Page 1 of This Moment

Cadie

December

“Cadie, what in the world are you doing?”

Glancing up from the suitcase I was packing as fast as I could, I saw my best friend, Lauryn Andrews, leaning against the doorjamb of my room.

“I need to leave.”

Her brows rose in confusion. “Leave? For where?”

I pulled a drawer from my dresser and grabbed a handful of clothes. “I don’t know where; I just need to get out of Boston.”

“Cadie, you’re starting to scare me. What’s wrong?”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I paused and looked directly at her. When I saw the fear on her face, I knew she saw the same thing in my eyes. I walked over, took her hands in mine, and drewa deep breath.

“Lauryn, I need you to listen to me.”

She nodded.

“Something has happened, and I need to leave town, but I can’t tell you where I’m going, or I’m afraid your life wouldbe…it would be…I just need to leave, and no one can know where I am.”

A tear slipped free and rolled down her cheeks. “Does this have something to do with him?”

“Yes.”

Closing her eyes, she slowly shook her head before focusing back on me. “I told you he was trouble. Why didn’t you believe me?”

“It’s too late for I told you so’s, Lauryn. If anyone asks where I am, tell them you came home from work, and I was gone. No note, nothing. I’m going to leave my cell phone here in my room.”

“If you’re in trouble, why can’t you go to the police? Or let me talk to Richard.”

“Lauryn!” I shouted, then let out a breath. “Your boss cannot help me, and they probably have half the police department in their pocket. I need you to turn around, walk away, and pretend like you never saw me here. Do you understand?”

“I came home to grab my lunch I forgot.”

“Good, go get it and go back to work.”

She wiped the tears away, nodded, and turned from me. When she faced me again, I grabbed her arm, pulled her to me, andhugged her.

“Why does this feel like a forever goodbye?” she whispered, hugging me tightly.

I pushed her gently away and shook my head.

“I love you, Lauryn. Please don’t worry, okay?”

“I can’t make that promise.”

“You should go.”

“I love you too, Cadie.”

Once she turned and left my room, I forced myself not to cry and quickly returned to shoving everything I could into my bag. I needed to get out of Boston…the faster, the better.

Kian

Present Day - March

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