Finding Calypso

What we've Found

Chapter Nine

~Calypso~

We both look at each other when my phone rings.

I pull it out of my pocket and show Anora. The caller ID reads Gretchen.

I answer

"Gretchen?" Hoping it to be her on the other line.

Maybe she went back to get her phone? Maybe it was dead and that's why she hadn't reached out until now?

It was silent on the other end so I ask again

"Gretchen? Are you OK? Can you hear me? " and the line ended.

Anora and I looked all night for Gretchen with no veil. In the morning we decided to go to Gretchen's house to see if she had gotten a ride home.

When we got there, Gretchen's parents said she hadn't come home all night. We told them what had happened and they called the sheriff. The sheriff came out and we relayed to him what had happened.

Our town sheriff has known all three of us our whole life, and didn't hesitate to call it in to a friend that works at the station nearest to where Gretchen was last known to be.

Gretchen's mother was in tears, but our sheriff assured us all that they were looking into it. He looked both Anora and I, dead in the eyes, and said

"You two need to make sure, and keep your nose away from this. And know that it will be handled by the professionals." We nod knowing we will be back in town to look for her with in the hour.

Anora and I decide to head to my house, so we can change clothes before we head into the city. We pull up and I see our front door open.

The weather keeps trying to storm, but no drop has fallen. And at first I assume the wind must have blown the door pen.

When we walk closer I can see the door has been kicked in. I ran inside, but everything was like it was when I last left. I run up the stairs and everything looks the same. I walk into my bedroom Anora hot on my trail. Nothing is out of place.

I called the sheriff, and told him about the door and that it seemed to be kicked in but nothing was touched. He didn't seem concerned and told me it was likely unrelated. I had a feeling he thought I was overacting a bit because I was scared for my friend.

We left shortly after, but before we headed out we went to my Gramair's.

Something in my gut wanted to make sure she was at least OK since I couldn't get a hold of her by phone. Which I wasn't surprised by she didn't have a cell but a landline. And if she wasn't by the phone, you would miss her.

We pulled in. Her car is home and I feel relieved. I jump out and Anora stays back in the truck because I told her I would be quick. I ran inside and my Gramair was there in front of her cards. She lays another down in the middle of a reading and says

"I wondered when you would be here" as if the cards had told her I would be coming.

I blurt out to her everything that had happened in the night so quickly I'm sure it was hard for her to understand. She acted as if she wasn't surprised.

I was looking at her for some type of reaction. Some type of response, but she just smiled back at me.

"Gramair, did you hear all that I just said?"

"Yes, every word" she stands and walks toward me. She puts her hands on my shoulders and says

"If anyone will find her, I believe you will"

My eyes were full of question. Why was she encouraging me to look for her when everyone has told us not to?

When my Gramair's eyes trail over my shoulder to the door where I see Anora standing with my leather jacket in her hands.

My body goes rigid as I look back to my Gramair, and she looks at me a little confused.

" Did someone come here?" I ask her, searching her face for answers.

"No, you were the last one to visit me"

I turn and walk up to Anora to grab the jacket. Just to inspect and make sure it was the same one. The same one Gretchen was wearing when she left Anora's house yesterday.

I knew it was, but I just had to make sure. I turn to my Gramair and explain. I grab my phone and start dialing the sheriff's number. When my Gramair puts her hand on my phone to stop me. She looks me in the eye and says

"Don't trust the police with this. Call your father, let him decide what information he wants to indulge"

I tell her I have called and left messages telling him everything that has happened but he never called back. My Gramair reassures me he has gotten the messages and to just let him handle it.

"But how do you know?" I ask her.

"Because I just talked to him" My Gramair says.

Something inside me felt like this was a lie, but I could find no reason why she would lie when this is as serious as it is.

I take her advice and look at Anora for confirmation. She nods seeming to trust my Gramair as I do.

So I dial my father. Again to voicemail. And I leave a message to tell him what we've found.

We jump back on the road when I tell Anora to try calling Gretchen again. On the first ring the line picks up and Anora puts on the speaker. But only silence is to be heard.

"Hello, can you hear me? Gretchen are you there?" Anora begins to ask.

"Give me the phone" I say as I pull off to the side of the road and stop to a holt.

"Who is this?" I yell "Who the f**k is this?" I nearly roar. When I swear I hear a chuckle.

I look at Anora and say

"Did you hear that?"

"No what?" She says.

"What did you hear?" Anora asks again mad at me for not speaking fast enough.

The call ends.

Anora is now looking at me even more pissed. I've never seen Anora mad before. Her dark skin is literally red with anger. Her dark eyes are black as night as she stares at me.

"I think I heard some one laugh" I finally say.