Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
I glance at my watch. It’s now 2:17 p.m.
I wait and I wait.
The parking lot is completely empty now. I call her cell, but there’s no answer.
Where is she?
2:35 p.m.
What the fuck?
I begin to bounce my leg. I have to leave now or I’m going to be late picking Sammy up. I try to call her again.
No answer.
I call Frances. “Hello, darling,” she answers.
“Are you at home? Can you do me a favour?” I ask.
“Of course, what’s wrong?”
“I can’t find Will and I’m going to be late picking Samuel up if I wait.”
“That’s fine, I can get him.”
“Oh, could you? Thank you.”
“Of course, but where’s Willow?”
“I don’t know. She hasn’t come out of the school yet. I’m going to go in and look for her now.”
“Okay, dear. We’ll see you back at your place.”
I call Julian. “Hey, babe,” he answers.
“Have you heard from Will?” “No, why?”
“She hasn’t come out of school. I’ve been here for nearly an hour now.”
“She’s probably in detention or the library or something. I’ll call her now. I’m just about to leave for home anyway,” he says. “Court has finished for the day.”
I frown. “Okay, see you at home.”
I get out of the car, make my way into the main block of the school, and I head down the corridor. The school is completely deserted.
What the hell? Where are all the teachers? Does the school just completely clear out in half an hour?
I walk down to the maths block and back over to the Library, but there’s nobody in sight.
Is she even at school today?
I begin to panic.
Has something happened? This isn’t like her at all.
I begin to jog down the corridor, dialling her number again as I run with my heart racing in my chest.
I hear her phone ring, and I quickly look around. I find her school bag outside a science lab. I bend down and open up the bag, taking out her phone as it rings. The name Brelly lights up the screen.
It’s definitely her bag.
Where the fuck is she?
“Will?” I call. “Willow, are you here?” I open the classroom door. “Willow?”
I hear a bang on a storeroom door, and I run to find it locked on the outside. I turn the lock and pull the heavy door open to find Willow wet with tears and perspiration. She falls into my arms. “Baby, what happened?” I whisper, horrified.
She sobs against my chest, shaking with fear.
“Did they lock you in there?”
She nods as she cries in complete distress.
“Oh, pumpkin.”
I hold her tight. She's so distraught that she slides down my body and I can't hold her upright. We end up sitting on the floor together in an embrace.
I take out my phone and call Julian. He answers on the first ring. “Where was she?”
“I found her. She was locked in the storeroom. Call the police and get to the school right now. I think she needs to go to the hospital.”
“Jesus Christ, is she okay?”
“No, Julian.” I cry. “She’s not.”
Her body begins to convulse as I hang up the phone. She’s going into shock and I hold her tight, calling an ambulance myself.
“It’s okay, baby,” I whisper as I rock her. “You don’t have to come back here. Not ever.” I continue to rock her. “I promise you, you won’t come back here ever again.”
Guilty tears run down my face. I should have done more to protect her.
I should have done more.
Willow stares out of the window, devoid of emotion.
The hospital room is dimly lit now. She’s been given medication to calm her down. It’s 10:00 p.m. and they won’t discharge her tonight.
Julian sits in a chair on one side of the bed with Sammy on his lap, while I sit on the other side in a big chair. Willow hasn’t let go of my hand for over two hours.
Julian’s furious—like, thermonuclear furious. The police have been to take a statement, but Will burst into tears as soon as they arrived. I asked them to leave and come back another time. She just can’t deal with it right now.
Julian hasn’t spoken to me since we got here. I can tell he’s annoyed that I stepped in and overruled him. He stares at the floor in front of him. I know he’s blaming himself as much as I am.
This is just one big fucking mess.
“I’m tired,” Sammy whispers, rubbing his eyes.
“I know, buddy,” Julian murmurs as he kisses his head. “We’ll get going soon.”
“You’re going?” Willow whispers in a panic, her eyes flickering between us.
“No, baby, I’m staying,” I reassure her.
Julian’s angry eyes rise to meet mine and I look away. Jesus, don’t start your angry shit now. I am not in the fucking mood.
“Do you want to stay with her, Julian, and I can take Sammy home?” I offer.
“No, Brell, I want you,” Willow whispers.