Searching for Answers
My heart raced as I reached for my phone, scrolling through contacts with trembling fingers. “Anyone who knows anything about Ainsley,” I muttered under my breath, desperation coursing through me.
I dialed Mia’s number, praying she’d pick up. “Come on, pick up,” I whispered, pacing back and forth on my porch.
When Mia finally answered, I could hear the concern in her voice. “Mr. Thompson, what’s wrong?”
“I need to know where Ainsley is,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Have you seen her?”
My chest tightened. “Jake? When was this?”
Panic began to settle in, a cold knot twisting in my stomach. “Do you know anything else about him?”
As I hung up, dread washed over me. This boy, Jake, could hold the answers I desperately needed.
I drove to every local hangout I could think of, scouring parking lots and shining my headlights into dark corners. Each passing moment felt like an eternity. Then a glimmer of hope surfaced: Mia had mentioned a party—she mentioned it was at Jake’s place.
Confronting the Truth
The diner was dimly lit, a perfect breeding ground for secrets, and I found Jake at a booth, a half-eaten burger untouched before him. His face paled when he noticed me approaching.
He swallowed hard, glancing around as if fearing someone might overhear. “We were drinking... I didn’t think she’d drive.”
“Drinking? She’s in trouble, Jake!” My voice escalated, frustration bubbling over. “Tell me what happened!”
A flicker of hope ignited in my chest. “So, she didn’t mean to harm anyone?”
Just then, my phone vibrated violently in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw Ainsley’s name flash across the screen. “She texted me!” I said, my heart racing.
“I need to tell you something important, but I can’t talk right now.”
My heart plummeted. What could be so urgent? The gravity of the situation hit me again as the diner's door swung open behind me, a fresh wave of anxiety crashing over me. Time was slipping away.
But there was something more—something she needed to confess. Just as I turned back to Jake, ready to press for more answers, I heard the unmistakable sound of sirens pulling into the parking lot.
“We’ve got to go now,” I said, urgency flooding my words. “Ainsley needs me.”
