Lonely girl (a Tony Perry romance)

chapter 3

"Talk to me" he said, gently, not wanting to scare her. She shook her head, ever so slightly and walked towards the doors.

He watched her walk away and felt so hopeless. Someone was obviously hurting her and he didn't know how to help. He looked sadly at her retreating back and decided to go after her. By the time he got outside she was gone.

He swore in frustration and headed to his car. He saw a piece of paper under the windscreen.

HELP ME it said. She must have left it. He looked all around but couldn't see her.

He got out his phone and rang Vic. Being the eldest and generally most sensible in the band, he might know what to do.

Tony asked Vic to meet him at home. "I don't know what to do" he muttered to himself, before starting the car.

When Vic arrived, Tony offered him a drink and not really knowing how to explain, he showed Vic the note.

"Does she wear a name badge? Most employees in shops have to as part of their uniform" asked Vic.

"Hers just says trainee on it" sighed Tony. He ran his hands through his hair in exasperation.

"I keep thinking I'm going crazy, then I see her again looking more beaten and it breaks my heart. She looks so fragile" he whispered.

"Do you want me to meet you there tomorrow to see if there's anything we can do, any info we can get on her?" asked Vic.

"Yeah, maybe I won't feel so crazy then" sighed Tony.

The next day, they met up at Tony's before heading off. Neither of them had mentioned anything to Mike or Jaime. At this moment in time, as far as Tony was concerned, less people knowing was a good thing.

They walked around the shop twice and Tony couldn't see any sign of her. Maybe she had a day off? Vic spotted someone he had been in school with working there and asked him if he knew who she was. He didn't but might not have worked the same shift as her.

They made their way back to Tony's car and immediately saw another note.

PLEASE HELP ME

He quickly showed it to Vic who was rather freaked out by this.

They both scanned the car park but she wasn't there.

"That's freaky Tone" said Vic. "How would she even know you were here, write that note, leave it and vanish so quickly?"

Tony felt really shaken. He had had another nightmare the previous night and she had been holding her arm, sobbing and crying out for help. He needed to find her, to help her.