Chapter3
844 Words
George's POV - My Dashing World
The rain poured down in sheets, but I barely felt it. My world had shattered, and I stood in the ruins, unable to move.
What was I supposed to do now?
The scene went completely silent, broken only by hushed murmurs and the sound of raindrops against the pavement. I stood frozen; my gaze locked onto the dark waters of the river. Was she gone? Could Malissa, my Malissa, truly be dead?
Memories of our time together flooded my mind, moments of joy, laughter, and whispered dreams. But now, they felt empty, stolen from me in an instant.
"No, you must find her. "Find her!" I shouted; my voice raw with desperation. My body trembled, not just from the cold but from the deep, wrenching pain clawing at my chest. Tears burned my eyes, but I made no effort to stop them.
"Don't cry," Cassy whispered beside me. Her voice wavered, her tears mixing with the rain. She clung to my arm, but I barely registered her presence.
"She can't be dead, right?" She pushed me lightly, forcing me to look at her. "George, tell me she isn't dead. "You'll find her, right?" Her voice cracked, her breath hitching.
I nodded absently, but deep inside, a storm raged. How could I promise something I wasn't sure of? The police had no leads, nobody, and only a few scraps of clothing washed up downstream. It wasn't enough. It would never be enough.
As the officers packed up their equipment, I realized they were giving up. My heart clenched. I couldn't let this be the end.
"I'm not leaving until we search every inch of this place," I declared, my voice firm. Cassy hesitated, gripping my sleeve tighter.
"George, please… You haven't eaten, you haven't slept. "Let's go home," she urged.
But home? Without Malissa? The very thought made my stomach twist. Still, exhaustion weighed on me, and I knew I needed a plan, real action, not just blind searching.
The officers exchanged glances before one stepped forward. "Mr. Kings, I understand your pain, but based on our experience, if she was in the river, the currents would have carried her out to the ocean. We will continue investigating, but…"
"But you're calling her dead," I snapped, stepping toward him. My fists clenched, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. Anger wouldn't bring Malissa back.
"We'll do our best," the officer reassured me before walking away.
Cassy reached for my hand again. "Let's go home, George," she murmured.
Home. The word felt foreign. But I had no choice but to return, to figure out my next move.
The house was eerily quiet. Every shadow reminded me of her. I expected to hear Malissa's soft humming from the kitchen, the scent of her favorite vanilla candles, and the warmth of her presence. Instead, there was only silence.
I collapsed onto the couch, feeling like a shell of the man I once was. The walls closed in on me. The weight of the emptiness was suffocating.
"I'll make you some coffee," Cassy offered. I barely nodded in response.
Minutes later, she handed me a cup, but the smell of it only reminded me of Malissa's morning ritual: two sugars, and a hint of cinnamon. Cassy's was bitter, different.
I set it down untouched.
"You need to eat, George," she pressed.
"I need to find my wife," I countered. My voice was low, but there was steel beneath it.
Cassy's expression faltered for a second before she recovered. "George, you saw the reports. We have to accept,"
"I don't have to accept anything," I snapped, cutting her off.
She flinched but quickly composed herself. "I just want to help."
I studied her for a moment. Cassy had been at my side since the night Malissa disappeared. Too attentive. Too eager to step in.
And then there was that gut feeling gnawing at me. Something wasn't right.
I needed answers. And I would get them.
As Cassy cleaned up the untouched coffee, I made a silent vow. Malissa's story wasn't over. And neither was mine.
I would uncover the truth. No matter what it took.
A week later, the whole house was a mess, with untouched plates stacked up on the counter. Food spoiled in the fridge, but I didn't care.
I watched my reflection in the mirror and discovered I had lost so much weight because I had been starving myself. Talking about food, I went to the refrigerator, knowing I would surely find something to eat since Cassy came in now and then to make dishes which I always reject.
I microwaved the Bagels she had made the other day, so I could eat. It tasted good. It was the first proper meal I had after Malissa's death. I washed it down with a bottle of yogurt which tasted heavenly.
Cassy?
Something in my gut twisted.
For the first time in days, I wasn't thinking about Malissa.
I was thinking about Cassy.
Something wasn't right.
And I finally saw it.
- Writer
