Never Again

Chapter 9

I ran even faster I can hear Hunter running after me instructing me to stop and calm down. I continued running not minding a single person around me. I bumped almost three persons but I continued running trying to hold back the tears. This is one of the most painful things that ever happened to me.

I reached the University gates at last, I continued running even my legs are screaming in pain as if they'll split into two. Finally I reached the announcement section, I'm standing right in front of the notes and important matters we must know now feeling the real pain.

My legs are totally numb I can't even feel the ground touching my shoes. My head splitting in two with my eyes blurring the notes I can't even read a single word. My heart racing making its way through my throat going back to my chest, shattering, all at once.

I finally let go of the tears I held for a long time, now making everything clear and true.

It was clearly written in there that Wendy just dropped off school yesterday. And that she won't be part of the school anymore. I spanked the glass with the announcement inside good thing Hunter stopped me from totally breaking the glass in pieces.

"I understand how you're feeling right now. Calm down." Hunter whispered straight to my ear.

"Hunter" I let him hug me. I hugged him back crying in his chest like a baby trying to run after her parents.

xx

"I'm going to see her. I can't let this happen, Hunter. I'll look for her, I'll talk to her and I'll ask her why she's dropping off then I'll convince her to come back." I said trying to sound confident that by tomorrow Wendy will be here again.

"I understand. I'll come with you." He said reassuring me.

We are riding on a taxi not knowing where to go exactly. I offered the exact location of Wendy's address to the taxi driver. It will be a long ride.

I can't think of anything right now, I don't know what to say when I finally see her. I don't know if I'll slap her in the face and blame her for making me feel sick. I don't know what's going to happen right now. Nothing on my mind except the note I saw posted on the bulletin board a while ago.

The taxi driver turned off the radio. Maybe he sensed that we're not feeling okay and we're not in the mood to party with the popping songs in his playlist. Hunter won't dare speak to me. Maybe he knew I am in my most fragile state right now. And one wrong word boom I'll cry and cry again like a newborn baby confused and afraid.

After one and a half hour we finally arrived in the village where Wendy lived. I walked fast grabbing Hunter in the arm. I know where the house is located. I've been here for almost ten times.

The gate was painted black. The windows covered with some veins making it look pretty cool. The door is closed but we can hear some noises from the inside. I'm sure she's here.

I ringed the doorbell. Hunter gave me a "this is it" look. We waited for almost minutes before someone finally opened the gates. It was a young lady of our age.

Wendy's cousin, maybe.

"Good evening can we see Wendy for a moment?" I said smiling.

"Wen – Wendy?" She asked with her eyebrows raised looking confused.

"There's no Wendy here." She almost laughed.

"What? But I'm pretty sure she lives here." I'm serious my voice almost pleading.

"We just moved here last week. Maybe – " She's trying to explain but I butt in once more.

"Do you perhaps know where did they transfer?" I asked almost crying.

Hunter tapped my back. A sign saying to calm down and I'm here, we'll see her again.

"I don't have an idea." She said shaking her head.

"Honey, who are they?" A motherly voice butted in.

The young lady shrugged and left us with her mother smiling at us.

"How can I help you?" She asked still smiling.

"I heard you've transferred here last week. Do you perhaps know where the owner of the house went?" I asked trying to smile back.

"Oh! You mean the Allen's?" she looks sure of what she's saying.

"Yes!" I almost screamed.

"I have here the address in my wallet." She started scanning her huge pouch and held me a crumpled paper with an address printed on it.

"Thank you so much for your time." Hunter said with a smile.

The lady nods and carefully closed the gates. I tripped off while walking, good thing Hunter's always there to hold me by the wrist. I feel like I owe him a lot by now in not less than a month.

"Thank you Hunter." I said unbearably audible.

"It's okay. I'm your friend right?" Hunter said looking at me and giving me that assuring look again.

We rode the taxi again. It was cool inside and it smells like tropical forest, same as the taxi before, no music just the engine filling the whole atmosphere. We are completely exhausted like our legs would break in parts. I snatch a quick glance at Hunter.

"You okay?" He asked. I'm startled as he's looking at me too.

"Yes. Thank you for accompanying me." I said with a smile, a sincere smile.

"Stop with the thank you okay? I'm sure you're tired. Your eyes said it all. Lean on my shoulder and get some sleep." Hunter offered as he pulls me closer.

I do as he said. I feel so comfortable with him I finally closed my eyes and here goes my heart beating on and off. And if one day I visit a clinic, I will not be surprised if they find out I have a heart disease.

"We're here." Hunter whispered.

The taxi skidded to a stop. I was half-dreaming when Hunter woke me up with his voice gently tapping me in the arm.

"Did I sleep a lot?" I almost laughed.

"It was a forty-five minute ride, a forty-five minute sleep for you." He said while handing the payment to the taxi driver.

My heart begins to walk its way up to my throat. This is it. I can finally see her and wrap things up.

We walked and walked until the front gate says what the old lady gave us. Block 10 Lot 14, Hickory Street.

My jaw dropped. The house was old, small and stuffy. I don't think Wendy can spend a single night in here. I recheck the address printed on the paper debating this isn't it. Suddenly, Hunter tapped me in the shoulder and softly whispered.

"It's Wendy."

My body weakened even more. I think I know why Wendy dropped off.