If Only She Knew REVISITED

Chapter 24

   "Amelia!" Standing in the middle of the deserted road my voice reaches all corners of the street as I try to locate her.

Since she left the house a few hours ago she hasn't arrived back.

I hope in my mind Nolan is on his way and comes across her. I can't face telling Nolan his sister is now missing after everything that's gone on around here.

"Hey Ava, anything?" Steph frantically emerges from the house.

"No, nothing." I lean down resting my arms on my knees lowering myself to the ground as I sigh into myself.

"It's going to be okay, it's Amelia, she can take care of herself." She tries to reassure me offering a gentle stroke on my back.

"Yeah I know, I'm just worried. I don't understand what could have happened. Every time, she is the one trying to look after us, but when she needs our help, we fuck it up." I try hard to hold back my tears.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, she knows you care, you wouldn't be doing this if you didn't! Maybe you should call Nolan, tell him what's happening, he would want to know. It's his Sister." Steph continues her words as that thought has already passed my mind. Steph is right. He has a right to know, it's his sister for God's sake but I can't bring myself to reach for my phone.

After Steph has made her way back up the pathway, I slowly reach for my back pocket and pull out my phone.

Taking a gulp, I dial.

"Hey what's up baby, Are you having a good time?" He sounds cheerful, oblivious to the situation at hand.

"Have you seen Amelia?" As the words leave my mouth there is a deafening silence on the other end of the line.

"No she's not with me. What happened?"

"She left. About an hour ago and she hasn't come back, we are starting to get worried, this might not mean anything to you but just before she left she said it's him, what is she talking about?"

"Did she say anything else Ava? This is important." Nolan snaps down the line.

"What? No, that was it. Nolan what's going on?" I speak in a hushed tone while peering towards the house.

"I— it's nothing you have to worry about. You're safe, I promise, you all are. I think I know where she is." From his comforting words I let out a deep sigh.

"I'm on my way back. Go inside and lock the door and don't open it for anyone! I will knock three times so you know it's me." He speaks firmly.

"Nolan!? You're scaring me. Please can you just tell me what is going on?!" Before I can end my question, the phone is already cut off as I sigh once more.

Making a run for it, I carefully follow his command and do not not look back until I am stationed inside the house.

What is going on?

"You okay?" Steph rushes to me.

Nodding quickly, I release her from her worries while my back is still clenched to the door.

"Nothing out the back..." Val enters.

"Shit..." I utter under my breath. Amelia couldn't have got that far since she left, my mind goes around all of the places she could be. Also, as to why Nolan said he knew where she was.

"Val, you locked the back door didn't you?" I speak in a frantic tone.

"Yes Ava geez, you need to calm down."

"Valerie, now is not the time for your bitchiness." I take a small step towards her before I feel Stephs hands land on my shoulders.

"Okay Ava. I think we all just need to calm down." Steph speaks quietly before a loud boom slams against the window.

Steph and I shriek while I bury my hands in my face.

"Oh for God's sake it was just the wind." Val strides over to the window.

The sound of a low hum emerges from the outside drowning my thoughts as I watch the others gaze dart to the window.

"It's okay it will be Nolan." I speak firmly.

"You told him?" Steph is surprised that I took her advice for once.

"Yeah, straight away..." I offer her a look of consideration as I watch her face relax..

Nolan knocks softly on the door three times, just like he said.

Peering out of the front window, I make sure it is him to be on the safe side before proceeding to unlock it. As soon as our eyes meet, I pull him into a hug. With his hands on my waist, he leads me back into the safety of the house before shutting the door on any potential danger.

"You okay?" He strokes my head still in his embrace. "Is everyone okay?" He peers over to Steph and Val as they both nod in unison.

"We all need to stay put..." He utters softly this time as he brushes my face with his index finger in soft traces.

"Thank you for coming back so soon. We didn't know what to do." Steph trembles.

"Did she not say anything before she left? Anything at all?" Nolan peers back down to my face.

"No, nothing out of the ordinary. She just said she was going out to grab some more snacks—" As I gesture toward the table, we all set our eyes on the fully stocked snack pile before us. I can feel the glares upon my body as I narrow my eyes.

"I swear there was less there an hour ago..." I point out.

"You were probably too drunk to function." Val sniggers.

"You were drinking?" Nolan speaks sternly, his hands grow tighter around my shoulders as I let out a deep sigh.

"Only a little. It was meant to be a celebration. Don't lecture me now, Nolan." I pout.

"Okay. We will talk about that later. I think you should try and head to sleep, all of you, I've got it handled. I promise to wake you up if I find her." He reassures us and peers down to my face speaking his last words.

"If you need anything just shout us." Steph smiles before her and Val exit too their rooms.

"Are you sure you're okay Ava?" We lock eyes.

"Yes, I'm just worried about her. I've never dealt with anything like this before. I just froze. I'm sorry." Sighing, I hold him a little tighter.

"You did the right thing by calling me. I want you to get some rest, you need it." His fingers slowly stroke my cheek while I shut my eyes enjoying the touch of his comfort.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay here alone? I don't have to head to sleep just yet." I push my luck, I can't bear the thought of him out here alone after what's happened.

"Don't worry about me Ava. I'm okay. I promise."

"Okay, but make sure you wake me if you need anything, even just a kiss." I smile to myself as Nolan peers down to the ground with a grin slowly spreading across his face.

"I will definitely keep that in my mind." He mutters under his breath as a soft grin forms. "Now go, and rest please, it will make me feel better." He sternly pleads.

"Okay." I whisper and obey his commands.

"Oh Ava, I'm glad you had fun tonight." His words catch me off guard as I place my gaze upon his. A soft smile forms on my face as I linger my eyes on his.

As soon as I enter my bedroom, I hear his voice once more.

Placing my head on the door I listen into his words.

"Please Amelia, call me or text me just let me know that you're safe. I'm worried. Amelia please..." His voice starts to tremble and begins to turn dark as a single tear escapes my eye and cascades to the ground.