Page 26 of Marked By Shadows

“Sweetheart, with the way you moan, a boy would think so,” Jonah said as he made his way to the buffet area.

Grace pointed me to an area of grilled chicken and baked potato, for which I was grateful. I watched Alex fill his plate first, stacking it so high I thought he might explode if he ate all that. His grin was huge, like he couldn’t believe his fortune. I patted his arm and pointed him to the table, then made up my own plate.

Freya came in with Melissa. They were arguing about something. It was rare to see irritation on Freya’s face, but I could tell she was.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“Byrony never came back last night,” Melissa said.

“She’s probably out with Joe,” Freya said. “We are not babysitters. She’s a grown woman in control of her own choices.”

While I agreed with Freya, I could see how worried Melissa was. “Have you tried calling her?” I asked, certain she wouldn’t be upset if she had and gotten through.

“No answer,” Melissa replied.

“I thought you were going with them last night?” I asked.

“I did. We went into the forest. There’s a part where the trail breaks off, and there are stories, scary urban legend stuff, so we went that way for a while, trying to find the spot.” She flushed. “I got nervous. It was dark. Everything seemed so loud. Joe walked me back to the trailhead. I came back alone.” She let out a long breath. “Scariest walk I’ve ever done in my life. Through the woods at night, alone.”

“Maybe they decided to find another hotel for more games,” MaryAnn pointed out as she put grilled chicken and a baked potato on her own plate, matching mine.

I glanced into the dining area to find Alex sitting at the table and eating. At least I’d get some food in him.

“We all rode together. The car is still parked out front,” Melissa said. “Did they just walk to another hotel? Without me?”

“Maybe they wanted some alone time,” Julie pointed out. “She and Joe have been together only a few months.”

“In the woods? We have separate rooms. Why wouldn’t they call? Or at least have their phones on? Reception in the woods is bad, but not impossible.”

“Even if they got lost,” Freya said, “there are plenty of places not far from here. They could find themselves at the gas station, or another house. I’m sure they are fine.”

“But not here and not answering their phones,” Melissa repeated.

A sick feeling of anxiety curled in my gut. The familiar weight of that dark monster sank down on my shoulders as my mind began to churn. What if? What if they were hurt? What if something had taken them? What if someone had taken them? Could someone have taken them? Why else would they be unreachable?

I made my way to the table, everyone else finding their own places, though Melissa didn’t get any food. Alex was staring at the far doorway again in between eating. Was the cat back? I sat beside him, reaching for his hand, not sure if I could eat as my head filled with anxiety over a girl I barely knew and her missing boyfriend.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked me.

“Is the cat there?” I whispered, trying to focus on whatever it was he saw in the opposite doorway.

“Not exactly. What’s wrong?”

“Byrony and Joe are missing,” MaryAnn announced to the group. “Melissa says they didn’t come back last night.”

“From out in the woods?” Nicole asked.

“There are a couple houses nearby,” Chad pointed out. “Maybe they got lost on their way back and stopped at one?”

“And didn’t call?” Melissa asked. She held up her phone. “I’ve called them both dozens of times. Even walked out to the path, where it stops and breaks off, called and gotten nothing. Not even the sound of their phones ringing somewhere in the distance.”

“What would you like for us to do?” Freya asked her. “We could call the police, try to report them missing. If the police don’t think they are in immediate danger they won’t start looking for a few days. There is nothing in these woods. Nothing bigger than a racoon or some deer. We haven’t had wolves or bears for years.”

“What if they fell and got hurt?” Julie said.

“Both of them?” Jonah asked. “Like at the same time?”

“Someone could have taken them,” Melissa said. “Hurt them.”