Gone.

Chapter 8

I picked up my keys and headed out my door. I got in my car and drove to the edge of town to the police station to file a stalking report. As I drove the hum of the vehicle calmed my tense body.

I pulled into the police station and shut off my car. I took a deep breath before opening my door to make my way inside. I felt the cool handle touch my hand as the door creaked open.

A girl sitting at a desk in front of me asked, "What can I help you with today ma'am."

I walked up closer to her. "Um, I need to file a stalking report on someone who has been leaving me flowers and showing up at my house and calling me."

"Do you know this person's name by chance?"

"No I do not. I have never met or seen him."

"Then how do you know that all of these are related and not just random?"

"He makes it very well know when he calls that they were all him."

"Okay, well can I get your name ma'am?"

"Yes, it is Anna Gomez."

"Okay Anna well as of right now I cannot do anything for you. Until you give me evidence or a name to put with a face I cannot help. For now stick it out and if it furthers or worsens just let us know ASAP. Okay?"

I just turned and walked out of the police station in anger. I was not going to let someone tell me they cannot help when it is their job to protect the community. How is it that if you go to get help they can just turn you down and tell you that you are lying. I slammed my car door as I got in and peeled out of the police station a little quicker than I should have, not that I really cared.

I drove for hours before my gas light came on telling me that I was going to run out soon. I searched around for a gas station for a while before finding one in the middle of nowhere. I pulled in and started to get out of my car. As I did so I noticed that it was getting dark out and with the neighborhood that I was in I probably needed to hurry before this ended badly. I suddenly realize that I did not have my card on me and I was going to have to go inside to pay.

I walked inside with my head low, making sure to not make eye contact with anyone else as I did so. I gave the woman $50 and said "I will be back when it is done for change." The woman nodded at me and I quickly went out and started filling up my car. I kept looking around to make sure that no one was coming in around me.

I never used to be this anxious about being alone. Ever sense the stalker starting getting to me I have been weary to go anywhere new, mainly because I did not have Mitch there to watch over me. When the gas pump clicked off I hurriedly ran back inside to grab my change before jumping into my car and leaving as quickly as I possibly could.

I drove miles and miles before I realized that I was headed home. I guess it was a habit to end up back where I always started. I sighed when I pulled into my driveway and shut off my car. I stared at the front of my house noticing the little details I never looked at. The roof slanted to the left and the middle top window had a slight crack in it. The door was an off white from the siding and without any motivation to take care of the yard it looked ran down and old. Mitch would have said "Oh it will be fine baby. It only matters what I and you think right? And I think it looks just fine."

A tear slid down my face as he rolled into my mind. I couldn't help but be upset when I thought of him. He was everything that I was used to and him not being here just made everything seem unreal.

*Flashback*

I laughed as he puffed out his cheeks like a child when I fixed the tassel on his cap. We stood in line waiting for our names to be called saying that we had finally made it. We were finally done with high school and ready to move on and make something of our lives. They were doing this alphabetically so we knew we had a little bit of time before our names would be called, we just stood outside the door double checking ourselves to make sure that everything was just perfect today. I heard them get down to the F's and said "Are you ready?" He nodded and turned to the door as his name was called.

"Mitch Gomez." He walked through the doors and I saw his family stand up and clap for him as he was handed his diploma.

"Anna Hollinger." My stomach dropped as I heard my name being called. I felt the water fill in my eyes as I fought back my nervous tears. I smiled as I was handed a rolled up piece of paper from our principle. He shook my hand and we both posed for the picture that we knew was coming. I looked up and seen my parents in the crowd standing up and clapping. I gave them a quick wave and made my way over to my seat. I looked at Mitch when I got there and he smiled at me giving me a thumb up, I couldn't help but laugh at his silliness.

We stood at our chairs for what seemed like hours before they dismissed up from the ceremony. Mitch and I practically ran out of the ceremony to meet our parents. Before we reached them we stopped and looked at each other. He pulled me into his arms before I could say anything to him and the water began to flow out of my eyes. I pulled him close and smiles, I could not remember a time when I had been as happy as I was in that exact moment.

I pulled away from his arms and said, "We made it."

He smiled back and me and said, "Just now time for phase two of our lives."