Page 72 of Withered

“This is it. We are not having this conversation again.” Jake adds, and I hear footsteps near the door.

Wide-eyed, I look for a place to hide, but I’m too late. I hear the door click and turn around just as Jake notices me.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Jake shouts. I open my mouth to speak, but he cuts me off and says, “Never mind.”

He walks past me, gets into his car, and drives away.

“Rose?” Esme calls my name, and I turn around.

“I-I,” I clear my throat, “I am sorry, Esme. I didn’t mean to hear that. I’ll just go.” I speak hurriedly.

“This isn’t your fault, Rose. Please come in,” she states.

I go inside, hesitantly offering her a small smile. Esme walks to the kitchen, and I follow silently behind. I’m thinking about what to say while she drinks water.

“Mom asked me to give this to you,” I tell her.Really Rose. That’s what you came up with.

“Thank you.” She beams.

“I swear, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I just got here,” I tell her truthfully.

“We weren’t exactly quiet, anyway.” She chuckles, probably trying to joke or lighten the mood.

She appears gloomy, unlike her upbeat personality. I don’t know what comes over me, but I approach her and give her shoulder a tight, comforting squeeze.

“Whatever it is, it’ll be alright. Just a matter of time.” She gives me a tight smile, and I leave after that.

I go home and complete my work, just revising and making notes. I feel tired today and want to sleep. It’s almost evening now, but a quick nap won’t hurt anyone. Sleep and forget your worries.

My phone starts ringing the moment my eyes close. It rings for a few seconds, and I ignore it. It started ringing again, so I groan and reach for my phone on the bedside table.

Tyler’s name flashes across the screen in bright white font in this dimly lit room.

“Tyler, I swear, if you were here, you’d probably be dead,” I mutter into the phone. Annoyance is clear in my voice.

“What? No hello or hey?” He chuckles.

“Why did you call?” I ask.

“Do you know where he is?” He cuts straight to the point. I don’t have to ask him to confirm whoheis.

“Isn’theyour friend?” I ask instead.

He sighs, “Yes. But I can’t find him, and his phone is turned off.”

“What can I do?” Worry picks at my skin. “He’ll be home. Don’t worry,” I assure him.

"Look, his mom called me, and it’s not good, okay? Do you have any idea where he might be? I searched everywhere, but he was nowhere to be found. Please find him. I need to get somewhere.” I could hear some honking; maybe he is driving.

“I’ll do what I can,” I say as I hang up the phone.

I call Jake, and sure enough, his phone is switched off. Where could he be?

I scan through my brain, and there’s only one place he could be right now. I dash downstairs, grab my keys, and tell Mom I’m going to Kristy’s.I hate lying.

I’m finally here after twenty minutes. I remember the road to the place where Jake brought me. It’s getting dark, and the woods look creepy. Sure enough, I could spot Jake’s car. I quickly call Tyler and inform him about Jake’s whereabouts.

I turn on the torch on my phone and look around. I have no idea which way to go now. The ground looks the same, and the trees are confusing me. So I do the only thing I can think of.

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