Page 99 of Search My Soul (Taylor Family Saga #3)

“How is he?”

“We don’t know. Pure keeps telling us not to panic, but I can’t help it.

He’s never been gone this long, Nee-nee.

I was shocked he even made it to the funeral, but I could see it all over his face that he wasn’t okay.

This breaks my heart so bad. My brother has taken so many hits in the last year, and I feel so helpless.

” Patience’s voice cracked, and it crushed my spirit.

When Murk told us what happened to Pooh, I immediately reached out to check on him. My message was left on read, but I took solace in the fact that he saw it. Death was such a sensitive topic, and we often ended up saying the wrong things. I prayed he could feel our love wherever he was.

“I’m so sorry, sis. I know this can’t be easy for any of you. Has Duke or any of his workers heard from him?”

“No. Duke keeps trying to calm me down because he doesn’t want me to worry, but I can’t help it.

I heard him cry last night when he thought I was asleep.

They loved Pooh like a little brother, and it’s hard to process that he’s gone.

Duke and Pure have Soul’s location, so they are telling us to give him space.

I don’t like this at all. There’s this nagging feeling in my gut that something isn’t right.

He took the dogs with him, and it makes me think he isn’t coming back for a while. ”

“It’s crazy you mentioned your gut, because I’ve been restless for days.

I’ve been having dreams about Zion. They aren’t the normal dreams though.

In the dream, he’s a little boy, and he’s trying to lead me somewhere.

He’s running so fast I can barely keep up, and then I wake up in tears.

I have no idea what it’s about, but I haven’t gotten more than four hours of sleep each night.

” I hadn’t told anyone about my dreams, because I didn’t want them to think I was losing my mind, even though some days it felt like I would.

“Now, you’re scaring me. What if it’s connected to Soul?

What if he’s trying to tell us that he needs us?

Lord, I’m gonna stress myself into a stroke at the rate I’m going.

Duke said that if he doesn’t reach out by next week, they will go after him.

I can barely function right now. How do they expect us to last another week? ” Patience fussed.

“Can you send me Pure’s number?” Patience grew silent as if she was processing my request.

“Umm, let me ask if it’s okay. He doesn’t like for us to give his number out, but if he says it’s okay, I’ll send him yours.” I giggled because it made sense. Pure seemed like such a complex man, so it was on brand for him to want to be unreachable to the masses.

“Okay, that works for me. Can you let him know it’s an emergency?”

“What are you up to?”

“We both want answers, and I think I know how we can get them,” I explained. I had an idea of where he was, but I wanted to confirm with Pure.

“Say less. I’m all for answers. I’ve been trying to call him from Romi’s iPad in hopes that he would make an exception for her.”

“I understand. Soul thinks he has to handle his pain alone, and that isn’t the case.

He has a huge support system, and if he won’t let us in, then we’ve got to make him.

I’m also worried about his mental health because I can tell he hasn’t been consistent with his meds.

I’m sure this loss has made things worse, and if he doesn’t get things under control, who knows how detrimental things could be. ”

After Soul revealed his bipolar diagnosis to me, I spent weeks researching signs and triggers.

I could tell when he was on the brink of a mania episode or when he was going into a depression.

He would try to mask it in front of others, but I studied him enough to see what wasn’t obvious to everyone else.

I noticed something was off with him the night at the club and again at my party, but I didn’t want to be intrusive. However, the loss of Pooh was bound to send him spiraling, and he didn’t need to be alone.

“Pure texted me back. He said he’s handling business right now, but he’ll call you as soon as he’s free.”

“Okay, thank you. I’ll keep you updated when I find out more information. I love you, sis.”

“I love you more. Thank you for loving my brother. I know he can be a lot to handle, but I still feel like you were the perfect balance for him. Even though the two of you might not be together romantically, he’s blessed to have a friend like you in his corner.

Please call me as soon as you have an update.

I won’t be able to get any sleep until I hear from you. ”

“I promise I will. He’s going to be fine.” I needed to convince myself more than anything. However, the nagging feeling in my gut increased my anxiety. I prayed we weren’t too late.

