Project GoldCrest ✓

Chapter 4

Charlotte

I entered school with an unsteady heart. It was beating wildly as if it wanted to thrash out of my chest. My stomach felt like it had sank deep within. The supposedly warm, blue school jersey I was wearing couldn't even stop my shaking.

I made my way to a random wall. I leaned against it and mustered the courage to look around. There was no sign of Henry. I walked around and searched all of the classrooms. Nowhere, I couldn't find him anywhere.

I regretted sneaking out last night. What had I been thinking? What the hell had compelled me to follow Mickey? He knew what he was doing there, and it was none of my business. But I butted in anyway, and now Henry was missing.

Maybe I could ask Mickey. Of course, why hadn't I thought about that? It wasn't too hard to find him. He was still in the parking lot. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs McCartney pulling out of the lot.

I waved to Mickey with a frown on my face. I saw him sigh and hoped he realised he had no choice but to come talk to me.

He moved towards me quickly, and stood only a few centimeters from me. "Charlotte."

"Mickey." My voice sounded trembling even to my own ears. This was all his fault. My anger somehow managed to stay hidden beneath the surface, and I was grateful.

"What's the problem now?"

"I can't find Henry," I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest.

"I told you. Stop worrying yourself about him, he's fine," he told me once again.

How could he be so sure? Maybe he knew something, but decided he wouldn't be telling me. Well, obviously that was the case. If I found out what happened to Henry, I could try to force it out of him later on.

"There's no such thing. They took him. Whoever those people we stumbled on last night took him. And it's our fault." I said and wanted to start crying. It would be pointless if I did. I could already picture the news that evening about a missing teen. I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it.

I'd probably have to tell the police if he didn't show up like Mickey said.

Get it together, Charlotte. I wasn't sure whether it was my voice or my mother's that resonated in my head.

Mickey's face fell. He slowly put both of his hands on my shoulders. Something about that felt right. "Hey, hey. Henry is fine. Okay? Seriously, stop worrying."

His voice sounded so comforting. It would be so easy to just believe him and go on with a clear conscience. But that wouldn't happen, unless I saw it for myself.

"Okay." I said and moved away. I felt wierd about letting Mickey touch me when I had Cole.

"Can I ask you something first?" He put his dangling hands in his trouser pockets. It wasn't a sunny day today, and neither was my mood. The gentle breeze ruffled his dark hair a little. I suddenly thought about when I'd seen him last night with his hair glinting in the streetlight.

What is it he was saying? Right, he wanted to ask me something. I nodded my head, "Okay."

"Have you spoken to Luke and Chloe about all this?"

Should I have? It hadn't crossed my mind at all. "No. Why are you asking?"

"Just... taking precautions. Please don't ever approach them about this. You'd be blowing my cover."

I kept quiet and nodded once. Honestly, I feared Chloe and Luke. As silly as it was to fear people my own age was, I still did.

I reminded myself of when I'd looked at them last night. They hadn't looked my age. And I shouldn't refer to them as people, they were probably something else. Witches even.