Palpable | Latent 2

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Sophronia

I was tired of feeling this way every single day. I didn't want to continue leaving my life in fear and paranoia ever since my aunt and uncle got out of prison. I didn't want to keep feeling like I wasn't actually seeing them because for all I know, I was.

On Saturday, I didn't want to take it anymore, so I reached for my cell phone and called Dustin's number.

"Hello?" Dustin answered after one short ring.

"Hey," I said, smiling softly to myself. That was yet another thing I loved about Dustin. He never took long at all to answer my calls. The longest it ever took was only two rings. "I was wondering if you wanted to go somewhere with me?"

"Yeah, of course," he said. "Filly is annoying me, so I kind of want to leave the house anyway. Where exactly do you want to go?"

"The police station," I said.

Dustin was silent for a bit. "The police station? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," I said. "I thought we could talk to Blake's dad and tell him that I possibly saw my aunt a few times. I know I have been feeling paranoid, but--"

"Soph," Dustin interrupted. "It's way better to be safe than sorry. If you want to go talk to him, then I will for sure come with you for support."

"Thank you," I said. "I really do want to go talk to him. I don't want to keep feeling like she's everywhere I go. I just want to move on with my life already. I thought I did, but then they escaped from prison and..." I stopped and took a deep breath. "When are you able to go?"

"Right now, actually," he said. "I just have to put my shoes on, as well as my winter clothing. Don't meet me there. I'll come over to your house and we'll walk there together. I... I want you to be safe and yeah, I'm a bit paranoid too."

"It's okay," I said. "I would rather want you to come here and have both of us walk over together than to meet up there."

"Then I will be right over," Dustin said. "Did... Did you tell your parents yet about the possibility of you seeing your aunt?"

I sighed. "No. They're already worrying too much about it. I don't want to make them worry more."

"I think you should tell them," Dustin said. "Trust me, it would be better for them to hear it from you than from anyone else."

I raised my eyebrow. "Like on the news?"

"Yes, like on the news," Dustin said. "In retrospect, I didn't think I would be on the news, so..."

I laughed slightly. "Yes, because the media was going to keep the anonymous the names of the two teenage boys who found a missing family."

"I should have asked for anonymity," he said. "Can you at least tell them after we get back from the police station?"

"Yeah, I will," I said.

"Okay," Dustin said. "I'm going to get ready to leave now. I'll be at your house shortly. I love you, Soph."

"I love you too," Dustin," I said. "And I know I've said this many times before, but I really want to thank you for everything you've done for me. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"And you are the best thing that has ever happened to me," Dustin said. "You don't have to keep thanking me for everything. It's what I do."

"I know," I said. "Thank you for that."

Dustin chuckled. "You're welcome, Soph. I'll see you soon."

"Okay," I said. "Bye."

"Bye."

I grabbed my winter clothing and headed down the stairs. Mom immediately saw me, giving me a curious look. "Where are you off to?" she asked. "You normally don't leave the house unless you're going to school or work."

"I know," I said. "Dustin wants me to start getting out more, so he's on his way over, then we're just going to go somewhere to hang out. I really don't want to be stuck inside all day anyway."

Mom smiled softly. "Alright. Do you know what time you'll be back?"

I shook my head. "No, but we'll most likely come back before we have to head off to work so we could practice our songs one more time. I'll text you to let you know."

I put on my boots first, then my jacket, toque, and gloves before waiting for Dustin to show up. It didn't take him too long and when he arrived, I put my phone in my pocket before telling Mom that I was leaving with Dustin now.

I walked outside and closed the door behind me. "Thanks for coming with me," I said.

"Yeah, of course," Dustin said before taking my hand in his. "I'll do anything for you."

I smiled softly at him before we started walking to the police station. When we got there, we immediately went to where Dustin's best friend's dad was. It was going to be a lot easier talking to a police officer we knew, even though all police officers were meant to help out everyone.

"Hey, Dustin and Sophronia," Blake's dad, Kevin, said when he saw us. "How are you doing?"

"Good," Dustin said. "Well, good-ish." He then looked at me and gestured for me to tell him.

"I don't know if I'm just being paranoid or not, but I have seen my aunt around town sometimes," I said. "She's usually just walking by, but I still see her. I'm not positive if it's actually her or if my mind is just playing tricks on me, though."

"Well, it is better to be safe than sorry," Kevin said. "I'll tell the officers that are on parole to keep an eye out for her. If you ever think you see her again, call us right away so some officers will have a rough idea of where she is."

"Alright," I said. "Thank you. That really will help me feel better."

"No problem," Kevin said. "It's what we do. I do suggest that you never go anywhere alone, however. I don't know if your aunt and uncle will try anything, but you should be on the safe side."

"I know," I said. "That's why Dustin came with me."

"Well, I know you are lucky to have him," Kevin said. "It was a shame my daughter wasn't able to see it, but Blake is constantly telling me how much happier Dustin is now."

"It's true, I am," Dustin said. "And thanks for not hating me over it."

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "I don't know why I would. You and Blake are still best friends, and Brooke was the one who messed things up between you. And between you and me, I never really liked that Asher. I don't know what Brooke saw in him. She just wants what she can't have."

"Tell me about it," Dustin said, and it was true. When she was dating Dustin, she wanted Asher. And now that Dustin was dating someone else, she wanted him again. It made no sense whatsoever.

"So, is there anything else I can do for you?" Kevin asked.

"No, that was it," Dustin said. "We just wanted to let you know that there is a high possibility the town is where Soph's aunt and uncle are hiding out."

"Alright," Kevin said. "I'll get the word out to the officers on parole right now so they can keep an eye out."

We thanked him before leaving the police station. "That definitely makes me feel a bit better know that the officers will be keeping an eye out," I said. "I hope they'll find my aunt and uncle before anything bad happens."