Palpable | Latent 2

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Dustin

Most of the days, I was spending my time looking around the time, trying to find... well, me. I didn't even bother tagging along with Sophronia to school. It gave me more time to look around.

I wasn't finding anything, however, and that was really upsetting. I hated seeing my family and friends worry about me, even after they found out that Sophronia could see me. They were afraid that something bad really has going to happen, and it didn't help that her aunt and uncle was asking for money. A lot of money.

While Sophronia was at school today, I walked around the town once again, even going in the same spots I already looked. I was hoping I could find something that would give me an idea of where I was, but nothing.

I was even hoping I could spot Ally or Jacob somewhere and follow them, but they were really being careful. I hadn't seen them anywhere, and neither had Sophronia.

I was sitting on the porch of the Millars' house, waiting for Sophronia to come home from school. I could always walk in now that they knew about me, but I felt too weird doing that since they would see it as the door opening up by itself.

Sophronia didn't take too long coming home from school. As soon as she saw me, she gave me a soft smile and sat down beside me. "So, any luck?" she asked.

I released a deep breath. "Nope. I couldn't find anything at all. They're being a lot more careful this time."

"Yeah, I know," Sophronia said. "Ever since you went missing, I stopped seeing my aunt all around the town. They're probably in hiding somewhere. The police will find them, and you, though. Don't worry about it."

"I'm not worried," I said. "Okay, I'm a little worried, but I know you are too."

Sophronia sighed. "Yeah, I am. It's not easy going by each day, knowing my aunt and uncle took my boyfriend and is demanding money just to keep him safe. I trust the police, though. They'll find you soon."

"Yeah, hopefully," I said. "Let's go inside."

Sophronia nodded and we got up before heading into her house, then going to her bedroom. As soon as we got in there, I pulled Sophronia into a hug. She hugged me back tightly. "I really miss going out places with you," she said. "Going to get sorbets, going to the movies, going mini-golfing."

"Yeah, me too," I said. "Thank you for being here for me, though. I don't know what I would do without out."

"Of course I'll be here for you," Sophronia said. "You're my boyfriend and I love you."

"I love you too," I said.

"We'll figure this out," she said. "The police isn't going to stop looking."

"Neither am I," I said. "It's going to be hard, but I'll do anything to make sure my friends and family are okay."

Sophronia looked up at me. "You know what I love? That you're thinking of your friends and family before you. You literally said you'll do anything to make sure your friends and family are okay, but you're the one in danger here."

"That's because I do want to make sure they're okay," I said.

"Because you're selfless," Sophronia said. "You care about other people before yourself and that's an amazing quality. But you do have to think about yourself first at times. You're the one in trouble, not your friends or family."