AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A million pleas.
And nothing.
Not one person could tell me where he was being held. Not one receptionist or officer could reveal sensitive information about an ongoing case.
I hadn’t wanted to return to Port Douglas.
I’d fought when my parents had packed my bags and ushered me into their Jeep, all while I remained glued to my phone, ringing numbers like a madwoman, my desperation unravelling into something manic.
I couldn’t remember the journey home or why they’d even brought me here. Something about them having to work. Something about me not being safe to leave on my own. Something about sticking together so we could bring Aslan home.
I didn’t care about university.
I forgot all about my classes.
I was in a fugue.
A fugue of panic and regret where I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, couldn’t stop ringing agencies and government numbers over and over and over again, screaming Aslan’s name, demanding to have him returned to me because it’s all my damn fault!
My tattoo had healed enough to remove the Saniderm bandage.
My neck felt empty from my missing sea lion necklace.
Pinprick wounds dotted my palms from clutching Aslan’s shell so tightly as my last link to him. But no matter how many times I whispered into the singing shadows of its conch, no matter how many times I begged, cajoled, or threatened, it didn’t bring him back.
It didn’t help me find him.
It was just a shell.
A useless, pointless shell just like I was a useless, pointless girl who couldn’t get anyone to talk to her!
“You there, ma’am?”
“Yes,” I snapped. “Put me onto someone who’s dealing with the Aslan Avci case.”
“Just like I told you yesterday and the day before that, there is no one by that name being processed.”
“Aslan Kara then.”
“Nor that name.”
“You have to know something!”
“Don’t get irate, ma’am. I’m only trying to help.”
“But you’re not. Not at all! I can’t let him go, do you hear me? I won’t. Get me someone who’s in charge! It’s an emergency. He can’t be deported. I’ll sponsor him for his visa. We’re engaged. Just give me the paperwork, and he can become Australian by marriage!”
“Ma’am, you really need to talk to someone else. Try calling Department of Home Affairs.”
“I did that. I’ve spoken to them twenty times.”
“Then I can’t help you.”
“Wait—”
“Goodbye.”
“ARGH!”
