I've Got Your Back

chapter 18

Chapter 18

My heart stopped. I felt the walls caving in, my whole world falling apart. My knees buckled and I had a sensation of falling down. Somebody caught me and laid me down on the couch. " Ava," I heard my name being called. It was as if I was drowning, my ears clogged with water. "Ava." The voice was clearer now.

And then I remembered.

I shot up, instantly regretting it when the pounding headache came. My vision was blurry but I felt strong arms steadying me. I turned my head my surroundings slowly coming into place. I was aware of Hunter and his lips moving but I didn't hear what he was saying.

"Ava," he said a little louder "we are doing whatever we can to find Tyler."

Tyler.

I couldn't believe this was happening. I had to do something! I put my head on Hunter's shoulder and said, "We have to find him, we have to."

He kissed the top of my head and stroked my hair, "We don't even know if he was for sure taken yet. For all we know, he's by a friend and will show up soon."

I jerked away from him, as if he slapped me.

"Something's wrong, I can feel it. Tyler would never just 'not come home' he knows how worried his family gets. It doesn't make sense."

He sighed, "We'll find him, I know we will."

I wanted to ask him how he was so sure, but my mother interrupted us, "Hunter, why don't I drive you home? Its getting late."

"Thank you Mrs. Montgomery." He said and squeezed my hand "I'll see you tomorrow, try to get some rest."

That's gonna be hard, I thought as they closed the door behind themselves. I got up from the couch and went to get myself a glass of water. I looked at the clock and it read 12:17 am. I couldn't believe Hunter stayed so late, he really was the greatest.

I went to bed to try and sleep but it was no use. I laid there staring at the ceiling in frustration. Images of Tyler scared and alone, being beaten and tied up flooded my mind. I closed my eyes trying to shut them out. Nobody believed he was actually missing, but I knew something was wrong. The police said they won't sent out a search party before 24 hours of him missing, but by then it could be too late. I called his phone over and over again but I always got his voicemail.

I don't remember falling asleep but the next thing I knew I was being woken up by my alarm clock. My mom poked her head into my room and said,

"Honey I'm gonna drive you kids to school today. I don't feel comfortable with you on the train now."

"You're making me go to school?" I asked in disbelief

She stepped into my room, crossing her arms over her chest and said,

"And why wouldn't I?"

"I can't be in school with Tyler out there mom. I need to do something, I have to go out and look for him!" I said my voice getting higher at the end

"Absolutely not Ava Montgomery. Staying home will not help Tyler. You need to go to school, and get on with your life. I know it's hard but the police will do their job and you'll help them when the time comes. I'm not going to argue with you. Get dressed I'm driving you in a half hour. And don't think about leaving early, I plan on picking you kids up after." she said and left my room

I punched my pillow in frustration, splitting it in half. She was wrong. I wouldn't accomplish anything by going to school. I knew from past experiences that it was absolutely useless to argue with my mother. She was a stubborn woman that one.