We're Not Related Anymore...

Too Little, Too Late

Jacob: Three Years Ago

I can't go to sleep. I can't shut my thoughts off and I feel like an asshole for locking Maddie in her room. I get up and pick up the key from where I left it on my nightstand. I pad across the hall between our bedrooms in my socked feet and hope she's still awake and willing to talk to me. But when I open the door, it's to see the lights are still on and the room is empty. 

"Fuck," I say, scrambling in and looking at the open window. She must have gone out through there. I rush over to it and look out but she's nowhere in sight. 

I've spoken a little too loudly because I suddenly hear another one of the doors opening. 

"What's going on?" Asks Josh's voice. I turn to see him standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. "Why are you in her room?"

"Maddie's gone," I tell him, getting out my phone and dialing her number. It rings and rings but she doesn't answer. "Come one, pick up."

"What do you mean she's gone?" Josh stalks into her room and starts throwing up her sheets as if she's hiding there. 

"I mean she's not fucking in here."

I hear more footsteps and more groggy voices asking what's going on. Everyone's woken up and after I hit the end button and turn around, I see everyone out in the hallway. 

"Can I ask you to wait at least a few hours before you start your shit again?" Keegan asks me coldly. He's dressed in nothing but a pair of pajama pants and rubs at his eyes tiredly. 

"It's Maddie," I repeat. "She's gone."

Josh starts going through her drawers and it's then that I can see she's taken a few things. Her favorite book is no longer on her bookshelf. Her backpack isn't hanging from the hook on the wall. Her running shoes are missing from her closet. 

"I have to- I have to go after her," I say to no one in particular. I start out the door but Keegan puts a hand out to stop me. 

"You're not going anywhere. Maddie's just bluffing. She'll be back in a few hours when she calms down."

"Get out of my way," I say shoving past him. 

I don't know where she's gone but I grab my keys and rush to my car. The others call out to me but I'm too fast for any of them to stop me from going. As I get on the road I start dialing numbers. First I call Tessa. She also doesn't answer. 

"Fuck," I say, slamming my hands on the wheel. I try Maddie again. Searching for her on the streets but there's nothing but lampposts and trees out here this late. 

I drive to the bus station. After parking my car, I run out and start searching around the place. But she's not there either. Not by the terminal or by the bus stop. I run my hands over my hair. 

This is all my fault. I shouldn't have locked her in her room. I shouldn't have hesitated. I should've just gone with her when she asked.

I sit down on the side of the street, my head in my hands. She's gone now. I don't know where else to look. Not at the airport. She wouldn't have the money for a ticket like that. Where would she even go? 

I stand up, trying to remember the address for Tessa's place. Maybe she's still somewhere on the road. I get back in my car and start driving around town for her but I don't see her. It's almost daylight when I finally pull over and stop. Sometime during the night I got a call and didn't realize it. 

I pick up my phone. Why did I have to leave it on silent? The number that has called me has left me a message. 

Unknown: It's Hannah. Maddie said to tell you she's alright. Stop calling. She doesn't want anything to do with you anymore.