Connect Us ✔

Chapter 24

On my way to Maddie, I get the call for the first time. I feel it vibrating in my pocket and when I park the motorcycle, my screen shows me a missed call from a 'Felix'. I don't think about it any further.

Maddie's sitting on a small rock, the big satchel on her back and her legs drawn up to her. When she sees me, she doesn't jump up. She just smiles, waiting until I reach her.

"Hey, bug." I crouch down in front of her. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" Maddie fiddles with the fabric of her shirt. "Maddie, you can talk to me. It's okay."

She nods but still says nothing. I give her time. My phone vibrates again, but I ignore it. Probably not meant for me anyway.

"Did David touch you?" 

At first, she stays silent. But when she nods slowly, without looking at me, anger boils up in me, burning hot like fire. At the same time my throat burns with desperation. Could I have changed it? Could I have stopped it? Of course I could. But I'm too much of a coward. I know exactly how she's feeling, and just looking at her is killing me because I know it's my fault. I'm the one responsible adult, knowing she's in danger and I didn't do anything. Nothing. I'm no better than David.

"Did..." I swallow the lump in my throat. "Did he hurt you?" Maddie doesn't nod this time, but she wipes her eyes with her sleeve, then suddenly sobs.

I run my hand over my face. "It's okay," I whisper and get up. "It's okay—come on. I'll bring you home."

"No..." Her voice is almost panicked, and her arms wrap tighter around her legs.

"No, I don't... I mean, we're going to my house. Is that okay?" She nods slowly. I give her my helmet. She already knows how to put it on. I help her onto the bike, and we leave.

I let Maddie watch her favorite movie on my laptop to calm her down. She doesn't even smile. I go into the kitchen and briefly check my phone to distract myself and calm down a bit. I'm still in shock as I answer my messages.

I work from 10 pm to 8 am this week

Officially to 6, but mostly longer than 8

It's always different.

I don't even know what to answer, so I leave it for now. Michelle sent something in the dance group chat, and a few responded. I don't read the messages. I can't do that now. 

I'm about to lock my phone and get back to Maddie when it vibrates again. The third call from Felix. Maybe I shouldn't answer. I do it anyway, so he won't call again. "Hello?"

"Blair?" a bright voice asks. I stop breathing for a second. Fuck. Great. Awesome. Well done, Oscar. "Hello?"

"Uhm... hi?"

"Hi?" he says again, this time more confused and hesitating. "Who is this? Do I know you?"

"I... don't think so. I..." Jesus, how do I explain this?

"Are you a friend of Blair? Is he around?"

"No. No, he's not here. He gave me his replacement phone since mine's broken. I mean... he lent it to me."

"Oh," he says. "And you are?"

"Oscar."

"Oh!" he says again, just a bit more enthusiastic, like a light bulb went off in his head. "I didn't know he gave this phone to you. He sometimes takes it with him in case the battery on his own runs out. I couldn't reach him, so... never mind, you probably don't care. Uhm... I'm Felix."

"Yeah, I saw that. Your number is saved."

"Oh," he laughs. "Okay. You don't happen to know where he is right now, do you?"

"I don't think he's at work. He told me he works from ten at night to eight in the morning."

"Oh God, I totally forgot he was on night shift this week," he says. "Thank you! Sorry for the bother."

"No problem. Are you his brother?" Shit. Why did I ask that? Shit, shit, shit. Please don't answer...

"No," he laughs a little. "He always says you don't care about his private life. Do you really want to know?"

"Oh my God, I'm so happy you asked. No, I don't. I just wanted to be polite."

"Okay," he chuckles. It's kind of contagious, and I feel the tension leave me. "I'm hanging up now. Have a nice day."