Found You

Last Connected

At the beginning of his senior year, it had been exactly two years since Ellie had vanished without a trace, leaving a profound void in the lives of those who knew her. Her disappearance resonated deeply throughout the school community, casting a long shadow over both students and teachers alike, impacting their daily interactions and emotional well-being for many months. Initially, the air was thick with questions and concern that lingered in the hallways and classrooms, with everyone grappling with the mystery of her absence. However, as the weeks turned into months and then into years, the initial shock began to wane, slowly morphing into an uncomfortable silence. The school community, though still marked by the loss, gradually adjusted to an uneasy normalcy, allowing the memory of Ellie to fade into the background of their increasingly busy lives.
But for Rio, the passage of time did little to alleviate the weight of Ellie's absence. Instead, it felt as if her memory was more of a heavy cloak draped around him, casting a perpetual darkness over his thoughts and actions. As he navigated the halls, Rio was confronted not only with his grief but also with the judgment of his peers. In the absence of clear answers, whispers turned into rumors, and he found himself the target of unfounded accusations, many believing he bore some responsibility for Ellie's disappearance. The stigma attached to his name made it difficult for him to focus on his studies, resulting in slipping grades and a growing disinterest in basketball, a sport that once brought him joy and camaraderie. Each day, the burden of guilt and shame felt suffocating, and he withdrew further into isolation, feeling as though he was relegated to the margins of his own life.
Lukas, his only remaining friend, was a beacon of support amidst the encroaching despair. "Rio! Are you planning to go to the game on Wednesday, or will you choose to stay home and wallow in your misery?"
Lukas's voice cut through Rio's gloom, but he was overwhelmed by an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. "What do you think? The school would probably lose if they had to see me there," he replied bitterly, his words reflective of the turmoil within him.
In a world that seemed to have turned its back on him, he felt like a pariah wearing the mark of Ellie's absence.
"Come on, man, everyone has forgotten about that. You're doing this to yourself," Lukas pushed back, trying to pierce through the veil of negativity that had settled over Rio.
After much coaxing, Rio reluctantly agreed to accompany Lukas to the game. "And dude, you need to start playing basketball again; I know you miss it," Lukas exclaimed, throwing an arm around Rio's shoulders in a display of unwavering support. Although Rio nodded in agreement, the gesture felt more like an act of resignation rather than genuine enthusiasm as they walked through the bustling hallways together.

As the final bell rang, the school erupted in a flurry of activity, students rushing to their lockers, engaging in animated conversations about their day. Eager to escape the noise and chaos, Rio dashed for the exit, waving a half-hearted goodbye to Lukas before slipping into his car. His thoughts drifted back to Ellie, reflecting on how achingly different the school felt without her vibrant spirit illuminating their shared experiences. Despite their competitive nature, the underlying connection he had with her was undeniable; their rivalry had always been tinged with a deeper bond.
A few months earlier, Rio had mustered the courage to visit Ellie's house, yearning for any sort of closure. He knocked on the door but was met only with oppressive silence. Just as he contemplated leaving, an older woman with a dog ambled by and asked, "Looking for the Forests?" Feeling a flicker of hope,
he nodded. "Oh honey, they recently just moved!"
she informed him, a revelation that struck him like a blow. Disappointment washed over him, and he stepped back from the door, murmuring a soft, "Oh, okay, thank you!"
Searching for answers, he turned to social media and reached out to one of Ellie's friends, Gemma, via Instagram. His message was filled with fear: "Have you talked to Ellie? When did she move?"
After what felt like an eternity, she read his message and responded curtly,
"She moved last month; it was probably your fault."
The words landed heavily, reverberating painfully in his chest.
"Was it truly my fault?"
Rio questioned himself repeatedly, the uncertainty spiraling into his thoughts, amplifying his feelings of isolation and despair.
Resigning himself to a fate steeped in loneliness, Rio backed out of the school parking lot, his eyes catching on a flyer affixed to a lamp post. "Dog Groomers Needed." Curiosity stirred within him, breaking the monotony of his thoughts. "I don't have any volunteer hours; I guess I'll do it," he muttered to himself as a hint of determination began to creep back into his spirit.
He tore off a portion of the flyer and typed the provided website into his phone. As he scrolled through the site, something stopped him cold—an image that made his heart race. "Is that—Ellie?"
The sight ignited a whirlwind of emotions within him, ranging from uncertainty to a burgeoning sense of purpose that he hadn't felt in a long time.

When Rio eventually returned home, he walked into the familiar scent of Colombian food mingling with the brisk smell of cleaning supplies that lingered in the air. He spotted his mother diligently cooking over the stove, her focus absorbed in the dish she was preparing. "Hey Mom," Rio called out, a mix of nostalgia and gratitude filling him as he took off his backpack, feeling a sense of normalcy in the warmth of home despite the lingering shadows of his internal struggles. "Where is Dad? He should be home by now," Rio inquired with a hint of curiosity as he settled onto the couch, his fingers scrolling through Instagram in search of something engaging. He had expected his father, Karl Woods, a dedicated news reporter and meteorologist for their town, to return from work at his usual hour. "He's still at work," his mother replied, handing him a steaming bowl of spaghetti, her voice tinged with understanding. "With the storm coming tonight, he's likely caught up with the latest developments."
Rio often found it frustrating when his dad had to stay late, especially on evenings when he felt the need for a conversation or a reassuring presence. His father's commitment to his job frequently meant that he was absent during critical moments, leaving Rio to navigate his thoughts alone. On the other hand, his mother had a routine that contrasted sharply with his father's unpredictable hours. She worked as a morning nurse at the local hospital, ensuring she was always home by noon, where she would often tidy up the house, creating a sense of order and comfort in their environment. While she held strong beliefs in her Catholic faith, she never imposed those beliefs on Rio, allowing him the space to form his own opinions on spirituality. As a result, he had developed a mild sense of belief but remained uncertain about the practices he occasionally observed.

Growing up as an only child had its challenges. Rio frequently spent time with his cousins, Mira and Rory, who were like siblings to him. However, when their family relocated to Los Angeles after his uncle received a promising promotion, Rio found himself feeling isolated. The absence of his cousins deepened his loneliness, leaving him with few peers to confide in or share his thoughts with.
After finishing his bowl of spaghetti, Rio took a moment to rinse it out and place it in the sink before dashing upstairs. He had been carrying a flyer in his pocket, and now, with purpose, he retrieved it and turned on his laptop. He wanted to verify something that had piqued his interest: whether it was truly Ellie he had seen. As he navigated to the relevant website, he scrolled through the images until he stumbled upon the photograph that had captured his attention.
"It's her! It is her!" he exclaimed under his breath, the excitement bubbling within him.
The realization that she was still alive brought a rush of relief; he grappled with the funny thought, "I'm not a murderer," and felt an overwhelming urge to reconnect with her.
Determined, he signed up on the volunteer service that would allow them to communicate, eager to uncover the mystery surrounding her absence from school. Yet, a lingering question nagged at him: "I thought she moved? Maybe it was just a change of houses."
The uncertainty about her current circumstances weighed on his mind as he pondered his next steps, especially the reason behind her absence from school and what had transpired since they last connected.