Page 101 of Massacre Monday

Now, all I want to do is live.

For her.

thirty-three

I can’t stop pacing.It started as a slight tapping of my feet as I sat at the dining table, waiting for Ryan to come home. The spaghetti I made us grew cold, coagulated into a single lump of pasta with tepid stewed sauce.

I messaged him several times. There was no reply, which made me nauseated enough that I couldn’t eat. All my calls went straight to voicemail.

That’s when my legs wouldn’t quit shaking, so I got up and started walking while calling people who may know where he is. Amelia gave me his brother’s number, but he’s last on my list to contact.

I text him first, just so that he won’t freak out about an unknown number.

Me

Hi. This is Pippi. I was looking for Ryan.

The second after I hit send, the phone rings in my hand, and I jump. It’s Aiden.

“H-hello?” I ask.

“When did you last see him?” a gruff voice asks. He sounds intense, like he’s walking at a rapid pace.

“Um, earlier this afternoon. He went to get a tattoo.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know, actually.”

The silence on the other end makes me dizzy with fear.

What if something happened to him?

No, Pippi. Focus. He’ll come back in with a big smile on his face.

When he speaks, Aiden’s voice changes from terrifying robot to warm commander. “Listen to me. I need you to stay right where you are. I’m sending someone over.”

“S-should I ask my brother to come over?”

“No. Not until I understand what’s happening.” There’s a mumbled word with someone in the room with him before he returns. “And I want you to call Amelia Joseph to come over, too.”

“For all night?”

“You’ll have someone there tonight.”

I open my mouth to ask who it is, but he ends the call.

My finger shakes as I hit the number for Amelia, who readily agrees to come over. Then, I call Adal, since Oz seemed to blow me off earlier.

Instead of answering my call, he texts me back.

Adal

Sup Pip?

Me

Ryan is missing and I’m worried.