Page 32 of The Rowdy Ones

Tomorrow will start a full week of my different therapies and classes. I’m excited about the schedule on my calendar. Being able to learn more about my condition and how to navigate the dark world I’m in is necessary for my autonomy. As I delve into adulthood, I want to be able to take care of myself and not be someone else’s burden.

“Where’s Rowdy?” Wild asks when he enters the cabin, not long after Weston had to leave. “I haven’t seen him all day.”

I didn’t even know he was gone. I’d assumed he was hiding out in the RV.

“He took my truck to town,” Uncle Atticus says. “Said he had some things to take care of.”

Wild scoffs. “Like what?”

“Didn’t ask,” he replies with a shrug. “Rowdy’s a big boy. He can take care of himself.”

I can feel Wild’s stare on me burning hot. We’re both thinking it. Not right now he can’t. Excusing myself, I make my way to the room I’m staying in and snatch up my phone. “Call Rowdy.”

It begins ringing. Over and over until it goes to the voice mailbox. I end the call without leaving him a message.

“Text Rowdy.” Once the digital voice confirms it will and asks me what I want it to say, I reply with, “Where are you?”

My stomach twists and the good food I just ate sours. Uneasiness settles in my gut. It’s strange for Rowdy to go anywhere without anyone. Back home, it was the norm. He liked to get away and enjoyed the solitude. And while he probably still wants that here, I’m not sure why he’d need Uncle Atticus’s truck for it. A long walk in the woods would do it for Rowdy.

Heavy footsteps thud into the room and I angle my head to listen. Too heavy for Aunt Eve or the twins. Since Uncle Atticus usually hits his knuckles on the door before stepping inside to alert me it’s him, I narrow it down to Wild being my visitor.

“Where do you think he went, Wild?”

“You know, it’s kind of creepy how you do that,” he says instead of answering. “Are you sure you can’t see? I bet this is all some elaborate scheme to get attention. Raegan taught you well.”

I shake my head and sigh. “You’re noisy and easy to pick out of a crowd. It’s your mom who sneaks up on me sometimes and I never know.”

A shudder ripples through me. That woman is quiet as a mouse and moves soundlessly. Thankfully, she loves me and watches out for me. Otherwise, it’d be slightly terrifying if I didn’t know her so well.

He comes to stand close to me, his cologne scent overpowering my senses. “I don’t know, but it makes me nervous. Want to go for a ride with me to see if we can find him?”

“Yes,” I say with a nod. “He’s not answering my calls or texts, which worries me.”

Rowdy is capable and fierce. I’m not necessarily worried about him getting hurt or in an accident or anything. I’m more concerned about his depression consuming him and he’s somewhere suffering all alone with it.

Once my coat and boots are on, I let Wild lead me out of the cabin to his truck. We’re quiet as he drives into town, each of us lost in thought.

“What the fuck?”

I tense up and turn my head toward him. “What is it?”

“Roadblock. Police are everywhere.”

Panic claws its way up my chest and shreds my throat. “What if it’s Rowdy?”

Wild grunts, but I can sense the dread rippling off him. He slows to a stop and then rolls down his window.

“Everything okay, Officer?” Wild asks, voice tight.

“Crime scene,” the officer states. “This whole road is going to be blocked off for a while.”

“How come?”

“I’m not at liberty to say.”

“Is someone hurt?” Wild demands. “Our friend is missing.”

The policeman sucks in a sharp breath. “Your friend male or female?”