The Fate of the Unknown

Chapter 9: Mom?

I went inside and I put my bracelet, necklace, and earrings all in a safe spot. I don’t wear jewelry often, so I don’t have a jewelry box to put them. I also don’t want them lost or broken. After they were all put away, I went back into the living room. We laughed, ate some popcorn, and ended up all passed out before the movie we started was even done.

I wake up at 6am, thinking mom should be home already. No? Strange. I check my phone, nothing. I had sent her pictures and texts and she never replied after 2pm. Normally if she were too busy she would text later on. Just so we knew she was doing ok. Nothing.

I walk over to Caitlyn. “Hey. Catilyn, wake up. Catilyn... Wake up.” I tried shaking her awake but she was out. It was probably 2am or later when we all passed out, so I wasn’t surprised. So I went into my room and called my mom’s phone. It just kept ringing. Nothing. She should be off by now… What is going on! I start pacing my room trying to figure out what to do. My door flies open with Caitlyn on the other side. “What is your problem, it’s 6am!”

“I can’t get ahold of mom. She should be home by now. She said she’d be home this morning. She’s not here. She’s not answering her phone. She hasn’t even texted me back since 2pm when we were at the bookstore!” At this point I’m shaking because I’m so worried.

Caitlyn walks up and grabs me by the arms, “mom is fine. She probably got stuck waiting for her replacement like she always does. Or maybe she was tired and went to sleep in the on call room. You know she does that when she’s really worn out and doesn’t think she’s safe to drive home. She’ll be home later, ok? I’m sure of it.” She was trying to reassure me, but it was NOT working. I felt something was wrong. We both climb into my bed, and we fall back asleep. I had nightmares the entire time. Visions of bad things happening to my mom. I was tossing and turning so bad I fell out of my bed.. This woke myself up as I slammed onto the floor. Caitlyn jumped up and ran over to me. She was freaking out. At that point our 3 friends come bolting in, and they were all freaking out.

“I’m sorry. I was having a nightmare and apparently fell out of bed. What time is it anyways?” I felt really embarrassed and wanted the attention off of me.

“It’s 11am. s**t. I need to get home. My mom is going to be so mad!” Saige said as she ran out of my room and then out the front door. 11am? I have never slept that later before.. Mom HAS to be home by now.

“Yeah we should get going too. Yesterday was a great day, I hope you had the best birthday ever Lex!” Penny said as she came over and hugged me.

“Yes. Yesterday was so much fun. We need to do a day like that again soon!” Leilah hugged me and then Caitlyn walked with them to get their stuff and walked them out. I couldn’t focus. Where is my mom? No texts. No calls. NOTHING!! She’s not here. Where is she??

I start calling her again. Nothing. Caitlyn walks in as I start calling her again. Nothing.

“Alexis you’re going to burn a hole into the ground if you don’t stop pacing. I’m sure mom is ok. Maybe she fell asleep in the call room, woke up, saw how late it was, and had to just rush to her next job?” Caitlyn was trying to reason with me. It did sound like something that could happen, but something in my gut told me that wasn’t the case. Especially after the very vivid nightmares I had.. I just nodded my head and decided to start the day. Threw a new batch of coffee on, grabbed some clothes to shower.

When I was done showering I decided I wanted to wear all of my new jewelry. Although it made me look too fancy for just sitting around. I threw on a black turtle neck sweater and a pair of jeans. I carefully put the necklace on, the way it hung over my black sweater was such a mesmerizing contrast. I carefully put the earrings on. Although I still haven’t figured out who Dimitri was, or why he called me “little dove”, I wanted to wear them. And then I carefully clasped the bracelet from Sam onto my left wrist. At this moment I realized the necklace and bracelet clashed, but I didn’t care.

I put on my boots, grabbed one of my books Penny got me, grabbed my mug of coffee, and went onto the porch. It was warmer now than it was last night, but that is because the sun is actually out. I began to be sucked into my book when the door opened.

“Hey I’m going to run up to the school and practice. Are you going to be ok alone?” Caitlyn asked as she tied her shoes.

“I’ll be alright. Just be careful ok?” I said to her as she nodded and started to jog off towards the school. She liked to get a jog to warm up before practice.

I drank some more of my coffee and then started back into my book.

“Hey Lex.” I recognized the scent before I had time to register his voice. I glanced up and saw Sam standing there with a large brown bag in his hand. “You hungry?” He said with a smirk gesturing at the bag. I smiled and got up, led him into the house.

“Starving actually.” I replied as I shut the door.

He laughed and said, “good! I didn’t know what you get when you get Chinese, so I got a little of everything!” He smiled.

I started laughing as he pulled out more food than either of us could eat. I grabbed two plates, silverware, and cups and set the table. We both sat down and started to load up our plates.

“Look..” he said and paused. “I am sorry about last night. I didn’t want any of that to happen. I didn’t know she locked you out, I also didn’t realize she had been threatening you about me. I have never liked Hannah, honestly I haven’t really liked any of the girls in this town, at least not in that way. She has always had a crush on me, but I don’t really care. I’m guessing the only reason she started to threaten you, was because she overheard me one day talking to Elliott about you.” He said and then took a bite of his food.

At this point I felt my face blush. He was talking about me? Why? He looks up and sees me blushing and starts to smirk, causing my heart to race. He then sees I’m wearing the bracelet from him, and grabs my hand to admire at it.

“Oh good! You did find it. I figured you would, since I know the porch is your favorite place. I had really hoped you would like it. I went and had it custom made just for you.” He looked at me in a way that made me feel like I was on fire, that along with his touch. I had to pull my hand back and got up to walk away. I played it off as I needed to grab a drink. Which worked since my glass was empty, but I know he isn’t dumb. At that point the door opens, I assume my mom. No? It’s Caitlyn. Where is our mom? I looked at the clock and saw it was almost 4pm.

Caitlyn jumps and looks startled to see Sam. He must of felt like that was his cue to leave, as he began to clean up.

“Have you heard from mom? It’s almost 4!” I start panicking again. At this point Sam stops what he is doing and starts looking back and forth between the two of us.

“No. I just got done with practice. Lex, you need to calm down. You are going to pass out!” Caitlyn says as she walks to me.

I grab my phone and call our mom. Straight to voicemail? No. Mom never lets her phone die. Never. I start to hyperventilate and the next thing I know, everything goes black.