Dots and Zeros [Completed]

20. Madeline

It's only six in the morning, but I'm wide awake. I sit up in bed and feel how tired I still am. But it's no use to stay in bed if I can't keep my eyes closed. It's better to do something useful with my time instead.

I stand up and push the curtains aside to reveal the backyard. It's still dark outside, but it seems like the sun has started to come up on the other side of the house. We still haven't gotten around to getting chairs for the garden yet. It isn't a priority, though. It's getting colder and colder as we're approaching winter. We're not sitting outside any time soon.

I put on a sweater over my pajamas and go downstairs. I eat my breakfast in front of the TV. There's nothing interesting this early so the news it is. It's chilly in the living room. The heating isn't on yet, and it's a pretty large room. There aren't any rugs to catch the warmth either.

I'm done eating quickly. I put the bowl in the sink for later. When I walk back to the couch I see I left my shoes under the coffee table yesterday. I pick them up and move them to the door mat. They're the only pair there. Where are Sam's shoes? Maybe they brought them upstairs with them.

I look at the coat hangers. Only their denim jacket is there. Not their normal coat. They wouldn't have... no. Would they? They wouldn't. Right?

Walking towards the stairs to go up I don't see anything leading me to believe they left. Weren't they here last night? When did they leave? I haven't noticed anything. They must have been really quiet if they left. But they didn't. I'm sure they wouldn't do that.

I walk down the hallway. Their door is closed. I slowly push down the handle and peak inside. No one. The bed is empty, and the covers are pushed to the feet's end of the bed. No shoes or coat here either. I rush to my room to check my phone. Nothing. No call. No text. Not even an email.

The bathrooms are empty. Their backpack is gone. Sam is gone. Not a single note on the table or fridge or something. Just nothing. It's like they disappeared into thin air, and I didn't notice a thing until half an hour after I woke up.

I take my phone and call them. The call gets disconnected after a few rings. They must have hung up on me. At least they have their phone with them.

The next phone call doesn't get disconnected. After a minute or two of monotone beeps I get their voice mail. And again. And again. And again. They're not even hanging up on me anymore.

They're out there since who knows how early. With Eugene, they told me. But who else? Is it really just him? They didn't tell me what they were gonna do today. Only that they'd be gone for the entire day.

I haven't even met that boy yet. I could punch myself. I should have seen this coming. Especially after that argument yesterday. It wasn't that serious. At least I thought so. Just a small debate about conflicting interests. Nothing more, nothing less. I sit down on my bed, and throw my phone next to me. My hands go to my hair.

How am I explaining this to my parents?