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“Let’s race our bikes down Eighth!” I goad, “I know you won’t beat me this time!” Laughing we head for the infamous straightaway.

Once we arrive, he counts us down like we are in a real drag race. “Three… Two… One… GO!”

I pump the petals as hard as I can, but he gets out ahead of me in no time and I’m struggling to catch up. I’m about to turn thirteen, but I haven’t grown an inch since the sixth grade so beating him is going to be a chore. He’s fourteen and hit a growth spurt at the start of summer so he’s now a good six inches taller than me. My short, stubby legs are putting forth at least twice the effort as his long, lean ones to keep up. My best friend laughs as he constantly looks back to make sure I’m still there, mischief and excitement twinkling in his dark eyes.

“You know Charlie, you could just give up and admit that I am always going to be faster!” He yells back at me, but there is no way I’m letting him beat me again. As sweat runs down my now sunburned forehead, I squint my eyes in concentration and pump my legs harder.

“I will beat you Yuri, just you wait!” I yell between breaths. I hear him laughing, and I love the feeling of my curls flying about in the wind. I pump my legs harder, my muscles burning as I push them to their limit.

Then, suddenly, sirens start blaring in the distance. I’m completely focused on the challenge ahead, but Yuri’s head pops up in concern and confusion. Then he starts to slow down, and that’s when I see my opening and shoot past him. I am going so fast, but it’s too late when I notice the grass in the road as I race forward.

Yuri looks up and fear fills his voice as he yells, “Charlie, watch out!”

I slide, losing control of my bike, and slamming into the hard pavement. I go down sideways, not able to put my hands out in time to break my fall and tap my head on the ground. My entire body hurts, so I don’t move. My eyes begin to tear up and I see stars. I groan in pain as Yuri rushes to my side

“Malyshka,” little one, he pants speaking in Russian, which seems to happen a lot when he is concerned or angry. He cradles my head in his lap, wiping my copper hair gently from my forehead, “Charlie, are you alright? You scared me.”

I look up into his face and just stare at my best friend. I feel the sting of tears pricking the corner of my eyes threatening to fall, but I force them back not wanting to be weak in front of him.

“Don’t cry,” he says, “I hate it when you cry.”

“I’m okay, but my head really hurts,” I say knowing the pain must be written all over my face. I look up at the sun in an attempt to keep the tears at bay. He just looks at me with concern and checks me over, gently holding my head in his lap.

“We should get you home, it’s getting late anyway and the street lights will be on soon. You don't want to get grounded again like last time,” he says standing, grabbing my bike, and leaving his on the side of the road.

After propping my bike up, he grabs each of my hands in his and lifts me with ease, “I’ll walk you home and come back to get my bike later.”

All I can do is nod my head, which still makes me feel a little dizzy, as he starts walking me and my bike back home.

He always does a good job of making me laugh and smile when things are hard or scary, and this time is no different. The entire walk back he distracts me from the pain and dizziness with silly stories and ridiculous dad jokes.

When we get to my house, he walks me inside and calls out to my parents. He explains what happened and of course, they begin to fuss over me. I look over at him and roll my eyes because you would think by the age of nearly thirteen they would be used to the bumps and bruises I always come home with, but the goose egg on the side of my head is what’s causing the most concern.

“I’m fine. Promise! Stop it,” I say, swatting their hands out of my face.

“I’m going to head home,” I hear Yuri say, “Call my house later and let me know how you’re feeling.”

I rush over and hug Yuri. “I will see you tomorrow. We can finish that race!” I giggle as I talk into his chest while he holds me tight.

“You bet! Just don’t fall and cry because I beat you, again,” he laughs and pulls away. Walking out the door he waves to my parents and says, “Goodnight Mr. and Mrs. Loughty. See you tomorrow, Charlie!”

I woke up the next morning, ate breakfast, and rode my bike to my best friend’s house. I knocked on the door and waited. I stood on the porch for twenty minutes, but no one was answering the door. Curious, I went to the side of the house to peek in the living room window, but the house was empty. The furniture was still there, but all signs of Yuri and his family were gone.

I decided to walk around to the side of the house where the garage meets the kitchen. I peaked in the door and did something I am not very proud of. I grabbed a rock from the stone walkway and broke in. Did I tell the cops? No. Did it ruin their investigation? I have no clue. But I needed to get inside that house.

After breaking a small window, I unlocked the door and let myself in. The house was bare. I went straight for Yuri’s bedroom. Nothing. Not even the sheets on his bed we left behind! I ran to the kitchen, frantic, and was shocked to find no food in the refrigerator. I even double checked the garage. Both cars were gone. I couldn’t find a note or clue left from Yuri. He would have left me something! I know it. He wouldn’t leave without telling me where he was going. I had no clue if he was safe. I was panicking, so I ran all over that house looking for something, anything to tell me what the heck I just walked into.

When the police showed up to the house, I was surprised. Their neighbor must have called. I told them what I knew - which was nothing - and asked them as many questions my twelve-year-old brain could think of. I think they could tell I was worried for my friend, but they never told me anything. No one ever told me anything. I had no idea if he was alive or dead.

All I know is that Yuri and his family disappeared that night and I never saw him again…