After June went home, I checked my messages. Three from Eden, wondering where I was, and two from Tess, who was wondering if everything was okay. As usual, I didn't respond.
I headed back to Tess's apartment. I walked along the dark, wet pavement of the Ruby sector, thinking about her. A voice in my head said that I shouldn't trust her. But my heart kept telling me that I loved her, and she loved me.
But when it all comes down to it...
Do you trust your head, or your heart?
I almost walked head-on into a lamppost, I was so distracted by my thoughts. I knew I came here for a reason, not just for Eden's interview, but for something I was missing. Could it be June? There was the voice in my head again, No, remember what she did to you last time? Remember what he didn't to your family? But the problem was, I didn't remember.
I shook it off, why was this bothering me so much now? June was a good person, with good values and a good heart. She would never have done anything to hurt me or my family.
When I finally reach Tess's door, I knocked and waited for an answer. There was none. I waited for a couple more moments until I knocked again, this time more eager. Still, no one opened the door.
I looked around, Tess's car was still parked in the garages, so she would have to be here. I tapped my foot restlessly on the concrete threshold that separated the outside from the inside of the home. I feel a small vibration coming from my jacket pocket. I got a new message from Eden. It read:
Daniel, I know you probably won't respond to this, but I left Tess's and am now at the hotel. Come home soon, it's getting late.
So Eden was home, safe. He was right, it's getting late. Maybe Tess is asleep. I check my messages again. The only thing that makes me curious is that she sent the last message only three minutes ago. Surely she would have heard my knocking, she doesn't usually fall asleep that fast.
I decide to message her.
Tess, it's Daniel, I wanted to tell you that June is home and I just came by for Eden. I was knocking and figured you were sleeping.
I turn away from the door and shove my hands in my pockets and begin to make my way back to the hotel. I am on the last step when I feel another vibration. A message from Tess.
Don't worry Day, I'm just fine.
It would seem like a normal message from her if she hadn't called me Day and answered a question I didn't ask. I turn around and walk back up the steps. But this time I don't knock, I open the door. It was unlocked, it was unlike Tess to keep her doors unlocked this late at night.
The door flew open. The entire entrance way was trashed. Coats of their hangers, shoes strewn across the floor, broken picture frames. I walked quietly down the hall and checked each room. They were untouched. I made my way to Tess's bedroom to see if she was there.
I opened the door, there was no one there. The sheets ruffled, pillows lay in the floor, blankets scattered over the bed in a tangled mess. But no Tess.
I began to worry. Where was she? Did something happen to her? Why is her apartment a mess?
I searched the apartment and called out her name several times. I made my way back to the kitchen, the food was still sitting on the table, half-eaten. I noticed a small piece of paper stuck to her refrigerator. I went over to read it and gasped. The handwriting was sloppy but I could make out clearly what it said.
Iparis is next.
