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The final pieces click into place, and I sag against my Jeep. Irelynn was here, and Vanessa left. I was in the library, asleep.
“Max, did you hear me?” Vanessa’s voice is shrill through the phone.
Shaking my head, I clear my throat. “What did you say?”
“Should I turn around and come back to Pennsylvania?” Her voice is impatient, the stress evident.
“No, Vanessa. Go see your grandma. I’m going to call Darin. I have Irelynn’s phone. Mine is missing. I’ll text and call with updates.” I don’t give her a chance to respond, hanging up and clicking on Darin’s name. I’m so glad I gave it to her in case she had an emergency, because right now, I’m falling the fuck apart and can’t remember Darin’s number to save my life.
“Irelynn? Is Max—”
“It’s me, Darin.” I swallow hard, my hand shaking as I hold her phone. My lungs constrict and I can barely breathe.
“Max? Why are you calling from Irelynn’s phone?” I can hear the confusion in Darin’s voice.
“She’s gone, man. That bastard took her.”
“What?” He hesitates for a few seconds. “Fuck! Where are you?”
My voice cracks. Clearing my throat, I grit out, “The campus commuter lot.”
“Don’t move. I’ll be there soon.” The line goes dead. My hand lowers, squeezing her phone, the only thing I have left of her.
She needed me and I wasn’t there.
I couldn’t save her.
Just like I couldn’t save them.
My mind goes back to another night, four years ago, when I couldn’t save my loved ones. A loud moan falls from my lips, my legs weak as I slide to the ground. Gasping for air, I tilt my head to the sky.
My thoughts spiral into all the things William could do to her.
Rolling over, I vomit on the sidewalk beside me.
Wiping a hand over my mouth, I slowly get to my feet. My throat and mouth are dry, and now the taste of vomit is still in my mouth.
Stumbling toward my Jeep, I grab the bottle of water that is setting in my cupholder, taking a drink.
A few minutes later, headlights blind me as someone barrels through the parking lot. Darin pulls into the space beside me, concern all over his face. He jumps from his Jeep, hurrying over to me, the door wide open and the engine running. His hands grip my arms, studying my face. Despite the wild look on his face, his voice is calm. “Tell me what happened.”
Swallowing hard, I suck in a deep breath. “I had my phone lying on the table beside me in the library. My eyes were so heavy man and I fell asleep. When I woke up about an hour later, I couldn’t find my phone. I searched everywhere but came up empty. I had a bad feeling in my gut…” I momentarily pause. “I practically ran to my Jeep. Yanking my keys from my pocket, I dropped them… and saw Irelynn’s phone.” I hold it out to him, letting him read those texts. “I didn’t get the last one she sent me. I was asleep… and the other, well, we both know that doesn’t sound like me.”
As Darin reads the texts, his brows draw in. “But wasn’t Irelynn with Vanessa?”
I nod. “They went shopping. But Vanessa’s grandma is in the hospital and Irelynn told her to drop her off here.” Turning away, tears of frustration prickle my eyelids, threatening to break free.
Facing Darin, I blink a few times, staring at his wide eyes and ashen face. He is speechless for a moment, realization flashing across his face. Irelynn was here, on this campus, and William took her.
Shame flows through me.I’ve let her down. She needed me, and I wasn’t there for her.
My legs wobble and I turn, sagging against my Jeep, my legs barely able to support my body. Before I know it, I’m on the ground, hitting it hard since I was unaware I was falling. Pain shoots through my body and I groan. But all too soon, it’s gone. It’s no match for the overwhelming sense that the walls are closing in.
“Max,” Darin’s hands grip my arms. “We’ll find her.” He bends down, helping me up. “I’m worried about you, man.”
But I shake my head, not giving a fuck about me. I only care about her.
My voice is hoarse, barely audible, as I look my best friend in the eyes. “I love her, man.” I gulp in a breath. “I love her, and I fucking lost her.”
Darin’s mouth falls open, his eyes wide. “You… youloveher?”
I nod, unable to speak, trying hard not to break. Not to cry.
Looking up at the sky, the stars have disappeared behind a veil of blackness as dark clouds roll overhead.
Just like her, they have vanished.
