Nola

V is Vacant

--Nola's POV--

Zeke has been nonexistent for over a month now. His sister says that's he's okay. She also said that he's being homeschooled now. When she told me that I figured he and I would have more time with each other since I'm homeschooled now, but that hasn't been the case.

I haven't heard one word from him. I haven't seen one rose or little note. I haven't even received a simple text from him. I'd just like any sign that he's okay. That we are okay.

He was supposed to meet me for my doctors appointment yesterday. I told Taylor to remind him. She said she told him, but he never showed.

Daddy went with me. We found out that the sex is a girl. Zeke and I are having a baby girl.

"Daddy can you go tell Zeke? I'm too mad at him. He should've at least told me that he wasn't coming," I tell daddy as he pulls into the driveway.

"Okay love. I'll be back in a bit," he says as I get out.

--Ezra's POV--

There's no cars in Zeke's driveway as I pull in. I'm assuming that his parents are at work. I quickly get out of the car and knock on the door. I wait a good ten minutes and knock a few more times before starting to walk back to my car.

Before I get into the car the front door opens. Taylor steps outside. I shut the car door and head back to the porch.

"Hey Mr. Penniman," she says as I stand in front of her.

"Hey," I reply. "Is Zeke home?"

She nods, but looks away from me. Things get immediately awkward.

"Is he up? Can I talk to him?" I ask.

She shakes her head and turns back around to head back inside. "I'm sorry."

"Taylor-" I start, but she quickly slams the door in my face. "Taylor?" I ask as I knock on the door again. "Zeke...someone..."

"Are you looking for the boy?" A neighbor asks as he walks over to the porch.

"Zeke? Yea. Have you seen him?" I ask as I walk down to him.

"He hasn't left the house for a few weeks. We haven't seen him come or go. We're starting to get worried. He's usually running in and out of the house," he says to me.

We both stare at the house.

"Do you think they sent him away?" The man asks.

"I don't think so. I mean Taylor, his sister, said he's been getting homeschooled. She said he's fine and that he's home," I reply.

"Hmmm," he starts. "Someone should check on him."

"Yea.."

"Well, let us know if you find anything out," he tells me before heading back to his house."

I nod and continue to stare at the house. I then head back up to the door and knock again. Taylor doesn't answer. I look around to make sure no one is looking before I just open the door and head into the house.

"Taylor?! Zeke?!" I shout as I stand in the entrance.

I don't hear a sound. I start to walk around through the living room, the dinning room, and then the kitchen. I then hear a door slam upstairs.

"Taylor?" I ask as I now stand at the bottom of the stairs.

She doesn't reply. I sigh, pray to god I don't get murdered, and walk slowly up the stairs. As soon as I reach the top of the stairs I notice a dresser against a door. I ignore it and walk to the right to Taylor's and Zeke's rooms.

Zeke's room is almost un-lived in. There's a pile of clothes on the floor, his dresser drawers open, and a pile of books on the floor. I slowly step backwards out of the room. When I do I bump into Taylor. I jump in shock and place my hand over my heart.

"Jesus Christ Taylor! You almost gave me a heart attack!" I tell her.

"Sorry," she simply says as she stares at me.

I take a step back away from her.

"What's going on Taylor?" I ask as I point to Zeke's messy room.

She sighs and points to the door with the dresser in front of him. I give her a confused look and walk towards the door.

"They only let him out to use the bathroom. Sometimes they make him wait until the next day," Taylor tells me.

My eyes widen and I quickly move the dresser. I pull the door open quickly and run up the stairs. "Zeke!" I shout as I look around the dusty-crowded attic.

I hear a faint cry from the back of the attic. I run over there to find Zeke laying on the floor with his eyes closed. I quickly scoop him up and run down the stairs, but before I reach the bottom the door slams shut. I hear a locking sound and the dresser being slid across the floor.

I set Zeke down carefully and bang on the door. "Taylor!!" I shout. "Open this door!!" I slam my fists against the door and try to use my shoulder to budge it open.

After several failed attempts I sit defeated on the stairs. I reach in my pocket for my phone, but find it empty. I fucking left my phone in the car. Genius.

Nola knows I'm here. She'll tell Fortune. Fortune will come. He'll come. Zeke and I will be fine. We'll be okay. Everything's going to be okay..