Consumed

Chapter 15: Milan

I wake up to find her gone. At first, I assume that she just left to go to her room or to the bathroom. Until I pass by the foyer and see her jacket and shoes missing, that is. Frowning, I look outside, wondering where she could've gone. Meri never goes outside alone anymore. She's terrified that her step-dad will come for her before she can legally refuse to go back to him.

"Hey, little bro..." Min pads up behind me and ruffles my hair with a laugh. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing... Have you seen Meri?" I turn around.

"Nah. Just woke up." He smirks, waving at his clothing.

Sure enough, he's wearing a pair of blue fleece bed-pants and a white t-shirt. I sigh. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You two looked pretty cozy last night. We gonna be planning another wedding in another year?"

I glare at him. "You better not let her hear you say that," I threaten.

"Why not? And since when are Mom and Dad okay with just leaving you lying on the living room floor with a girl sleeping in your arms?" He crossed his arms, looking at me with a grin. "Mom just about slapped me when she found me asleep on the couch with Zhilan. I didn't even mean to let it happen. We fell asleep watching a movie. You, on the other hand, let her curl up next to you, and didn't even protest or move away. How come they didn't chew you out for it?"

"She's been through a lot. You know that. Mom and Dad don't want to make her feel awkward. And I think Mom's really taken to her. You're not the first to talk about weddings," I grumble. "I'm going to see if she's in her room."

"Why are you so freaked out?"

"Because her shoes and coat are gone, Min. She never moves those unless she's going somewhere with them."

"Oh. Where would she have gone with them?"

My stomach churns, and I feel cold.

"Are you okay? You look pale, Milan."

"No, I'm not okay," I whisper. "I don't think she's even in the house."

"Well... Where do you think she went?" he asks, frowning as I push past him.

"Back to her mom."

"The same one who's abusive and has drug problems? The one who married an equally abusive, possibly even worse jerk?"

"Yes, Min. That one. Who else?"

He shrugs and knocks on Meri's door before I can. "I dunno..."

No answer comes from Meri's room so I push open the door.

Her bed is made like it was last night. Nothing's out of place, and the whole place has an empty air. Dread settles deep in the pit of my stomach as I stare at the vacant room. "She's gone," I mumble, backing away from the door and shaking my head.

"But why would she go back?"

"I... I don't know," I stammer, clenching my fists. "She said her mom didn't want to talk to her again."

"Wow. Harsh."

"Her mom refused addictions counseling and all attempts at rehab. Meri came home in tears and told me that her mom said she didn't ever want to see her again. Her step-dad hasn't been back since the day I threw him out of here," I say, moving to the railing and gripping it tightly. "Maybe she didn't go willingly?"

"I didn't see any signs of a struggle."

Without another word, I race down the stairs, taking the last two in a leap. Dashing into the foyer, I shove my shoes on, hastily tie the shoe laces, and throw my jacket on. Grabbing my hat and yanking on gloves, I turn the door knob. Unlocked. We always lock it.