Been You

Chapter 52: Find Her With Me

JUSTIN'S POV:

I'm still running my fastest, but my thoughts are running even faster. I heard Ely scream and a voice that had to have been Tyler. Then, nothing. I'm scared out of my mind, so I can't even begin to imagine how Ely feels. I need to get to her as soon as humanly possible.

Once I reach Sycamore street, my stomach drops twenty stories. She's not there. She did seem like she was having trouble getting her bearings. Could she have said the wrong street name by mistake? Probably not, it's too close to the pizzeria for it to be a mistake. It's not like it matters anyway, this is all I know and Ely isn't answering. It is dark, so I decide to inspect the street more closely. She must've been so afraid to be out here alone. I continue to call Ely, just in case. I hope to hear her voice through the phone, but what I do hear is so much worse. I hear a phone vibrating against the sidewalk across the street. On instinct, I run to it across the street without even looking for cars. I pick it up. The case is pink and sparkly; the lock screen is of me kissing her on Halloween. My heart hurts at the memory. Where is she? I take my phone to dial the shortest phone number in existence.

"911, what is your emergency?"

"My girlfriend is missing! We need to find her!" I said, struggling to get the words out.

"Okay, kid, how long has she been 'missing?'" The tone in the operator's voice unsettles me. Their lack of concern infuriates me.

"Her name is Elysandra Quiñones, she just went missing a few moments ago. I was on the phone with her and I heard a scream, I think her ex -" I start before I'm cut off.

"Okay, okay, kid, slow your roll. We have a 48 hour policy. 'Missing' persons usually tend to show up on their own within the first 48 hours. If the 48 hours pass, and you still don't hear from the person, please call back or drop by your closest station. Thank you," the operator recites before hanging up immediately after. I'm so filled with rage that I punch the closest street sign. I don't feel the pain. Anxious and afraid, I run my fingers through my hair trying to figure out what to do. Think, Justin. Think. I begin running to the only public safety location on campus that I know. Chances are that it isn't the closest one, but I don't have time to search. While running, I pull out my phone, dialing another recent phone number.

"Justin?"

"Za, oh my god, man, I need your help," I say, finally breaking down in tears. I can't lose her.

"Okay, calm down, bro. What's wrong?" He asks concerned. Finally, someone is concerned.

"Ely's missing, I think her ex took her," I say, my voice breaking.

"Took her, as in..." Za asks, annoying me.

"Took her as in: I was on the phone with her, she was afraid and crying. I heard her scream and her ex's voice. I just found her phone in the middle of the street. 911 won't help for two days. Ely's fucking missing, man!" I cry.

"Okay, man, it's alright. We're gonna find her," he soothes. "Ti and I are gonna come help, okay? Where are you? Where did you find her phone?"

"I'm headed to the public safety by the hockey house, but I found her phone on Sycamore street, near the pizzeria we used to eat at during the preseason."

"Okay, Justin, we'll meet you at public safety. It shouldn't take us long, we're at the house. And Justin?"

"Yeah, man?" I ask, my voice tired.

"It's gonna be okay," he says softly before hanging up. I'm so scared. She sounded so upset on the phone. I should've ran faster. I should've came earlier. I should've never allowed Tyler back into her life. I knew he was bad news the whole time, but I didn't do anything. Why didn't I do anything. A small voice in my head answers for me. Because I was selfish. I didn't was Ely to be mad at me, so I did whatever she wanted, regardless on whether or not I knew it was bad for her. I called myself being selfless and putting her wants first, when in reality, I was really putting my wants before her needs. I could kick myself. If the universe gives me the chance, I'll never let any harm come to her, I swear. I swear.