Page 46 of Savage Scream

Frowning again, Cynthia shakes her head. “No. His foster mother did.”

My lips thin as my fear spikes.

Travis is an independent guy. He would never get his mum to call for him.

Returning my focus back to my phone, I tap out my words and show Cynthia.

‘Can you please call him and check with him and not his mum, that he’s ok?’

“Of course,” Cynthia nods, picking up on my concern. She moves around her desk, taking out her phone, and taps a few things before pressing it to her ear.

I should have asked Travis for his phone number. I didn’t because I wanted to give him the space he needs to make the decision to leave with me. I could have easily found it myself, but I haven’t because I wanted to remove the temptation to call him, worried I’d cave and annoy him too much.

“Travis. Hi, it’s Cynthia Rogan.” She smiles as she talks and then shakes her head. “Oh no, everything is fine. Dee is fine.” Her eyes dart to me. “Your mother called in sick for you yesterday and today, so I wanted to make sure everything is ok.” She nods as she listens. “Just a stomach bug. Ok. Well, make sure you—”

Cynthia’s words get cut off when I snatch the phone from her.

“Travis?”

Nothing but silence meets my ear, and I ignore the gasp that flies from Cynthia as I speak again.

“Travis?”

“Ell?” His voice is a whisper, but I’m so happy to hear it.

“What’s going on? Has something happened?” I rush out, but still he doesn’t answer my question.

“Shit, Ell. You’re talking?”

“Answer me, Travis! Has something happened? We can leave today. We don’t have to wait until next week. We can figure it out.”

“Calm down. Everything is fine.” He reassures me in a hushed tone, but I’m not buying it.

“Then why didn’t you turn up?” I ask, avoiding eye contact with Cynthia.

“I can’t talk right now,” he whispers, and I know everything isn’t alright. Someone’s there. His foster mum, maybe? Bianca Kerr.

“I have to go, Mrs Rogan. Thanks for checking on me.” He speaks louder this time. “I’ll stay in bed and get plenty of rest.”

Oh no. He really can’t talk.

“Shit, Trav. What can I do?” I ask.

“Nothing Mrs Rogan. See you in a few days.”

The line goes dead then, and I stare at Cynthia’s phone like it scolded me.

“Dee?”

Cynthia’s voice reminds me that I’m not alone, and that she just heard me speak.

Shit.

13

JARED

Dee has been distracted all day. She’s worried about her brother, convinced something is going on. Something involving his foster mum.

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