The Awakening

10 - Phone Calls to Hell

"Hello, Gemmy it's Georgia. Yes you are right, it has been a while, how are the girls? Good good. Glad to hear. Listen, I don't suppose Cassie is with you?" Mrs Bastion heart filled with hope each time she dialed another number; that there had been a misunderstanding and that somewhere out there her daughter would be found with a friend. Yet so far, more questions had been raised that answered and each phone call opened the still fresh wounds as she had to recount what was happening.

"What do you mean she had cancelled the Hen Night arrangements?" queried Georgia. "Gemmy, this makes little sense dear. I've got Avery here, she knew nothing about this, are you sure? Gemmy hold on a sec, let me put you on the loud speaker."

"Mrs Bastion, Cassie said she wanted to arrange the Hen Night, every detail, that she had something special planned instead - that's all. She wanted to give us a big surprise, even though it was her day...But I don't know what she the arrangements were. I don't think she told anyone," Gemmy continued. Avery and Georgia could hear pages ruffling in the background and the sound of something dropping as if a pen rolling off the side of a desk. 

 "I think she liked the fact she had it all under wraps. I'm sorry Mrs Bastion, I have to go now, I have a class to teach and the bell has gone. I'll circulate a text to see if someone has seen Cass. I'll let you know if I hear anything. Don't worry - it's Cass. Catch you later." She said finishing the phone call sharply. The sound of chairs brushing against the laminate could be heard, then a deep exhaling before the dial tone met her ears.

"Is that the case Avery?" Mrs. Bastion looked to Avery, frustrated at the lack of detail.

"She said she wanted to deal with it. In all honestly, I think she thought Gemmy was going overboard with it all and it took her out of her comfort zone. You know what she's like. Gemmy has a habit of arranging these big expensive extravaganzas and them telling you afterward you need to all chip in on the bill. She doesn't mean it but she doesn't think. I feel that Cassie was also wondering what she might let herself into. She thought she would be much happier taking control of it." Avery stared down at her lap, playing with the edge of her shirt. Truthfully she thought Cassie canceled because of her. She wouldn't have been able to go, she couldn't leave her mother overnight and she had no one that could take care of her. Guilt riddled Avery as she thought changing the plans could be the reason for Cassie to be missing. Avery moved about in the seat, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

"Phew, now I understand, I was worrying she wanted out of the wedding and she hadn't shared that with me." Georgia wiped the back of her hand across her forehead and smiled at Avery, realizing she had upset the poor girl.

"No that wasn't the case, far from it. My understanding she was adored up. She was so excited over the wedding arrangements, it was only the Hen Night that troubled her."

Avery clasped her hands over Georgia's hoping to put her mind at ease and yet knowing in the same breath that this small comfort would not bring Cassie back.

Avery checked her wrist watch as the morning slipped away. "Listen, why don't you keep calling and I'll hand out the flyers you made on my way to work? I've got to check on mum." Avery rose kissing Georgia on the forehead. The woman barely acknowledged the affection, lost in thought.

"We'll find her. I have this...feeling." Avery truly believed every word.

Avery was fairly certain that Georgia did not even hear her as the door closed behind her, as footsteps were the only thing she heard across to the hall back to her own condo before Georgia's voice drifted through the wall with a mixture of hope and fear, "Hi, it's Georgia..."

***

Avery pulled at the lapels of her jacket trying to preserve the warmth. Buried within her jacket she clutched the stack of papers, crinkled from her grip. Printed on the page a picture of Cassie that her mother had knocked over the other day, was the close-up image of Cassie. Her heart warming smile shone out to the world hidden inside of Avery's jacket as it shouted find me.

As she passed a group of young woman Avery stopped pulled a page out and handed it to them. Their sad eyes all took in the girl in the photo before shaking their heads continuing on their way.

"Thank you," Avery turned the corner it was the first group of many and she tried to maintain her confidence of earlier. She felt close, but maybe her intuition was off.

If you liked this chapter please do vote (please hit the star) and if you have time to comment that would mean so much to us as, as your feedback inspires us and we thrive on feedback.

We would love to hear from you and feel free to message us here on our joint profile or on personal profiles Kimberley S B Lieb and Heather Coyle

No part of this may be reproduced or transmitted in any forms or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission of the authors.

Many thanks, Kimberley S B Lieb and Heather Coyle