Better Than I Know

Chapter 22

It's been about a week now. I've spent a whole week at home excluding myself from the outside world. I want it to be like this till prom; although I don't want to go but I am afraid that if I resisted he would go and hurt Luke or Lila. So my plan is to stay at home and not leave my bed till prom day - there anything could happen.

Like any other day this week I am sitting on my bed; just sitting there like a statue not moving with Luke's shirt beside me; the one he gave me that day on the beach, I almost sleep every night hugging it to my chest in a vain attempt that his scent still lingers on it. I took it from beside me and put it on when I heard the door bell ring. I can just act like I am not home; and that's what I did but the person outside didn't seem to get the hint.

Angrily I dragged myself from underneath my blanket and headed downstairs. Opening the door with force I wasn't ready for the pair of angry eyes I met; Lila's. Ben was standing beside her holding her hand lightly as if to give her some self restrain; I think she was doing her best not to attack me right now, after all I broke her best friend's heart ... And mine too in the process.

"Have you seen Luke?" She asked with bitterness in her voice.

I shook my head negatively. "Okay then, Let's go." She said walking away.

I struggled to find my voice when I finally did I asked, "What's going on?" My voice is faint almost a whisper.

"Well ... It's not any of your business actually." Lila said with such a way that made me wish the floor would just open up and swallow me.

"Luke is missing since yesterday and we ... I thought that maybe he called you or something." Ben explained with an apologetic look on his face.

Luke is what .... Missing! The word kept echoing inside my head. Oh god! Is he okay? Does Sebastian has something to do with it? Sebastian! Lila gave me one last angry look before she and Ben drove away.

I closed the door and went back to my room. I wrapped my arms around myself, and the world fell away from me. Luke was my world and now he was missing; where would he be? Before knowing what I would do, I started wearing whatever and snatching the car keys from the counter and driving: where? I don't know; I just kept driving till I found myself in front of Sebastian's place.

I kept knocking till a blonde girl opened the door for me; I remember her - it was the same girl he brought to the masquerade.

"Hmmm is Sebastian here?" I asked nervous now.

"Yes," "Can you call him for me please?" I asked trying to control myself.

"Beth what a lovely surprise." Sebastian's voice came from behind her.

"You can go now love." He waved the girl off and she just nodded; I felt disgusted.

"What do you think you're doing?" I spoke when I made sure the girl is not in an ear shot.

"What do you mean?"

"Quit playing games Sebastian!" I snapped my voice loud this time.

"I am not playing games and lower your voice." He said with a threatening tone that sent chills down my spine.

"You mean .. You don't know where Luke is?" I murmured.

"I'm a man of my word Beth, I told you I won't hurt your friends as long as you're being good." He said. I just nodded my head and left him standing there.

Where would he possibly be? I spent the whole day in my car driving. I just hoped that maybe I'll see him somewhere; make sure that he's alright. At 9:30 I found my phone ringing- Ben. Ben was calling me that's wired; something must came up I quickly answered.