"Hey," she said softly, entering the room.
Cole stood at the window looking out, a blank expression on his face. He didn't respond. She crossed the room and stood beside him, looking out at the Spanish moss hanging from the mature oaks that lined the property.
"It wasn't my intention to hurt you," she tried again.
"You didn't," he answered, still not looking at her, "part of me suspected..."
"Suspected what?"
"Nothing. I'm just lost in thought."
"Come on, Cole. Whatever it is you need to say, say it."
He turned to look at her then, and she wished he hadn't. His eyes were puffy, lashes still thick with moisture. Cole didn't deserve this.
"Apples and pears both grow on trees. It doesn't mean they're the same fruit," he said, eyes searching her face.
"I don't understand."
"I think you do. We want different things, don't we?"
She sighed. There was no malice in his voice. It was a genuine question. She nodded slowly in response.
"How long have you known?" he asked.
"I don't know. A while."
"Did you ever love me?"
"That isn't fair."
"Can't you give me that much? I'm not angry. I'm not naive enough to hope asking it will cause some epiphany. I just need to know. For my own sake."
She sucked in a breath and looked away.
"Damn it, Cole. It shouldn't have to be this hard. Yes, I loved you. I still do."
"Then why-"
"Because there's a difference between loving someone and being in love."
A heaviness filled the space between them. She couldn't help herself from turning back to face him; look at him for what felt like would be the final time. A tear trickled down each of his cherub cheeks, though he wept in silence.
The moment was broken by a woman's scream coming from outside. They both looked out the window to see a silhouette figure running through the trees at the property's edge. The figure crossed over the property line, heading for the abandoned cemetery.
Sydney pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed emergency services as she and Cole rushed downstairs. Sandy was already at the door when they reached the landing.
"What the hell was that?" she asked.
"Someone went running into the cemetery," Sydney answered as she threw the front door open.
Another scream sounded. It was fainter, but urgent. Emergency services answered.
"Stay here," Cole said, then took off.
Sydney explained to the dispatch operator what they'd seen and provided the address. The operator said they'd send someone, but that the situation didn't sound urgent.
Sydney hung up and headed for the cemetery. She stopped in her tracks when another figure ran up to her. It took a few seconds to recognize Annette and Topanga's mother, Myra Winbolt.
"Have you seen Topanga?" she asked, frantic.
"No. We heard the screaming though. And someone ran into the cemetery."
Myra didn't waste a second turning heel and sprinting for the property line, Sydney and Sandy following.
"I don't know where the hell they went," Cole said as the women reached him.
"Which way did they go?" Myra asked, "Did you get a good look? Was it a girl about my height?"
"No. By the time I got here they were already gone."
"The police are on the way," Sydney said, "Why was Topanga screaming?"
Myra's eyes were still scanning the horizon as she answered, "I don't know. She was doing the dishes. Then I thought I heard her talking to someone. The next thing I hear is the kitchen door to the backyard burst open and she was screaming. She was already out of the house by the time I got in there. Did you see anyone else?"
"To be honest, I don't even know if it was her that we saw. It was too dark to be certain. But I only saw one figure," Cole answered.
"I think it was her. Whoever it was, they kept looking behind them, but away from the house," Sydney added.
Myra reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She pressed a button.
"I'm calling her. Listen for a ringtone."
A cicada sounded in the distance, mingled with the chirping of crickets. A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the oaks. Their breath was the only other sound.
"It's gone to voicemail. Damn it!" Myra swore, ending the call.
"I'll go back to the house and wait for the police," Sandy offered.
"Topanga," Myra yelled.
Sydney and Cole began calling out to her as well. The three of them headed toward the trees in different directions.
-/--/-/--/-/--/-
Sydney's dad arrived a few minutes before the police. Sandy had filled him in and called Sydney to have them all return to the house. Within the hour there were a handful of law enforcement officers searching the property on foot, while two detectives took statements.
Jordan claimed he hadn't heard anything due to listening to heavy metal through noise-cancelling headphones. Sydney's dad had been out at a bar. Sandy had heard the screams while sitting in the living room reading a novel.
Only Sydney and Cole had seen the figure of a running silhouette, and neither could definitely say that it had been Topanga. The detectives thanked them, then went out to join the search.
"What the hell is happening with that family?" Sydney's dad asked.
"You didn't see anyone on your way up the road?" Sandy asked him again.
"Like I told those two Columbos, I didn't see anything."
"Should we go back out and search?" Cole asked.
"No, you heard 'em. They need to inspect first," her dad answered, "Don't want to lose evidence. If they'll even need any."
His brows furrowed; eyes creased. Sydney wondered what was on his mind, but she knew he wouldn't answer if she asked. What was this situation, with it's stress, doing to him mentally and physically?
"What do you mean, if they need any?" Sandy asked, "The girl's missing. Something must have happened."
"Come on, Sand, you know what she's like. Damned woman. Topanga probably ran off so as not to deal with her."
"How can you crack jokes at a time like this?" Sydney asked.
"Who's joking? Topanga'll probably be back in the morning. Just needs a break. Her mother's a real piece of something, and the word ain't work," he countered.
"Don't be an ass, Ted," Sandy said, "As for searching, I'm sure they'll let us help soon. In the meantime we should all try and relax."
Sydney's dad stood up and began pacing. Cole excused himself and retreated upstairs. Jordan followed shortly after. Her dad crossed to the front windows and peered out through the blinds. Sydney walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm going to try going to bed. Goodnight, Daddy."
"Goodnight, girl," he answered, though he was still preoccupied.
Sydney walked over and kissed Sandy on the cheek, too.
"We'll wake you if anything changes," Sandy said, "Sleep well, sugarplum."
"You too."