Riya was accompanying me to a few condos in order to see if we could find a new place. We went to see a few last week, but they didn’t speak to me. I wanted something that I could see myself in for a few years at least.

“Come on, Ri! It’s gonna take me thirty minutes to get to the place, so we’ve gotta leave now.” I yelled down the hall.

“I’m coming, lady!”

“Are those my slides you have on?” My eyes landed on a familiar pair of designer slides that I received for my birthday.

“Maybe.” Riya smirked.

“Girl, I just got those. What the hell?”

“You were taking too long to wear them. Who keeps shoes like these in a box to collect dust? I figured I would put them to use since you were neglecting them. I’m so happy we wear the same shoe size.

If only I could fit your clothes, then I would be in heaven.

At least I have access to all of your jewelry, perfumes, and purses. ”

“Get a life, girl. You have a closet full of clothes, and some of them still have tags on them. I spend more money on your clothes than I do mine.” I fussed, knowing damn well I enjoyed spoiling my siblings.

We’ve lived an impoverished life for far too long, and I loved being able to provide for them in a way we’ve never experienced before.

We headed out the door with a few minutes to spare. Our realtor would be meeting us at the property, and I wanted to make it there before her.

“How are you feeling about school?” I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she was a senior and would be heading to college in the fall.

It seemed like just yesterday that she was begging me to take her to the zoo.

Now, she had her license and was driving herself around.

I planned to buy her a car, but for now, I was letting her use my girl Betty.

“I’m excited about it, to be honest. The last couple of years were rough, but I’m looking forward to a fresh start.

My friends are all going to JU as well, so I’m excited to go on this journey with them.

We have freshman orientation in a few weeks, and I’ll get the opportunity to walk through the campus and find my classes. ”

“I’m proud of you. You’ve overcome something that could have destroyed you, but you’re blossoming.

I want you to know that I’m here no matter what.

If you need to talk or if you feel overwhelmed on campus, all you have to do is call me.

” Riya developed PTSD along with anxiety after she was kidnapped, and I worried her being on campus around so many people would be a trigger for her.

Watching her struggle through this only made me want to strangle my parents for what they allowed to happen.

“I think I’ll be okay. Dr. Ross has been a major help, and she has given me some breathing techniques and tools to use when I feel overwhelmed.

My last panic attack was four months ago, and Dr. Ross says I’m making incredible progress.

It will be an adjustment, but I’m gonna be brave like my big sister.

” If only she knew how hard it was. Sometimes, it seemed like I was anything but brave.

“Well, I pray you don’t make as many mistakes as I did.

Either way, I’m in your corner. I want you to focus on your education, but I also want you to have fun.

I didn’t have the opportunity to attend college, but I did go to a few parties.

Take advantage of the experience as much as you can.

” I wanted her to enjoy being young for as long as she could before real life and responsibilities took over.

Life came with its own set of lessons, but I desired for her to live with no regrets.

We arrived at the property at the same time as my realtor, Miko.

She greeted us as soon as we stepped out of the car.

We headed inside the property so she could show us around.

I wasn’t sold on the first property, but I began to warm up after the second and third ones.

I loved the idea of Riya and West having rooms on the opposite side of the condo because I didn’t want them to hear me doing grown-up activities.

They had been exposed to enough in life.

Miko was explaining all the amenities that came with the property when my phone rang.

Anxiously, I retrieved it from my pocket and excused myself from them.

“Hello.”

“Hey, what’s up?” Pure’s smooth, controlled voice sounded off through my speakerphone. There was a bit of an awkward silence, so I decided to cut right to the chase.

“I need to know where he is.” My request was met with a low chuckle on the other end. My face twisted into a frown because there was nothing funny about this situation.

“Am I missing the joke here?” I’m sure my frustration was detectable in my tone, but he had pissed me off.

“Naw, shorty. I’m not laughing at you. You just reminded me of something my brother told me. What do you want with his location?”