I'll Always Be His

Chapter 11

Tessa

I had been shut up in my room for days. Knowing I was alone in the house gave me the creeps and suddenly I was feeling like the walls were closing in. I had to get out of here even if it was just for a few minutes. I didn't really feel like talking. I just wanted some peace. The beach felt like the perfect place to clear my head. I grabbed my keys to the Jetta and headed for the door.

A short drive later and I was parking my car in the small deserted parking lot and walking down towards the beach. I slipped my flip flops off and dug my toes into the sand as I took a seat. I listened to the waves crash against the shore, getting lost in my own head. I don't know how long I sat there, it seemed like minutes, but in looking at my phone, I had been here for hours.

I needed to get home. Hardin and Sylas would undoubtedly be getting home any minute and would be blowing up my phone with worry. I stood up, slipping my flip flops back on, and heading to my car. I felt more peaceful now or atleast I had. Parked next to my little black Jetta was a dark van with blacked out windows.

Dread was creeping through me. I hadn't seen anyone else on the beach. That van definitely wasn't parked there when I pulled up. They could be using the bathroom but why wouldn't they park closer to it? I decided to chalk it up to paranoia and get to my car so I could get back to the safety of my home and to Hardin.

I walked to my door, keys and phone in hand, and began unlocking the driver door. Before I could even get the door open though, I heard the side door of the van open, then hands were grabbing me from behind. I struggled against them trying to free myself from the death grip hold they had on me. I bucked and kicked. I whipped my head back trying to head butt my attacker. Whatever it took. I would fight until the end. I dropped my phone and keys in the struggle. My attacker, apparently sick of the struggle, wrapped their fingers into my hair and gave my head a hard shove forward, slamming my face into my driver's side door. Consciousness was slippin away. I could feel my body losing the struggle. Everything went black and my body went slack.

Hardin

I ran into the house and up to Tessa’s room. Her Jetta wasn't in the drive way. No way would she leave this house. She knows the danger she is in with Nick still on the loose. She wasn't in her room. Sylas and I went through the house looking first. I mean she could have let someone borrow the car. She was definitely not here. I called Cole. Maybe she went there. He answered on the first ring.

"Hello douchebag. What do you want?" he asked with his playful banter.

"Is Tessa with you?"

"No. I thought she was locked up in her room still."

"She's not. Her and her car are gone and they were both here when I left with Sylas this morning."

"I'm sure she just ran to the store or something man but I'll come over and help you look. Be there in five." With that he hung up.

I looked over at Sylas who was on the phone with her best friend. He looked back at me and said, "She's not there and hasn't heard from her."

Damn.

We checked the usual spots in town. No luck. We headed back to Sylas's. Maybe she made it back by now. The house came into view from the drive way and still no Jetta. This pain in my gut just keeps knawing at me. I should have just stayed this morning. I shouldn't have left her, especially not alone.

Sylas and I walked into the house with Cole behind us. It was still empty. Quiet. "I guess we just hang out. I'm sure Tessa will be back soon. Not much else we can do at this point." Sylas says. We head to his room and get into the video games. I can't focus with Tessa running through my mind.

A couple hours later Sylas's parents come through the door frantic, slamming it behind them. That draws our attention and we head down the stairs to figure out the commotion. His father is trying to calm and comfort his mother, who happens to be balling her eyes out, ready to collapse.

Sylas ran over to help. "Mom whats wrong? What happened?" She just shakes her head and cries harder collapsing into her husbads arms. He scoops her up and walks her out of the room. He back in a few minutes with tears in his eyes. Oh god. This is bad.

I prepare myself as he wipes the wetness from his red rimmed eyes. "The sheriff called. He ran your sisters' plate at the beach. The car is registered to me so he called to tell me that the car was found abandoned with a cell phone and keys on the driver's seat and a note. A note saying good bye." he stops, tears welling in his eyes. Sylas takes his dad in a hug shedding his own tears. I look over at Cole who is bleary-eyed. I feel the tears streaming down my cheeks. I can't believe this. She wouldn't do this. Couldn't do this. I don't accept this.

Sylas's dad went off to be with his wife after soeaking with his son. Cole and I stand there, both of us still in shock. Sylas turns to me. "They found some blood on the driver door," he said, "and they found signs of a struggle. They are still processing the scene so they are unsure what exactly happened to Tessa. They have opened a missing person case and are actively looking for her or her body."

I drop down on the stairs putting my head in my hands. My whole world stopping when Sylas said body. Surely we aren't looking for a body. Tessa can't be gone. She can't be. "I'm going out there and see if I can help with the search. Maybe get an update." I said to Sylas. He looked me dead in the eye, "I'm coming with you." We headed out the door with Cole hot on our heels.