CHAPTER HUNDRED AND FIFTY-ONE

BRIAN POV

I have to use my lunch break to make agency calls on behalf of a girl who’s no longer on my books. I take a bite of my sandwich, cursing that I’m spending so much time on hold. I’ve a lot of people to speak with, and not a huge amount of time to do it in.

 The result: more of the same old shit.

 They’ll need her to register. 

They’ll need some form of ID. 

They’ll need to do an assessment.

They’ll be able to do none of those things unless Moona actually agrees to toe the line.

 I’m exasperated by the time I look up Amie and Nick’s number at the end of my shift. One last shot, that’s what I tell myself. One last attempt to reason with them and get them on side enough to keep her room open for her until we can get her into these appointments.

     

It’s Amie who answers. She sighs as she registers it’s me.

 I launch quickly into my monologue, telling her I know how hard they’ve worked with Moona, how much time they’ve put in, and how difficult this has been on all of them, but if she could just find it within herself to give this one final push…

      It’s another sigh that cuts me off.

 “You’re too late,” she says. “She’s gone.”

      My mouth drops before I reply. “Sorry?”

    “She took off this morning. Left with all her clothes and everything.”

      “And where has she –”

      “Don’t know, don’t really care,” she interrupts, and it pains me.

      “She didn’t say?”

      “Didn’t see her. She’d slipped out the living room window before Nick and I got up.”

      I’m lost for words, my pulse heavy in my temples. “Have you called the police?”

      She tuts like I’ve insulted her. I probably have.

 “Of course we did. They won’t do anything until she’s been missing forty-eight hours, not given the trouble we’ve had before. By then she’ll be eighteen. Not our problem.” She pauses. 

“And not yours, either.”

Her tone is kind but it’s pointed. I’ve known these people a long time, and they know me. “She’s not in your books anymore, is she?” Amie asks, already knowing full well she isn’t.

  It’s my turn to sigh. “No, not officially.”

“Then I think it’s about time we all let her go, Brian. We’ve all tried.”

      Not hard enough.

      I can’t say that to her, not given how hard they’ve worked for those in need over the years, so I don’t.

      “You’ll let me know if you hear anything?”

      She tuts again. “You’ll be the first to know. It’s not a long list.”

      I say thanks, and I’m surprised at how clammy my palms feel when I hang up.

      Gone.

      She’s really gone.

      The thought of her being alone out there is a kick to my gut. She could be cold, hungry. Lost, for all I know.

We’re surrounded by miles of woodland – she could be trekking through there for days. She could trip and break an ankle. Those boots of hers have seen better days. They wouldn’t hold up to that.

I’ve grabbed my car keys before I’ve regained my composure. And I’m driving the streets before I’ve even contemplated what my strategy is.

 There isn’t one. She could be anywhere.

      I head out towards Gloucester, scouring the verges for sight of her. Nothing.

   I double back and drive the country lanes through the forest. Nothing.

      I pass through Lydbrook three times, asking dog walkers if they’ve seen her around. Nothing.

      Finally, I drive into the heart of Gloucester itself, not caring that the night is closing in and I haven’t stopped for dinner. I wander streets I shouldn’t be wandering, asking questions of those settling down outdoors for the night.

      I’m crazy and I know it.

      I shouldn’t be doing this, and not even Cain is around to talk some sense into me.

Finally, after stopping at all the picnic areas through the forest on my way back home, shining my flashlight around like a madman, I accepted defeat for the evening.

 I grab some instant noodles and eat them in a daze. I do internet searches on my work laptop, even though I know my history is logged, and I ring the local police and hospitals before I allow myself to get some sleep.

      Nothing.

      Moona Avii has gone.

      I don’t sleep a wink.