Road in the Night

5

            By 6th period, the halls were buzzing. Everywhere I went, I heard Kate's name. I gritted my teeth, and acted just as surprised as everyone.

"Dude, I can't believe Kate is missing! Like I so knew something was up. She is like never absent!" Alex says, joining me in the halls. I push back tears.

'Yeah, it's...crazy. I wonder what happened." I murmur, clutching my binder even closer to my chest. Alex shakes his head.

"She wouldn't run away! Like her life was perfect. She had too been taken." Alex bites his lip nervously, in a cute way.

"Maybe." I say. Alex shakes his head, ducking into our 6th period classroom. Looking down at my arm, I see goosebumps forming, not from the cold. I sit next to Alex, and once again forget to take notes. While I click at my pen, Alex slides me a note scribbled on a ripped piece of paper. His writing is unnaturally neat against his crumpled paper. All his school supplies are ripped, crumpled or missing.

We should find Kate together. You free after school? He writes. I shake my head, my hair brushing across the back of my chair.

You're crazy! How would we find Kate? I write. He frowns, but the corners of his mouth turn up when he catches me looking at him.

I have no clue. We look everywhere. Her house...after school activities. His writing looks so sure, so...determined.

Okay. I scribble, my heart beating. My head rushes, and I don't even hear the teacher talking anymore. I wonder where Kate is. Does she know that I tried my hardest to save her? Alex grins.

The bell rings, startling me out of whatever trance I was in. I brush the hair out of my eyes, and with and with a sigh stand up. Heading to down the hall, I can spot where Kate's locker had been. Already, notes plaster it. This doesn't surprise me. Kate wasn't what you would call popular, but she was well liked, and perfect. That's the thing, Kate was perfect. Why would she, of all people be at a party, and get kidnapped? Why would she be at a party? She's usually studying.

One of the notes say, hope you are found soon. Me too. I force a smile at Chris when I see him waiting by my locker like usual.

"Hey girl! Do ya want to go to the mall with Mya and me? Sephora is having a sale and I so need a new mascara." Chris says, glowing with happiness. I shake my head.

"Sorry, I'm hanging with Alex today." I say. I expect Chris to be disappointed, but instead he grins wider.

"Ooh! Alex Fargo! He's like such a hottie. He is killing that blonde superman act. Damn Liya, how did that happen?" He gushes.

"Studying. Yep. Studying. That's what we are doing. For Science. Yeah." I say. Chis starts brushing my hair.

"Well you look a little bit tired, but pretty otherwise. Good luck!" He kisses me on the cheek twice before hopping away. I sigh, and pull open my locker. Alex appears by my side when I go too shut it.

"Hey." He breathes.

"Hey." I say, following him out of the school.

"So, we have to get into her house and I have an idea. "Alex says.

"Alright, what do you have in mind?" I ask. He grins.

"We pretend to be taking care of their lawn for them, and when they are away, break in!" He says. His enthusiasm is contagious.

"Okay." I agree. A few minutes later we appear at her doorstep. Alex knocks. A puffy eyed woman answers.

"Ello?" She sniffs. I realize this woman is Kate's mother. She looks like Kate, a marshmallow wears Kates face. She must have found out the news a few hours ago.

"Hey ma'am. I'm so sorry about your daughter. My name is Alex, and this is Liyann. We go to school with your daughter." Alex says with a sympathetic smile. Kate's mom takes an attempt at a smile.

"Nice to meet yawl." She says. I wave shyly.

"We were hoping we could maybe like help with yardwork, mowing, weeding, that sort of stuff. Just to help ease stress a bit." I say, Kate's mom breaths.

"Sure, uh just go on back. I'm going down to the station. My name is Jane. Thank you." She says, walking past us and to her car. Alex grins at me, and moths too easy.

We find the spare key in a nick of time, it was under a potted plant right by the door. To make Jane think we did her lawn, Alex mowed while I picked up leaves quickly. When we were done, we opened the door with ease. Suddenly, I was knocked down by a furry wet, growling. I scream, trying to shove it off me. Then it's gone, and Alex is laughing holding a pint sized chihuahua. I wipe drool off my face, and follow Alex upstairs.

Then we enter Kate's room.