Chapter 27 Javi
Javi
“Kait! Kait!”
I don’t see her. I can’t find her. She took off so fast, I lost her. In the chaos I just ran, and now I’m completely turned around.
“Kait!” I shout again, not caring how loud I am. Not caring that the murderer who cut Emerson the fuck up might be right around the corner. Because I’ve got to find her. If I don’t, I…
I can’t think about what will happen if I don’t.
I keep going, leaving the trees and the mud behind for rocks, so the cliffs are close.
I see them now, coming into view, and the salt in the air stings the cuts I now have on my arms and face from tearing through the forest. I whip around, looking for a flash of her blond hair.
But there’s nothing. No Emerson or Marlene, either.
I pause near the edge of a cliff, hands on my thighs.
I bend over for a deep breath and notice my shoelaces are loose.
I retie them with double knots and look out to where the waves crash down below.
It’s so dark, but the rain’s let up a lot.
It’s more like a mist now. I shield my eyes and look out over the waves, at the murky blackness that shifts and glows past me.
Any other day, I could imagine Kaitlyn and me walking along the sand. Looking out on this water under sunlight rather than moonlight. Hell, our first kiss was at the beach.
“Can I tell you a secret?” she’d whispered, just before bringing her lips to mine.
“Kaitlyn!” I call again, cupping my hands over my mouth. “Kait!”
“She’s not coming.”
When I turn around, I’m not sure what I’m expecting. But when my eyes land on the figure standing in the dark, shock mingles with dread, then crystallizes into understanding as pieces come together and I realize everything I missed.
“God,” I say softly. “I should’ve fucking known.”