Pen Of Destiny

Chapter- 13

Ryan

Stunned and unable to find my voice, I stood there as Aria looked at me one final time before closing the door. "Just wanted to see you. Nothing else," she said, her eyes brimming with innocence. I never wanted to let her go, but I couldn't find the words to stop her. She moved away, and a sense of loss washed over me.

Immediately, I dialed Luke's number. As expected, he launched into a lecture about my strange behavior, but I merely rolled my eyes. The weight of confusion lingered within me, leaving me feeling lost and unsure of what to do next.

Unable to find solace in my thoughts, I eventually fell asleep.

The ringing of my phone abruptly awakened me. I groggily answered, my voice heavy with sleep. "Hello?"

"Ryan? It's Shayra!" the voice on the other end exclaimed with evident worry. The sudden urgency jolted me awake, causing me to sit up in bed.

"Shayra, is everything okay? You sound really worried," I replied, concern lacing my voice.

"Ryan, do you know where Aria is?" Shayra asked anxiously. I furrowed my brow, slightly annoyed by the implication that I might have any knowledge of Aria's whereabouts.

"She's probably at home," I stated calmly, quickly getting out of bed and heading towards the kitchen to grab a bite to eat.

Taking an apple in my hand, I absentmindedly took a bite before placing it aside. Shayra continued speaking, but I was distracted as I held my phone at eye level, my mind partially elsewhere. I poured myself a glass of water, barely paying attention to the conversation.

"Hello?" I called out, taking a sip from the glass.

"Did you hear me?" Shayra's voice sounded urgent.

"Yes..." I replied, my confusion growing.

"She's missing. She might be lost," Shayra's words hit me like a sudden blow. The glass slipped from my hand, shattering as it hit the floor. Ignoring the pain from the broken glass piercing my right foot, I barely registered the blood pooling around me.

"What are you saying?" My voice trembled with a mixture of shock and concern.

"Aria! She's missing, Ryan. I can't reach her or get in touch with her," Shayra explained urgently. The gravity of the situation finally sank in, overriding any physical discomfort I felt.

Without a second thought, I dashed outside, slipping on a pair of white sneakers I found along the way, not even bothering about the injury and blood staining my foot. The only thing on my mind was finding Aria.

Ryan

Running aimlessly, I sprinted through the streets like a man possessed. My phone continued to ring, but I paid it no mind, consumed by the singular focus of finding Aria. Each street I passed, I called out her name, desperately hoping for a response that never came.

Exhaustion eventually caught up with me, and I collapsed on the pathway, illuminated by the soft glow of a nearby streetlight. My foot throbbed with a searing pain, as if needles were piercing it with every beat of my heart. I knew I couldn't continue walking in this state.

Head in my hands, lost in despair, I heard the sound of a car approaching. It was Luke.

"Get inside the car, bro," he said simply, offering me a lifeline.

Summoning all my strength, I stood up, bracing my lower body to keep myself steady. "Luke, Ari-" I began, but he cut me off. "I know. Now, get inside."

Without further hesitation, I followed his instructions and climbed into the car.