a phoenix in the fire » fillie

chapter 4 ↝ that thing's broken

IT'S A DREAM I'M LIVING IN. A TERRIBLE NEVER-ENDING DREAM.

It had been six months now, half a year. There were no signs of anything changing. Millie was still missing. The group was still stuck between worrying over Millie or choosing to let her die in their minds. Time continued on, regardless of their indecisiveness.

The police were beginning to give up. It was obvious in the way they redirected questions about Millie. They didn't believe she could be alive anymore. If Millie had been hit in the head with a rock, that would have caused a head wound which needed to be checked out at a hospital. No "Jane Does" matching Millie's height and build had been reported.

Winona never did believe Millie died. She was emotionally distraught and had taken a leave from Lavender Ridge High School on February 26, five months after Millie's disappearance.

Natalia Dyer, a teacher aide, graciously stepped up to help. Students didn't trust her as much, but they learned that she was like Winona. They could trust her.

Sadie began going to see Ms. Dyer. They were growing close as well. Ms. Dyer soon looked forward to their weekly visits. They met every Tuesday during lunch.

"It's hard to believe that it's been half a year since Millie disappeared," Sadie said, taking a bite out of her sandwich. Ms. Dyer sat at her desk. There was a couch by the door, and two chairs in front of Ms. Dyer's desk. Sadie sat in one of those chairs.

"Time is crazy," Ms. Dyer agreed, clasping her hands together. "How are you, Sadie?"

"I'm good. I miss Millie a lot since she was a really good friend. I trusted her with a lot of stuff," Sadie paused. "I- I want to move on."

"Move on?" Ms. Dyer questioned, tilting her head slightly.

"I don't want to keep worrying about her like this. I- I don't want to keep leading myself on especially if the terrible happened," Sadie finished softly. "I want to let her rest if her time is over."

"That's very honourable, Sadie."

"Thank you," Sadie tightly smiled. They heard a rustle in the hallway, and Ms. Dyer excused herself to berate the students running inside.

A lot of things could have been prevented. If Sadie or Ms. Dyer had completely closed the door, then maybe the hooded figure on the other side wouldn't have heard Sadie's careless words that set an entire future into motion.

Sadie continued meeting with Ms. Dyer over the course of March, the seventh month of Millie's disappearance.

"It just annoys me that she's still the focus," Sadie exclaimed. "Wow, okay, that sounds like I don't care, but I do. I just- there's no evidence to suggest she's alive nor dead. I don't know anymore. I genuinely don't know."

"Child abductions are a very hard thing to deal with, for both child and their support system which includes friends and family," Ms. Dyer explained.

"I know, it's just- I can't explain it. I wish I could," Sadie weakly ended.

"I don't blame you, this is a stressful situation, but I've seen your work in Mr. Heaton's class. It's gorgeous."

"Thank you," Sadie smiled.

"Focus on that. In fact, Mr. Heaton and I are going to be leading a field trip to the park. We'll be photographing the fashion students who have made dresses for the drama students."