Why Lorie? Part II

Chapter 19: Where's Lorie?

Josette opened her eyes. For a few seconds, she didn't know where she was. The light coming through the closed curtains was dim, and the bed felt unfamiliar. She suddenly realized she had fallen asleep in Lorie's bed. She turned her head, looking for her daughter and gasped: Lorie wasn't lying next to her.

Josette jumped out of bed and rushed to the window, opening the curtains to allow the sunlight in. The bright morning rays lit up Lorie's room, and Josette frantically looked everywhere, but there was no sign of Lorie.

"Oh my God," Josette whispered. "Lorie?" She tentatively called out, but got no answer.

Josette carefully opened the door and peeked up and down the hallway: it was quiet and empty. She tiptoed back to her own bedroom and found her door shut.

"I was sure I left it open last night," she murmured as she twisted the doorknob.

Upon entering her bedroom, she found everything just the way she had left it: her street clothes were still in a pile on the bathroom floor. Josette rushed to her closet and pulled a robe over her undergarments, wincing as she inadvertently touched her bruised arm. She then put her slippers on and ran down the stairs, to the first floor.

The first person she literally bumped into was Peter. She grabbed him and pulled him closer, her eyes wild like a mad woman's.

"Have you seen Lorie?" Josette asked him, her voice full of urgency.

"Why? What's wrong?" Peter asked, raising his eyebrows.

"She's missing!" Josette answered. "Please, Peter... have you seen her?"

"No, but I just came downstairs a few minutes ago," Peter replied.

"Can you help me look for her?" Josette started panicking.

"Josette!" Peter grabbed her shoulders, trying to steady her. She let out a cry of pain as his hand landed on top of one of her bruises.

Peter took a step back. "What's the matter?" His voice was full of concern. "Are you hurt?"

"That's not important," Josette replied as she started running toward the den.

Peter followed her, starting to worry about her state of mind. Josette never came down unless she was impeccably put together — dressed and with her hair done. She usually greeted him with a smile and a hug. The woman in front of him was the complete opposite of what he was used to. Her hair was matted and wild, her face — streaked with unwashed make-up. Peter even caught a glimpse of her undergarments through her barely secured robe.

"Josette, wait!" Peter cried after her, but she ignored him and continued her frantic search.

"Lorie? Where are you?" Josette walked away from the empty den into the dining room, only to find it empty as well. "Oh my God! What has he done to you?" She was muttering under her breath while opening every door in her way and then slamming it shut.

"Josette! Stop!" Peter finally firmly planted himself in front of her. His forbidding tone stopped her in her tracks. "You have to calm down and tell me what happened."

Instead of words, a river of tears streamed down Josette's cheeks. She looked broken, her shoulders sagging as she covered her face with her trembling hands.

"Oh... Peter... if only you knew...," she muttered between sobs.

"Come here," Peter gently enveloped her in his arms, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. "It's alright... I'm right here," he murmured reassuringly in her hair.

He was able to guide her back to the den and lead her to the sofa, where he sat down, helping her sit next to him. Josette wouldn't stop crying. Peter had never seen her in such a state. He caressed her hair and whispered gently to her, trying to calm her down. After a good five minutes, Josette stopped sobbing. Peter handed her his handkerchief and she dried her eyes with it.