Obsession

Chapter 27

I've always found something about the rain peaceful and refreshing. The sound of it, the feel of it on my skin, the smell of it; it's always been a mood maker for me. While most associate rain with gloom, I associate it with new beginnings. Rain makes things grow. The earth needs it to move forward, to live and to thrive.

Today, the rain has taken on a new meaning for me. I've been sitting next to the window watching little streams trickle down the glass, pooling on the window pane and eventually dripping onto the ground below. The sound isn't as comforting as it usually is. Instead, it's like a thousand needles prickling my head.

I haven't slept in forty-eight hours. My body is exhausted, but I've entered into a form of delirium that I've never experienced before; one that makes it seem as if nothing is real.

And right now, I wish nothing was real.

No one has seen or heard from my mom since Tuesday afternoon. Her car was found at the grocery store on Wednesday, but after reviewing the security cameras, Daryl didn't find a trace of her. There's nothing showing her coming in or going out. No witnesses.

I could've sworn Kai had something to do with it, but according to police, his alibi checked out. They're still watching him, especially since I told Daryl that he could've been sneaking into the house through my bedroom window. So far though, he's done nothing suspicious.

"Knock, knock," dad says, peeking his head through my bedroom door. He steps inside holding a bag from In-N-Out Burger. "I brought you your favorite."

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry," I reply quietly, turning my attention back to the window.

"You have to eat something, Mara," dad says, sitting down on the edge of my bed. "You can't just shut down like this."

I look at him incredulously. "Then what am I supposed to do? Go on with my life as if nothing happened?"

He sighs and slumps his shoulders. "No, of course not. Look, I understand how you feel. I'm falling apart too. I still...I still love her. Not knowing where she is, or if something's happened to her, it's killing me. But I still have to take care of you, because that's what she'd want me to do."

His words cause my heart to sink. He's talking as if she's gone. I can't accept that. I won't.

I want to cry, but no tears come. There's probably none left.

Dad hands the paper bag to me and smiles. "Come on. Get some food in you and get out of this room for a while."

I reluctantly take the bag from him and open it up. Just the smell is enough to make my mouth water. I can't remember the last time I ate, but I know it's been at least a couple of days.

Dad watches me as I bite into the burger, the hint of a victorious grin on his face. "That's my girl."

After he gets up and leaves the room, I greedily devour what's left of the burger in seconds. Ketchup drips down my chin, but I don't care. I don't think I've ever been so hungry in my life.

"I got some extra napkins-" dad pauses and furrows his brows. "Are you already finished?"

I take a napkin from him and wipe my mouth. "I guess I was hungrier than I thought."

"Leo's here. I wasn't sure if you wanted company or not. He said you haven't been returning his calls or texts," dad grimaces. "Trouble in paradise?"

My heart stings with guilt every time I think of Leo. I've been avoiding him, but not because I want to. I just don't want him to see what I mess I am right now. "No, nothing like that. I'm just not in the mood to talk, I guess."