The Nerd

My Purpose

I stare at Clayton in shock. My mouth gaping like a fish out of water.

"A what?" I ask, believing I didn't hear him correctly.

Clayton groans, throwing the spatula in the sink, "See you idiot! This is why I didn't want to say anything right now! It's the last thing she needs." Clayton yells, looking at Declan.

Declan rolls his eyes and looks towards me, "A daughter."

I finally close my mouth. My mind racing with millions of thoughts. How come I didn't know? How did I not know? Where is she now? Where's her mother?

I let out a low laugh, pushing my plate to the side, "I get it," I start, looking at them, "This is some kind of joke?" I ask more than say, my face going serious.

Clayton looks over at me with cautious eyes, shaking his head, "Sorry Samantha, it's not."

I look down at the counter in front of me, trying to grasp everything.

"How did you find out?" I ask, looking up at the two of them.

Declan looks over at Clayton at the same time as Clayton looks at Declan.

"No you tell her, this whole dandy thing was your idea." Clayton says, throwing his hands up.

"We looked him up on the internet." Declan says.

"So you back ground checked my boyfriend?" I ask.

Declan nods, "Yeah, I guess you could call it that."

"How long ago?"

"While ago sorta, when we noticed you were missing."

I nod, the anger inside me building.

"And no one seemed to feel the need to tell me?"

"Couldn't exactly tell you when we couldn't find you." Clayton points out.

I nod my head.

"Take me to the apartment." I demand.

"Ok, we're going home later." Clayton says, picking up my plate of untouched eggs.

"No," I start, "I mean the apartment, Cashes apartment."

Clayton freezes as he places the plate in the sink.

"Samantha I don't think that's a good idea-" Declan starts.

I interrupt him, "I didn't ask you I'm telling you."

Clayton sighs, turning back around.

"Fine. We'll go." He says, walking off.

**********

We pull up to the three story tall complex of apartments.

"I'll be right back." I mumble, getting out of the car and walking up to the door of Cashes apartment on the first floor.

I squeeze my hands in my pockets as I walk, hoping and praying he left the door unlocked the day he kidnapped me or that the spare key is under the mat.

I get to the door, taking a deep breath as I set my hand on the cold knob, twisting it.

The door opens with a click, and creeks on the henges as I slowly push.

The whole apartment is dark, dishes untouched in the sink, remote, blankets, and pillows left exactly where me and Cash once laid on the couch.

I walk in, shutting the door behind me and quickly walk to the hall, turning right and into Cashes bedroom.