Page 9 of Entangled

I walk back to my house, feeling strangely numb. The fear in Mr. Reid’s eyes was real, and it’s infectious.

Hurrying up the steps to my room, I make a beeline for my phone on the nightstand.

Me: Message me when you get home so I know you’re safe.

The message was marked as seen, but she never replied.

My fingers tremble as I bring up Dylan’s number. It takes me a few attempts, but I finally succeed. Pressing the phone to my ear, I wait with bated breath.

He answers on the third ring, his voice croaky. “Hello?”

“Dylan?”

“Who’s this?” He’s in his bed. I can hear him shifting beneath his sheets.

“It’s Willow. Is Chloe with you?”

His deep voice breathes out, “No. She walked home alone last night.”

I grow cold. “What? Why didn’t she catch a lift with someone?”

“You know how stubborn she is sometimes.”

“What about Amanda? Jenny?”

His sleepy voice sounds in my ear. “Look, I don’t know. She was angry with me and decided to walk home.”

“And you let her?!” I almost shriek. “Why, Dylan? Why would you let her walk home alone?”

“We were both fucking angry, okay? What was I supposed to do? Manhandle her?”

My eyes catch on Mr. Reid’s bedroom window across from mine. He’s pacing the small space.

“Willow?” Dylan’s voice brings me back to the here and now.

“She’s missing,” I breathe out in a weak, shaky voice.

“What?” He’s more alert now. I can practically hear his frown.

“She never came home last night.”

Dylan remains silent, breathing down the line.

“She never came home, Dylan,” I repeat, my voice breaking.

“Shit,” he whispers, and there’s rustling in the background. “I’ll make some phone calls to see if anyone saw anything last night.”

“I’ll be over in a bit. Let’s look for her together.”

He hangs up, and I drop down on my bed. Resting my elbows on my thighs, I bury my face in my hands. What the fuck am I going to do? WhatcanI do?

I lift my head and look to my left. Mr. Reid has left his bedroom. How do I tell him that she didn’t go back with Dylan?

My heart aches as I make my way back to his house. I enter and find him in the kitchen, talking to someone on the phone.

When he looks up and spots me, he holds his finger up. “I’ll have to phone you back, okay? Willow is here.”

He hangs up, watching me expectantly as if I’m the only one who can put him out of his misery. My heart splinters at the hopeful look in his eyes. I’m about to crush it.

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