Is This True Love? (DNF)

Chapter 71: The News

George POV.

My breathing began to pick up and I felt every muscle tense up and clench. A pained sound slipped through my lips but before I could find myself staring for too much longer it was turned off, and Clay climbed back into the bed. “George! Don't worry... It’s okay.” He comforted me, hugging me closely with the most soothing tone I’d heard.

Then as I continued to shake he cleaned me and comforted me. “The show… I knew that it existed, but seeing it was…” I tried to explain but struggled to find the words.
“I understand.” He responded. “I feel like it would be a lot to see yourself… see all of the mistakes that you had made.”

I just sobbed in agreement, understanding what it was that he was saying. I was caught off guard and the idea that I would end up having to deal with my life being on screen. While I continued to cry he moved me around, finding a position where he was cuddling me and allowing me to just relax against him.

“How about we find something else to watch?” He offered as I warily rubbed my eyes. “Not anything to do with you… maybe Back to the Future? Or Star Wars?”
“Never heard of them.” I muttered, yet I was too tired to care about what it was we ended up watching so I just let him choose.

“They did restrict quite a lot of the movies that you were and were not allowed to watch.” He muttered as he turned the TV on and began searching for movies. “I don’t know why though… cause what would Back to the Future reveal about your situation?” My brows furrowed yet I continued to remain silent.

“We could also order food though. You didn’t have Burger King, or IHop or Dunkin Donuts… I need to get you trying all of those.” Clay rambled happily, basically planning out everything that he wanted me to do.

There were mentions of a place called Disneyland and six flags. Followed by more mentions of the restaurants that I had never been to that he thought I’d enjoy. It kept going on, and I was continuing to just nod along with partial-interest.

As we were looking through channels though I spotted a video on the news, where my picture was on the middle of the screen as well. This time it was on a news broadcast, appearing behind a woman who was talking with a solemn expression. Before the blond had a chance to change the channel I moved a hand to his wrist stopping him.

“George wha-” He didn’t finish as I shushed him, continuing to focus on the video that was playing. Her brows furrowed and she clasped her hands on top of the pure white desk.
“Unfortunately we have received news that George Davidson, the most well known and loved person on the planet, is missing.” She explained.

The photo that was behind her changed. Going from one of me smiling happily to a more animated one which had the worlds ‘most beloved man missing’. “For two and a half decades he has graced our screens cheering up over three billion watchers throughout his lifetime. We have all enjoyed his triumphs and cried alongside him in his miseries.”

She took a moment to adjust herself, going so far as to shed a tear at the idea of me going missing. Honestly it was disturbing, and I found myself tensing up in Clay’s arms at the idea that this random woman I had never heard of, and thousands of other people too I bet, were all crying over the idea of me having freedom.

A voice appeared offscreen, whispering something that the camera and microphone was unfortunately unable to pick up and there was a small nod. “Anyway…” She managed to continue, running a hand through her purple hair to neaten herself up. “Current head of the show, Jimmy Donaldson, released a statement late last night.”

The camera cut away to a man sitting in a large office. It was the guy from yesterday, the one who ended up pretending to be Clay’s cousin for just one afternoon. “Unfortunately I have to announce that George has gone missing. Yesterday afternoon he and Clay Smith disappeared around 3pm, with Clay managing to get George off of the main island.”

“This was something none of us had prepared for because George is well known to be terrified of water after the unfortunate passing of two close friends. So we had no cameras prepared, and were unable to track them after they ripped the GPS out of the car and ditched it.” He took a moment to take a few deep breaths.

“We found them just before they managed to leave but he refused to come with us, instead slipping out of the building.” The video cut away back to the woman who took a moment after to compose herself. I was shocked that she was capable of falling apart over such a meaningless couple of sentences.

“Anyway… we are thankful enough to have Jimmy actually join us for an interview.” She smiled, causing both of us to grow even more tense and scared as the same room from earlier appeared. Jimmy was wearing the same outfit too, the only difference being he appeared slightly more tired and that he only took up half the screen alongside the news presenter.

“Firstly I’d just like to thank you so much for your time Mr Donaldson. I understand that you are a very busy man.” The smile had managed to grow back on her face yet she still fidgeted with her fingers slightly as she talked.

“Thank you so much for having me Minx.” He responded, managing a smile yet it was clear the way that the stress and lack of sleep was eating away at him.
“So how is the search for George going? All sorts of rumours have begun to spiral from all sorts of different sources.” She explained.

“We aren’t doing the kind of search I’m sure you’re suggesting.” He said with a chuckle. “But we are trying to find both him and Clay Smith.”
“Are the rumours true that you are going to be pressing charges against the biggest actor on the planet?” A smug grin was on her face as she said that.

“Biggest actor?” I looked over at him, yet he continued to watch without making eye contact towards me. In fact it felt like a brick wall alongside me, causing a shiver.
“No. He is a long time friend of mine and a big supporter of the show, and I am certain that he’s just grown a close attachment to George, as many of us have.”

“If there is a chance that George is watching right now, is there anything that you want to say to him?” The woman asked, the smile disappearing as she looked straight into the camera.
“Well just that I hope he knows that we want what’s best for him.” The man began, and then he continued, not that I was listening.
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1208 words

We are in the homestretch of chapters lol, not long now.