Isla
I peeled my eyes open to see the time as seven o'clock. A little latter than I usually slept for, I observed. I peered across April's sleeping form to see Charlotte's bed was empty.
I crawled out of bed, padding over to stand over April.
"April." When she didn't stir I began poking her in the shoulder. "April, April!"
April jolted awake her fangs protruding from her gums and her eyes a deathly shade of red. "What the fuck?"
"Charlotte has gone M.I.A." I gestured to Charlotte's bed.
With a murderous look April sat up in bed, following my gaze to her bed. "She was the last person I pegged to run away."
"No kidding!" I raked my fingers through my hair, knotting it in my fists out of anxiety. "We have to tell someone."
April slowly got out of bed, practically moving like a snail to her wardrobe as she took her damn time.
"Take your time, it's not like our friend is missing!" I urged her to hurry the hell up.
"Christ Isla!" April threw her uniform onto her bed. "Keep your voice down."
We changed into our uniforms before heading downstairs. We met Riley and Anna in the dining room.
"Morning girls." Anna's smile faded on registering our expressions.
"Charlotte's missing, she didn't come to bed last night." I blurted out in a rush.
"When did you last see her?" Riley questioned.
"Before she entered the bathroom, she was having a shower when I left the room yesterday. She was gone when Isla came back." April explained in a more collected tone.
"I'll go talk to the headmaster." I watched Riley leave the dining room.
Anna began speaking with April so I quickly snuck away to follow Riley, anxious for answers. I stopped walking when he entered the headmaster's office. I stood still for a few seconds before I began pacing up and down. A million questions raced through my mind, where could she be? Why would she leave? Did someone kidnap her? What would someone do with her?
When Riley finally left the headmaster's office he embraced me in a comforting hug. "Her parents' are being rung."
A tear escaped, rolling down my left cheek. "How does this happen?"
Riley caught my tear with his thumb. "Everything's going to be okay, we'll find her." He spoke consolingly.
"Don't make promises you can't keep."
He pulled me in for another hug before we had to break apart when the Headmaster appeared.
"Her parents do not know of Charlotte's whereabouts, the police have been informed."
I slapped a hand over my mouth to stifle a scream.
"If you and your friends need space, feel free to see Anna at any time." He informed before heading back into his office.
Riley lightly kissed my forehead. "Are you okay for class?" His breath fanned my face.
"I think so." I swallowed deeply.
"If you need me, I'm here." He kissed me briefly on the lips before we had to part for class.
I received one of April's rare hugs by my locker.
"Shakespeare fixes everything." She said with assurance.
"Our best friend is missing, and now I have to sit through fifty minutes with the ex from hell?" To say I wasn't having a good day would be an understatement.
YOU ARE READING
DUCHAS (The Drive Within, Book 2 in Baile series)
FantasyA lot has happened since Isla and her friends assumed their supernatural abilities and in the second half of the year more secrets will unravel, powers will enhance and lives will be put on the line. The stakes have never been more high as the story...
