Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
I reach down and grab my backpack and dig out my phone. I check for the millionth time that I have no missed calls or texts from her and it doesn't show that she’s even seen any of my messages. When I track her location nothing comes up and it’s as if the phone is destroyed. That could have happened but I still think she would’ve sent me an email or something to let me know she didn’t have her phone. I pray it’s something simple like she broke her phone and her laptop isn’t working and that she’s not worried about it because she knows I’m getting ready for finals. I’m supposed to be wrapping up my last few research papers and not stressing over where she could be.
I sit down on the sofa and hold my phone tightly in my hand, willing it to ring. I don’t know how long I stay like that but I jolt awake when I hear my ringtone. I realize I must have dozed off for a second but I grab it up quickly and answer the unfamiliar number.
“Hello.”
“Berkley.” I know the growly tone of Collins’s landlord immediately. And I’m relieved he’s finally calling me back. I’ve been on him for days about checking on her and he’s just now calling me. How hard is it to knock on the door of one of your tenants’ homes and do a simple check-in?
“Was she there?” I blurt out.
“Hi to you too,” he scoffs. I clench my jaw, reminding myself he has information I want and if I get snippy he’ll hang up on me.
“Sorry. Hi, Mr. Jones.” I’m gripping my phone so tightly my fingers start to ache.
“Hello to you too, Berkley.” I’m going to punch this man if I ever meet him.
“My sister?” I push as I rub the sleep out of my eyes.
“Gone.”
All the air is sucked out of my lungs as the one word tries to find logic in my mind. Gone? What does that even mean? I drop my hand from my face, feeling numb.
“Is she—”
“She broke her lease. It was paid off and her place has been cleaned out.”
“What?” That doesn't make any sense. “Why did she break her lease?”
“She didn't, her lawyer did.”
“My sister doesn't have a lawyer.” Now I know he’s lying. Oh my God, what if he did something with her and he’s trying to cover it up?
“She not only has a lawyer but she had a whole moving crew and a few men in suits roaming around. Y’all win the lottery or something?” He clicks his tongue like he’s the one trying to put the pieces together.
What is this man talking about? “I. Can’t. Find. My. Sister.” I yell each word through the phone so he can get on my level. He’s not understanding the severity of what’s going on here. No one is because I can’t get anyone to listen to me.
“Maybe she doesn't want to be found. I don’t know what to tell you.” With that, he hangs up on me.
My eyes fill with tears. He was my last hope. I’m more confused than before and a small spark of hope lights in my chest that maybe something crazy did happen. What if she did have a lawyer and moving crew? Did she get a kickass job that let her move and she’s been too busy getting it together to tell me? Either way, I know I have to go find out for myself.
I grab my backpack and pull out my laptop. I search through flights, thinking a last-minute one probably isn’t going to be possible. I don’t have the money for this. I have an emergency credit card but it wouldn't be enough to cover the flight.
I find a pen and do the math because there’s no choice. If I don't find out she’s okay, I’ll fail all my classes anyway. There’s no way I’ll be able to think about anything else until I know what’s going on.
I jump when a loud knock sounds at my door. I sit there for a second thinking it must be for my neighbor since no one comes to my place. The knock sounds again and this time it’s louder.
My adrenaline spikes when I wonder if maybe it’s Collins. I jump off the sofa and run to the door.
“Collins?” I call out as I yank it open. I should’ve looked through the peephole, because this is very much not Collins.
I go to slam the door in the big man's face. His hand swings out and catches it before I get it shut.
“I know where Collins is,” he says, his eyes roaming up and down my body. He looks me over and his lips twitch in an annoyingly handsome way.
“Why should I believe you?” I ask.
He sticks his foot out so I can’t close the door as his hand drops away. Now it’s my turn to take in my fill of him while he fishes his phone out of his pocket. He’s tall and solid with short hair on the sides and shaggy hair on top. He seems relaxed, which puts me a little at ease but something about him says money. Could this be one of the suits Mr. Jones was talking about? My impatience grows as I wait, even though it’s only been a second or two.