In Charlotte's Eyes

ONE: The Longest Night of Parker's Life

Hello everybody! Few things really quick. I updated the previous chapter! The changes are minimal, I believe, so you probably don't have to go back to read it, but do it if you need a reminder of what happened last time!

Next up, I will stick to the update plan I had before: updates every Tuesday and Friday, with 2-4 chapters generally, depending on their content. Thank you for bearing with me, and I hope you all enjoy the story!

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Charlotte was gone. Parker stood in her home, eyes wide. His heart rate was through the roof. What just happened? She was just there a second ago.

Finally breaking from his paralyzed state, he took a step forward; to where Charlotte should have been. He reached out his hand weakly. There was nothing—just air. He turned around, facing the window. The darkness of the night met his eyes. He shuddered.

What happened..?

He couldn't stand that jazz music. He finally turned it off. Then, eerie silence. He called out her name, hoping that she would respond. Of course, she didn't. As Parker's eyes darted around the house, paranoia overtook his mind. Everything in the house suddenly felt haunted. The cutting board and knife Charlotte was just using, the couch, the chairs..

Maybe having music on wouldn't be so bad.

He turned on the expensive TV again. The loud jazz music resumed after a brief delay. Parker felt comforted just enough to be able to explore. He began walking through her house. Maybe she was still around.

Who was he kidding..?

He looked in her bathroom. Nothing.

He wasn't in some sort of fairy tale.

He looked in her bedroom. Nothing but messy blankets.

But, if he wasn't in some sort of fairy tale..

He looked in the small guest bedroom. Nothing.

Then.. what happened to her..?

He crossed his arms in discomfort. She wasn't here. Of course she wasn't. But if she wasn't here, where did she go? Was she even real?

He sat on the couch, slouching over.

No, of course she was real. She couldn't have just.. disappeared.

He turned his head to where he had just been arguing with her minutes before.

But she did. She did disappear.

He turned back forward, staring at the static image on the TV screen.

Maybe she'd reappear. She had to.

He laughed pitifully to himself. “F-Funny prank, God.”

Parker turned down the music. It was too loud. All he had to do was wait for Charlotte to reappear. It'd be just as sudden as she had disappeared.

Time passed.

She didn't reappear. Parker’s eyes were wide open. His mind was restless. Any negative emotions he felt towards his friend was gone. He didn't care about the money right now. He didn't care that she was being absolutely foolish and reckless. He would rather her be here than not.

More time passed.

Was she dead..?

More time passed. He turned off the TV. 

She couldn't be. She.. no. What the hell..?

More time passed. He put his hands on his head, leaning forward.

Nothing made sense. He tried thinking of every realistic scenario.

More time passed. He laid on his back, staring at the ceiling.

Nothing about this was realistic. Somebody vanishing into thin air? No warning beforehand, nothing?!

More time passed.

His head ached. But he couldn't fall asleep. She might come back. Maybe. Just maybe.

More time passed.

Please.

There was a buzzing. Parker’s body jolted up. The quiet buzzing came from the kitchen. Charlotte wasn't there. He grunted softly and uncomfortably. He walked towards the kitchen. Charlotte’s phone was responsible for the buzzing. Suzuki was texting her.

Texting her at..

He looked at the time. It was early morning. His head darted towards the window. The sunrise greeted him. A faint breath escaped him. She wasn't gonna come back, was she?

He needed to do something. He left her house and got into his car, gazing at Charlotte’s car.

He headed to the police station to report her disappearance.