Redwood Diary: Book One

Chapter Twenty-Three: Needle-less Lies

After the new but suspected revelation that Adam was still alive, Miley and the others headed to their respective classes. They told Justin about what they knew as it related to his disappearance, and how they wanted to find him. He was now a part of it, and he wanted to help.

Miley and Aiden had gotten to class together. However, the teacher was not present, and about 30 minutes had already passed. The classroom was not packed, with around ten students inside, doing their own thing. Miley and Aiden agreed to use their supposedly free time to do some studying. Aiden however, realized that Miley was finding it hard to focus, and he suspected it was for a particular reason.

"Miley."

She gazed into his eyes. He was sitting beside her so he took her hand. "We're going to find him OK?"

She sighed. "But what if Brian's right. What if he doesn't want to be found?"

He thought about it. "Well there must be a reason. Whatever he had gotten himself into, he must be protecting you--and your parents from it by keeping his distance."

"What could he have possibly done to be on the run for three years?"

"I don't know--I don't want to think it's for the worst."

"He clearly has nowhere to go based on the pictures."

"I know."

"I'm just worried."

"It's OK to be worried. He's your brother. But we're going to find him. I promise."

She faintly smiled and nodded. She then placed her free hand on his. "What about The Mask? And the missing girl?"

"We don't know where they are right now. The only person who may know is--"

"Lana." Miley interjected, and he nodded. "But she isn't going to tell us anything."

Aiden was determined to get the truth from her, no matter what. "We'll just have to make her talk then."

🔪

Paige met up with Dominic at the basketball court after school. They were still going along with the plan to see Lana at her house, but he was training at the moment, so she waited on him by the benches.

She would jokingly applaud every time he made a shot, and he would chuckle at them. It was actually boosting him. He then made one more shot before calling her over.

"Come here."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Just come here."

She hesitantly got up from the benches, and walked towards him. "Wow, you're sweaty."

He rolled his eyes jokingly. He then handed her the ball.

"What's this?"

"That--is a ball." He then pointed to the basket. "That's a basket. I want you make a shot."

"Oh no--" she trailed off as she took a few steps backwards.

"Yes. Take a shot." He then approached her and grabbed onto her waist, positioning her at the three-pointer spot. "Stand right here--" she moved along with him. "Hold the ball like this--" he showed her by moving her arms in the right spot. "Then shoot. Concentrate on the basket." He then stepped away.