Logan

173. I Hope She's Okay

*Ripley's POV*

Two o'clock came and went almost five hours ago, she didn't call and her location was lost somewhere around four am.

I check in and call her phone, she doesn't answer and I try to ignore that nagging feeling.

She said she'd call.

She said she'd call.

I look at my phone over and over, hoping and praying she'd send a text, a meme, something.

I try to watch TV to pass the time.

I call.

Again, I wait, pass the time.

I call.

I wait.

I text Darcy and ask if she's seen Natalie's name or a Jane Doe, to look out for it.

I call again.

The last time I tried to get up I fell, and I saw her horrified look on her face as I lay in a puddle of my smeared blood on the tile.

I call again, no answer.

I call the Madison PD, and I don't feel better when they call back and say my truck is still at Bradley's bar. Of course they ask if it's stolen, and I say no. I tell them if they see anything to call.

Against my better judgement, I don't report her missing. I have to trust she'd call.

I try to sleep but I keep wondering if she's okay, if she's alive.

Where did she go? Is she okay?

I hear the faint sound of an ambulance. I take calming breaths, and I look at the clock. It's 6am, I finally get out of bed and painfully walk to the bathroom. I think, I can probably find a bowl for cereal. I'll just have to agitate things, I don't need to ask for help. Ember and Jax are still sleeping, at least I can hear Jax snoring. I get into the kitchen and I see the plates, bowls, everything is on the counter. All of the utility machines have been moved, even the pantry items are at arm level.

I open the fridge and see milk, good. I also see prepped containers of fruits, vegetables, and some goodies from Alex in a container.

When did she have time to do all of this?

I eat, then put the bowl in the sink after I've rinsed it.

I call her again, no answer. I remember Aeron McTavish's number, so I call him.

"Hello?"

"Aeron-it's, uh, Natalie's father."

"Captain Ripley," he replies.

"You can call me Thomas. Have you heard from Natalie, lately?"

"No, I haven't. I know she had plans to go to Madison, is she okay?" I hear his voice of concern, panic almost.

"I'm sure she's fine, but she was supposed to come home at two, and she never called. Her location dropped around four am, but the PD says the truck is still at the bar."

"I understand," he says, "She's set to come around 7:30 for her first day. I won't have to go in until 9, but if I get there and she's not there, I'll call. I'll have her call you if I see her, okay? Don't worry, I'm sure she's alright."

I take a breath, "Yes, thank you. Please have her get in touch with me if you see her."

I make my goodbyes and hang up, then make my way back to the bed. I sit and try to get comfortable. The minutes pass by slowly, the sunshine is barely coming out. Everything is still gray and blue.

My phone chimes, a text from Darcy.

D: I hope she calls, thankfully, I didn't see her name or a Jane Doe pop up. Do you need me to come over?

Come over? Why would she need to come over? I text back.

Me: I called one of her friends, he said if she doesn't show in a couple hours he'll call.

D: It's going to be okay, I worry with Ellie too.

Me: Does it get any easier?

D: No, sorry.

Me: Thanks.

I debate on sending a heart, but I do it anyway. No harm in that.

D: Anytime :)

I take a breath and I wait some more. It's only 7, I try to sleep more. Calm the nightmare scenarios in my head. I just want her to let me know she's okay. I lay here for about a minute and then I call her again.

Call.

Voicemail.

Call.

Voicemail.

Voicemail.

I throw my phone on the floor, if I can't reach it, I can't obsess.

Ember walks into my room and sees the phone on the floor.

"I can hear you from upstairs, what's going on?" He looks down to see the call log. "She's not answering, is she?"

I shake my head, "Goes to voicemail every time."

"Did you check her location?"

"According to the police, the truck is still at the bar."

"Maybe she hooked up with someone." Ember says, and I rub my face, trying to hide my discomfort.

"I don't want to think that, considering she's kind of involved with one of my guys."

"Come on, you know if something happened to her, you'd have every station lighting up your phone. There's a chance she did meet up with a guy, or girl."

"I don't want to think about that right now. Just, hold onto that for me." I say.

Ember shrugs, "Okay."

I look at the picture of her beside me on the nightstand, from the benefit a couple weeks ago. We look happy.

She looks happy.

I hope she's okay.