Page 56 of The Spare

Izzy's gone. Someone took her.

I won't be anything without her. She was my everything.

October 19th

Mason made me eat today. I threw it up almost immediately.

October 29th

They still haven't found her. The only way I'm able to sleep is in Mason's arms. I don't think I'm ever going to see her again. I don't want to run anymore. I don't want to do anything.

I don't want to be here.

The guilt begins to eat me alive. I drag a hand down my face, cupping my jaw for a minute remembering we'd almost had to sign her into a rehab. That was the longest day and night of my life, her pleading and begging not to be sent away.

The next page is a journal entry depicting me getting her the diamond necklace I'd just packed up. I flip and flip, seeing her feelings on not going to the college she originally wanted in California because Isobel and Hendrix wanted to keep her close. As did I.

She was so upset. The page looks a bit stiff in spots from tear stains. I remember the day they told her she had to stay in New York for her safety. I was so torn. I told Hendrix I'd move to California with her to keep an eye on her, but that was shot down, too. He didn't trust me, he'd said.

I tilt my head, my lips curling in amusement at the sight of our names combined together. I run my fingers across the lines, my skin going hot.

Mason Antonio King and Melody Rachel King.

I stare at our names together far too long, thinking they look perfect. I'm glad she scratched out her maiden name, she wasn't going to be allowed to keep it anyway.

The next journal entry Melody speaks about her first boyfriend disappearing, thinking something happened to him. Then by the third boyfriend, she'd begun to believe she was the problem. That they were running from her. Rejecting her. All journal entries after that depict a Melody that I'd personally never seen before.

One who's deeply insecure, and very unhappy with herself.

I look up, thinking.

This is also the time she'd started to wear a lot of makeup.

I flip the next page, inhaling sharply at the depiction of an incredibly detailed sex dream she'd just had recently about me. My cock jerks against the tight confines of my pants, and I groan quietly, putting a hand to the ache and squeezing. Trying to get myself in check.

"Jesus,"I mutter.

Hearing Dante come back in, I close the journal and shove it into the box with her things and tape the box shut. I check my phone, seeing it light up with an incoming text, and my blood runs hot with anger as I read the contents.

Headed to you now, should be there in fifteen. I just want to let you know, they stopped by his house for about thirty minutes before making their way back to the university. Her blonde friend left to go to her boyfriend’s, so they were alone. -Stephen

Why the fuck didn't you call me and let me know? -Mason

I swear to God he's getting fired.

I did, boss. You didn't answer. -Stephen

Frowning, I scroll up and see he'd also texted me to let me know as well as called me three times, but my phone was on do not disturb because of the incessant ringing from my family members. I shake my head and force myself to take a deep breath.

When I'm wrong, I'm wrong.

I'll admit it.

Sorry, Stephen. Thank you. -Mason

I pocket my phone and grab the last three boxes, shutting the dorm door behind me. A student lingers in the hallway giving me a side eyeas she sits on the floor on her phone. I ignore her, stepping over her legs and make my way to the stairwell where I make the short journey to my car and shove the boxes in the backseat.

I try to call Melody, but her phone goes straight to voicemail. Not wanting her to see me, I park further down the street and wait.