Alana spent the whole day furiously working in her studio, burying herself in her projects, designing new installations, adding more to her ceiling piece. She kept her head down and spoke to no one. Somehow, she felt like if she immersed herself in her work she could somehow escape the strangeness of her life.
It was effective, for a little while. But then her thoughts turned to the image in her head of Riley and Elias in the ice cream parlour. Riley always wanted him, that was no secret. Even that very first gig they had been to, she kept insisting he was looking at her.
It wasn't as much Riley's side of things that confused her. It was Elias. Riley, she could imagine, would simply find it too difficult to turn him down. She obviously didn't care too much anymore about Alana's feelings. And she didn't seem to care that Alana had been with him first. Elias could be attractive, she knew that more than anyone. Very attractive. The way he looked at you, like you were the first girl he had ever seen. His fascination with everything you said.
It had made Alana feel good, that night, being listened to, and excited - like being around him meant something amazing was about to happen. Riley would never resist that in fact she would do everything in her power to seek it out.
But Elias. What did he see in Riley? Had she become one of the 'girls' he referred to in his letters? Or something more? Alana found it hard to believe that he would think of her that way ... But then she hadn't done a great job of predicting his behaviour so far.
She knew he was crazy, she had tried to tell Riley what he was like, but she hadn't listened. Perhaps it was all over. Perhaps Elias and Riley would live happily ever after together in a perfect little world. Perhaps Elias would leave her alone finally and she'd have Riley to thank for it.
She threw down her pencil, ready to pack up for the day. She had created lots of work, there were some designs that she felt sure would really turn into something. As she looked at them she couldn't help noticing how much darker they had become, how the shapes had become more complex and foreboding, like rain clouds hanging in the sky.
She packed up her rucksack, filling it with her art supplies, then headed out the college. She walked quickly, always scanning the area to see who might be around, keeping her head low and her hair over her eyes. Hiding was becoming a habit now.
She crossed the park, then came out onto her street. As she passed her local newsagents a headline on a sandwich board sign caught her eye.
'YOUNG WOMAN GOES MISSING'
She clenched her fists, filled with a sudden sense of unease. She checked around her once again then shot into the shop to find out more. There, on the front page of a local newspaper was an image of Riley, smiling at the camera. I know that photo, I took that photo! A chill crept along her spine as she stepped forward to read what it said.
'22-year-old Riley Hammond was reported missing on the morning of 2nd June by her mother, April Hammond. She was last seen in the Fetherton district, riding a bike alone, wearing a large red jumper and black leggings.
The police and Riley's mother are asking for anyone who might have seen or heard from her to step forward immediately. A large scale manhunt began just hours after she was reported missing.
April Hammond claims she knew something wasn't right when her daughter failed to turn up for Sunday dinner, a family ritual that is never missed.
She also failed to show up for work at The Sun Inn where she works as a part time waitress. If you, or anyone you know saw anything that evening, please call the number below ...'
Alana turned from the newspaper and ran out of the shop, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts all at once. It had to be Elias. It had to be something to do with him.
A wave of panic rose up as she thought of the things he could have done, and then of the danger her family could be in. Her feet pounded the pavement all the way home, until she flung open the front door, panting and shouting her daughters name. As she stepped inside she noticed what lay under her foot. Bright red envelopes. Three of them.
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ALANA'S MISTAKE ✔
Misterio / Suspenso| COMPLETED | Alana Templeton married young and and wonders if there might be more out there for her. When she meets the irresistible leader singer of a band, she makes a catastrophic mistake.
