Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Her eyes widened, and she nodded. “Oh no. We’ll find someone to cover for you. No worries.”
As I ran out of the building, I dialed Josh. We hadn’t spoken since our long phone call a week ago, and I hated that this was going to devastate him.
“Carly? Everything okay?” he asked as he picked up.
“Oh, Josh...” I started to cry.
“Carly, what’s wrong? Are you crying?”
“Lorraine just called.” I sniffled. “Scottie escaped from the group home. The police are searching for him.”
“What?” he shrieked. “Oh my God. How the fuck could that happen? That place was like Fort Knox.”
“A new staff member neglected to lock a back door, and that was apparently all it took.”
“Fuck. I’m getting on the next flight.”
“Me too. I’m in my car now headed to the airport. I’m gonna call to book myself on the next flight out as soon as we hang up.”
“Carly…” His breaths were erratic. “I’ll never forgive myself if anything happens to him.”
“Don’t go there, Josh.” I started my car and raced down the road. “We can’t go there.”
***
Thank God, after I landed in New Hampshire, I was able to get a rental car fairly quickly. Another blessing? There was nearly no traffic between Manchester and Woodsboro.
When I arrived at Wayne’s house, I used my key to open the door.
Lorraine was standing in the middle of the living room, looking lost.
“Anything?” I begged.
“No. I’m so scared.” She rushed over and threw her arms around me.
I pulled back. “Did Josh get here yet?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “He’s already out with the search team.”
“Okay.” I took a deep breath. “I’m gonna use the bathroom and then I’ll meet up with him.”
Just as quickly as I’d entered the house, I was in my car again, headed back down the road. Though I shouldn’t have been using my phone and driving, I voice-texted Josh to find out his exact location.
When I got to a street around the block from the group home, I saw him standing on the corner. After finding the nearest parking spot, I rushed out of the car.
Josh’s eyes looked sunken, yet wild at the same time. He was completely distraught, and he hadn’t noticed me yet.
“Josh,” I called to get his attention.
He turned, the pain in his eyes easing ever so slightly. “Hey.”
We fell into each other’s arms for a moment.
When he released me, he said, “The police told me not to get involved, but there’s no way I’m sitting around doing nothing while he’s out there somewhere. I’ve been searching the area on foot, but I think we should drive around now.”
“Let’s go,” I urged.
We jumped into Josh’s rental car and drove through the neighborhood. I held his hand the entire time, as if holding onto him was holding us both together. Scottie had to be okay. But really, anything could have happened by now. Scottie had never even crossed the street by himself. I had to push the what-if thoughts from my mind.
I’d never seen Josh like this, so laser focused. As we drove slowly in silence, he balanced paying attention to the road with scouring the area for clues.
He suddenly pulled over. “I think we should park here and walk for a while.”
“Should we go in separate directions?”
Josh pondered that for a moment before he nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. Best use of time.” He exhaled. “But please be careful, Carly.”
He’d been smart and grabbed two flashlights from the house, since it was dark out now. We each took one and went in opposite directions, vowing to keep in contact via text.
After an hour of looking, the situation started to feel grim. I didn’t feel entirely safe wandering the dark rural roads alone, but I would’ve stayed out here all night if it meant finding Scottie.
I texted Josh.
Carly: Anything?
Josh: No. I can take you back to the house for the night, but I’m going to stay out.
Carly: I don’t want to go back. I want to keep looking.
Josh: Okay. Meet me back at the car?
Josh was holding a bag when I returned to the car.
“I bought some water and snacks,” he said, handing it to me. He leaned against the car with his head in his hands. “Do you pray, Carly?”
“Not enough, but I sure as hell have been today—under my breath pretty much constantly.”
He turned to me, his eyes red. “If he took a device with him, it’s gotta be running out of battery power by now.” He shook his head. “What the fuck? This wasn’t supposed to be the way things turned out. I’ll never forgive myself if anything happens to him.”
“I know,” I muttered, rubbing his back. “We can’t lose him.”
After some tears and a quick moment of hysteria, we managed to pull ourselves together again. We continued combing the streets on foot with our flashlights until sunrise. My eyes felt so heavy, and Josh had bags under his. We must have looked like zombies.