It's been five years since the sudden disappearance of Cora Cadigan's mother. Five years since the case was closed before it even began.
In the final summer before the end of high school, Cora knows it's her last opportunity to find the answers she...
Just as an FYI, I wrote this chapter right after watching the film, Chemical Hearts, so it is a bit emotional. Nothing like a sad film to get you writing spontaneous sad chapters lol.
Make sure you've read chapter 47 first xx
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"Rhys?"
It takes me a matter of moments to reach him on the pier. I don't like to admit it, but when I'd seen him standing on the other side of the railing, hands plastered behind him, holding on, I'd ran. He hadn't noticed me approach, too focused on the sea before him.
He doesn't turn when I call his name. When I walk forward, tentatively, my feet kick at a bottle and it slides towards Rhys, bumping against the railing and stopping, before falling into the depths below us.
"Rhys," I say, suddenly breathless. "What are you doing?"
My eyes fall to the concrete, and I notice the few empty bottles of alcohol around my feet. My stomach plummets at the knowledge that he's been drinking.
"Rhys," I say, more urgently this time. "Climb back over. Let's talk, alright?"
I don't know what he's doing, but I'm unnerved. The way his muscles are tensing under his crisp, white t-shirt in the dark makes me flinch. It's as if he's psyching himself up to... jump.
I walk quietly towards him, afraid the smallest sound might frighten him. I try not to think of the worst possible reason as to why he's doing this, but it's already in the forefront of my mind.
I notice my hands shaking as I reach out to place the on his shoulders. He flinches, turning to face me suddenly. "Cora?" he whispers.
If it's possible for my heart to break anymore, it does. The look of pure desolation written across his expressions is a physical punch to my stomach.
"What are you doing here?" I breathe.
His eyes don't leave mine as he hands tighten against the bars behind him, knuckles whitening. I place my hand over his, rubbing his skin reassuringly. "Climb back over," I prompt, repeating my words soothingly.
