𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 ⟶ Original

four.

WITH THEIR NEWFOUND knowledge, Evan and Angelica made missing posters and started to post them all over the town. After Melissa told her story, Evan and Angelica suggested that she call into the station and told her that they would create and distribute missing posters all over town. They also advised her to get some rest as she looked like she hadn't slept in days, even if it had only been a matter of twenty-four hours. It had been more than that now, but the next twenty-four would be quite the feat for Keira's mother as the station wasn't going to start searching for her until a day after she called. They wanted to leave a twenty-four hour wait time in case Keira came home in that time, but Melissa wasn't really sure that was going to happen.

As Evan and Angelica entered Dorothea's Place to put signs up in the windows and inside of the restaurant, Willow crossed their path, catching them before she passed.

"Hey guys," Willow greeted them with a smile, "Would you like your usual today?"

Angelica offered her a quick small smile and shook her head, "Actually-"

She tried to explain that her and Evan would not be sitting down that day as they had places to be, but she was interrupted by Willow and her curiosity.

"I'm sorry," Willow apologized once she realized that she rudely cut off her friend. As Angelica shook it off and signaled for her to continue, she did, motioning to the papers in Angelica's hands, "What've you got there?"

Evan and Angelica exchanged the same 'should-I-tell-her-or-should-you' look that they gave each other the day before, having a silent conversation with their eyes. The difference between that day and the day before, though, was the fact that they had to be the ones to deliver the bad news. It was different twenty-four hours ago, when they were positive that Keira was just sick, but now that she had a chance of not being okay, it was a totally different story.

After a long moment of uncomfortable silence, Evan spoke, "They're missing papers."

Angelica held her breath as Willow tilted her head to the side, her brows furrowed, "For who?"

Evan made an unintelligible noise, apparently trying to get words out that wouldn't come out. Angelica noticed this and filled in for him, her heart crushing as she spoke the words aloud.

"Keira," Angelica told Willow,"She's missing."

The smile was instantly wiped off of Willow's face, "She's... missing?"

A worried look captured her usually shining pale green eyes and a solemn look overtook her features. She looked so fragile, almost as if she was going to cry. The sight was hard to watch - Angelica and Evan cared about her and knew how much she cared about each one of them, and watching her bright spirits dim was expected, but hard to witness.

Angelica nodded, looking down at the smiling Keira in the photo on the missing flyers. It was crushing news, but she had to focus on the positives. She couldn't be mad at Melissa for how she acted to her daughter, but there was that annoying prick at the back of her head again, telling her that she should. It was life, and she'd just hold herself back dwelling on the fact that her best friend might not return from wherever she ran.

After a moment of silence in which Evan observed the pained look on Willow's face and Willow took in the information given, Willow managed to fight her sisterly instincts and just speak instead of act.

"Why?" Willow questioned, "How?"

A feeling as though a rock had settled in Willow's chest had overtaken her. She couldn't process the information right - Keira. Missing? Things like that didn't happen in Moorwood, and the reason why she ran - or whatever happened - better have been good. A confusing web of thoughts and feelings was weaving itself in Willow's head, and with each moment that passed, she became more and more confused.