Because I've Lost Everything

Chapter Two

Caleb Grimm

"No. You don't understand. I can't find her," I said, pressing my phone just a little harder against my ear. Laura had left the house an hour ago. She was gone. She wasn't answering her phone. She couldn't have escaped me like that. It didn't make sense.

Xaphan sighed from the other end of the line. "Well, what'd you do? Do you deserve her leaving you?"

"I killed Jev. Like I was supposed to. I thought I had locked the door. I forgot I told her to come over. And I..." I groaned. "I really screwed up, Xaphan."

"Damn right you did."

"But it's the phone thing, Xaphan. It's like... she's not answering her phone, but she's not sending me to voicemail. She wouldn't let it ring like that. I know her better than that," I said.

"Look, I have a guy that owes me a favor or two. I'll have him track her phone," Xaphan said.

I let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you."

"Whatever, man. Don't go sappy with me." He ended the call.

***

"I found it."

"Well?" I asked.

"Go outside," Xaphan said.

I stepped out of the house, crossing a single arm over my chest. My other hand kept my phone against my ear. "All right."

"Listen," he said. I heard it. Ringing. "You hearing it?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, follow it. It's her phone," Xaphan said.

I followed the ringing. As soon as I reached it, it stopped. I squatted down and picked up the phone from the grass. "Oh, no," I whispered.

"What's wrong?"

"She's not here. It's just the phone," I said. "Xaphan, I--I think someone took her."

"Well, who the hell would want her?" he asked.

"Ghost."

"Ghost doesn't know you're dating her. You guys have only told Dracula," Xaphan said.

"I don't know, Xaphan. She may have told her friends."

"She got a best friend?" he asked.

"Clawdeen. I'll call her, see what she knows."

"Good. Call me when you know something about her, okay?" he asked.

"Of course."

***

"What can I do you for?" Clawdeen asked. She looked back over her shoulder before turning to me once more. "Draculaura isn't here. She stays in a hotel room," she said.

"I know that. Can I come in?" I asked. She nodded, stepping away from the door. I stepped into the dorm room and shut the door behind me. I glanced around. We were alone. "Clawdeen, can I asked you something?"

"You don't have to ask permission. Ask the actual question, Caleb."

I nodded absentmindedly. "What do you know about me?" I asked.