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Max

“Hey,”Mom hugs me and sits down beside me, “where’s Delilah?”

Looking at my phone, I realize it’s been almost half an hour since she left. There are no messages from her, though, making me wonder where she is.

“She was uncomfortable and went to stretch her legs.” I think about her mentioning the bathroom. “Did you notice if the bathroom was busy or not on your way in?”

Mom and November both shake their heads. “I can go check to see if she’s in there if you’re worried,” Mom says already standing.

“Would you? I thought she’d be back by now and her staying gone this long isn’t like her.”

She smiles down at me. “She’s probably in line or getting some food.”

I want her to be right but can’t help the feeling that something is wrong.

Placing my hand on Mitchell’s shoulder, I point to Beck. “Can you watch him? I’m going to go see what’s holding Delilah up.”

Mitchell, my dad, and Asher all nod in agreement. Good, I don’t need to worry about Beck as well. I take the steps two at a time and by the time I round the bleachers I see Mom coming out of the bathroom with no Delilah insight.

“I didn’t see her in there, and I asked if anyone had seen Delilah, but no one’s seen her since the beginning of the game. I checked the concession line as well on the way. Do you have any idea where she’d be?”

I have no idea where Delilah could be if not in there.

“Why don’t you go back and sit with Dad while I search for her. If you see her have Delilah text me or you text.”

I start to step away when Mom’s hand comes to my arm and there’s a worried look plastered on her face when I turn back to her. “You don’t think she’s in trouble, do you?”

“I don’t know,” I tell her, but deep in my gut I know it’s been too long and she’s in trouble. Now I just have to find her.

“Go, go,” she pushes me, her voice trembling, “go find her.”

I start off walking quickly, but as I scan the area and don’t find any sign of her, I start to jog through the parking lot. Up and down each row I look, but it’s empty except for cars and trucks. By the time I’ve made it to the back row, I’m all but sprinting. Sweat is pouring down my face, and stinging my eyes, but I don’t care. All I care about is finding Delilah.

Stopping, I rest my hands on my knees and try to catch my breath as I survey the area. I saw my truck, so I know she didn’t take it for some reason. It’s then that I see some movement out of the corner of my eye at the edge of the trees.

I take off running full out, trying to get there as fast as I can. There’s a body on the ground and the closer I get, dread infiltrates me until my entire body feels like it’s full of poison. “Delilah,” I shout, falling to my knees when I reach her.

She doesn’t respond. It’s dark, so I can’t see much, only that she’s curled into herself. “Delilah, baby, are you okay?” I ask as I turn her onto her back.

A low moan comes out of her, making my worry escalate. I’m terrified of what I’m going to find as I pull out my phone and turn on the flashlight.

What I see has me gasping for breath. I feel sick, but I don’t have time for that. Delilah needs me. Her face is bloody and swollen to the point that if I didn’t know her and what she was wearing earlier, I wouldn’t recognize her.

There are angry red marks and bruises all along her neck. If it wasn’t for her chest rising and falling, I’d think… I can’t even think it. Her eyes flutter, giving me hope. “Baby, wake up.”

Knowing I’m wasting precious time, I dial 9-1-1 as I pull her head onto my lap and brush away the hair that’s stuck to her forehead and matted down by blood.

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” a deep, male voice answers the line.

“Yes, my girlfriend was attacked and is unconscious. We’re at the high school football game. Out at the end of the parking lot by the trees,” I rush out and then pant to catch my breath.

“Okay, sir. Please take a deep breath. You’re no good to her if you’re not calm.” He says the words as if he’s said them a thousand times, which he probably has.

I take his advice and take as calming a breath as I can with the love of my life lying in my arms unconscious and beaten badly.

“Okay, I’m better now,” I tell him.