Collecting Signs

Chapter 3

Emily's P.O.V:

Once we got closer to our house, it was then that I realized how drastically my life had changed over the last few hours. Just yesterday, I was excited and thrilled to come back home to see my husband after my cancelled trip. Today, the simple thought of getting inside our house scared the shit out of me. Who would have thought that my life would unexpectedly turn upside down? Who would have thought that instead of having a perfect night with my husband, I'd get a call from my father in law telling me that his son was lost? I certainly didn't, and I knew that getting inside would make everything worst. 

Before I could even open the door, Christopher and I were greeted by Nick. Jared's best friend was standing right in front of me and the feelings that came afterwards were more than overwhelming. His gaze locked into mine in sadness, sorrow and especially understanding. Out of all people, he knew what I was feeling damn well. Christopher squeezed my shoulder before leaving the both of us alone. It was as if Nick was studying me and trying to figure out what exactly to say next. I looked like death and he looked precisely the same. I should have been crying but I was too numb to even do that. 

All of a sudden, his arms were wrapped tightly around my fragile frame. I couldn't handle it anymore. My throat was beginning to hurt painfully as I instantly circled mine around his waist. Once the first tear broke free, the rest followed in an unbroken stream. He slowly and smoothly started rubbing my back but we both knew it was completely useless. We knew it would never be the same.

"This can't be happening, Nick." I shook my head in disbelief while nuzzling my head into his chest. "He can't be gone!" 

"It's alright Emily, everything will be alright." No matter how hard he was trying to hide it, his words were more meant to reassure himself. He ran his fingers through my hair as he put his chin on top of my head. "They will find him. You will see, everything will be back to normal." His words were indeed reassuring, but his shaky voice wasn't. It actually showed how frightened he was, how every word was cut short by fear. 

"I can't make it without him. You know I can't." I sobbed and closed my eyes as I tried to forget every stupid thing the investigator had said. I couldn't believe how clueless that man was. 

"That's not going to happen, I believe that he's going to be okay." Seeing I was finding difficulty to even stand up, Nick left only one arm around my waist and led me to the door's steps. After making me sit, he joined me right after and kept rubbing my shoulder comfortingly. "Just try to calm down Emily. Loosing hope is forbidden, okay?" I honestly didn't even have the strength to nod, so I just rested my head on his shoulder. 

Running and running all over again. When I was at the university, that's basically all I kept doing. I couldn't complain though, I had a full ride scholarship at the Mountainridge, one of the best universities in my town. Making a mistake was unacceptable seeing the privilege I had. I ran from a building to another with my bag and a few books I was holding in my hand. I was a huge mess to say the least and I still had a few meters to go.

"There's no freaking gentleman in here or what?" Blake, a freshman of the same university, came out of nowhere. Without making me stop, he took the books away from my hand to carry them himself and literally ran by my side. 

"Apparently not, you're unfortunately the only one." I teased before pinching his cheeks in a playful manner. "What would I do without you, Blakey?" 

A sudden smirk appeared out of nowhere on his face as he replied back almost instantly. "You'll be devastated of course. Imagine loosing your crush? I could never do this to you, you're stuck with me Ems." As soon as I rolled my eyes at him, he continued. "I know you're happy, you just don't want to show it."