The Vanishing of Brandyn Taylor

Goose chase

I could feel my heart thumping in my chest as I read the email. This was the only lead I'd had since first searching for Brandyn. I hit reply, and began writing my response to Liam.

Hi Liam,
Thanks so much for the email. I've attached a few photos of Brandyn, I'm really hoping it was him you saw, thoughI don't know what he would be doing over there. I'm presuming he isn't still staying at the hotel now, going by what you've said? It's the best lead I've had since he first went missing. I really appreciate you going through the CCTV, there must be a lot to search through. If there's anything I can do to help just let me know. I'm not sure what to do now to be honest. It's not too far away, I might even come to look around the general area, as much as I know I'm not likely to bump into him, I've got to do something. I can't sit around doing nothing and just hoping he turns up again one day. I'll have a think on it. Thanks again.
Kiera

If I was going to take a look around the area near the hotel, I had to make sure my parents didn't find out what I was doing. After the fiasco on the way back from our trip to wales I couldn't see them letting me go. I also knew if I told Rachel my plans she'd want to go with me, and I wasn't sure that was a good idea so soon after the accident. She would say that she was fine, even if she wasn't completely. The likelihood that I'd find Brandyn, especially in an area I had never been to before and didn't know, was highly unlikely, but I'd gone to Wales in my search for him; this was nothing in comparison to that. I guessed it could take some time for Liam to go through all the security footage, with him not being certain of the exact day he thinks he saw the boy. I was pretty sure Liam could email me part of the footage if he thought it was Brandyn, but a huge part of me wanted to rush over to the hotel right away, and see the footage as Liam looked through it. I couldn't do that though, I didn't want to seem too pushy, Liam was doing me a huge favour after all. The longer I left going to look there for Brandyn the more chance there was that he could have moved on. I knew that was a risk anyway, but now there was a possibility he had stayed in a hotel, I could try others in that area. He might possibly have stayed in one of them too.
I wondered if I told Tim my plans would he be able to keep them secret from Rach', at least until I'd gone or returned. It wasn't that I didn't trust her, I knew that I could, but I didn't want her overdoing things, even though she did seem better by now.

Rachel looked over to me, and I felt sure she somehow knew my thoughts, which was daft I know.

"You ok boo?" She asked. "You're awfully quiet over there."

"Yeah I'm good," I replied, "just checking my emails and stuff."

"Anything interesting?"

"Nah not really. I think I'll give Tim a text now." I said as I picked up my phone.

"Good idea. Fancy a cuppa?"

"Yeah, I'll make them, I don't mind. Tea or hot chocolate?"

"Do I even have to answer that?" She laughed.

"Chocolate it is then."

While I waited for the kettle to boil I sent Tim a text, explaining about the email and letting him know that I hadn't let on to Rachel about it yet. He replied almost right away.

'I get why you wouldn't tell her. And I know what you're thinking; you're gonna go over there aren't you?'

I took a few moments to think about my reply, while I put the chocolate powder in one mug and a teabag in another. I already knew the answer to that though.

'Yeah I am. I know it's unlikely I'll find him, but I've got to try.'

'I'd rather you didn't go alone though Kiera. Any sign of the stalker today?'  Was Tim's reply.