeing the cat. I turned and walked out, not feeling any sense of relief as I made my way to the other side of the trailer toward Charlie’s room. His door was ajar and I pushed it the rest of the way open.
Ellie was laying in the bed, wearing the beautiful, sparkling dress from last night. Her arms were wrapped tightly around Charlie. My heart lurched as I glimpsed his pale face peeking out from beneath the covers. Even from here, I knew he was no longer with us.
My eyes didn’t linger on him, snapping immediately to Ellie. She was breathing, at least. Though she seemed impossibly still. I walked into the room, trying not to scare her even though she must’ve heard me yelling her name.
As I neared the side of the bed, I noticed her eyes were wide open. They were bloodshot, but otherwise dry. No tears in sight. My heart broke.
