Page 79 of Ravenous

“What?” Finn squinted at him.

“He bought a treadmill,” Mason blurted, as if he’d been holding back. “I want to throw it off the roof. You really fucked up because all he does is cry and run on that thing. And stop sending the cops here, I have enough trouble with my own family.”

Finn’s blood ran cold. No wonder he couldn’t find Ollie running around the neighborhood, because he was running at home. And if he was using it night and day…

“Where is he?” Finn wanted to reach out and grab Mason’s arm but he held back.

“I don’t know.” And Mason was testing that restraint. Owen must’ve sensed something because he stepped up, radiating much less intensity than Finn.

“Do you have any idea where Olliemightbe? When did he leave?”

Fortunately, Owen’s knack for people also worked on Mason, who relaxed his shoulders, tossing the photos onto the table next to him. “Yesterday, which is weird because he hasn’t left the house in weeks.” A small crease appeared on his brow. “What’s wrong with him?”

“An eating disorder.” Finn didn’t realize he was speaking.

Mason nodded slowly. “That makes sense.” Turning, he stomped off into the darkroom and Finn thought that the conversation was over until he strode back in, camera in hand. Turning it on, he flicked through a bunch of photos before showing Finn and Owen the viewscreen. “Because he looks terrible.”

Finn stumbled back, legs shaking, for Ollie had lost even more weight, officially passing over the threshold into terrifying. His face was a map of thick shadows and deep valleys, his skin just a thin wrapper for his skull, his clothing swallowing him. Curled on one cushion of the sofa engrossed in his phone, he seemed unaware of Mason’s presence. One hand rested on the bandana that covered most of his hair, and Finn cringed, knowing that Ollie had lost more of it.

Finn now understood that when someone said their heart ached it truly hurt because he’d caused Ollie’s backslide and it was ripping him apart. If he could, he’d reach back into the past and undate Ellie, but since that was currently impossible, he’d do the next best thing. He’d find Ollie and get him some help.

“You havenoidea where he went?” Finn asked, voice raw. Mason’s features flickered again and Finn realized that, under it all, Mason was worried about Ollie too.

“No. We don’t talk a lot.”

Finn couldn’t deny that was true. Somewhere along the line, Owen had sat him on a kitchen stool, and even though he was very much an unwanted guest currently breaking the law, Finn took the time to think.

“Should I call the police?” Owen’s thumbs flew over his cell’s keyboard.

“Not yet. I want to try and find him first.” But his brain was a ball of apprehension. All he could remember was the night they met, when Ollie had started crying in the back of the car. Something fierce and protective had risen inside of Finn, and all he’d wanted to do was see Ollie smile.

“Hey, I know this is weird and really unprofessional but can I take you somewhere? I promise it’s perfectly safe.”

With a gasp, Finn stood. “I know where he is!”

“Go,” Owen told him, finishing up a text. “Liam can pick me up outside.”

“But I drove you here…” Finn began hopping from foot to foot.

“Remember how happy Liam was to seeyouwhen we searched for him?” Owen’s eyebrows went up.

“True. Okay.” Turning, Finn faced Mason. “I’m sorry we busted in.”

“Don’t do it again. Let me know about Ollie.” Giving Finn a sharp nod, Mason gathered the photos he’d thrown on the table. Finn hadn’t cared about them before but when his eye caught their subject, a small percentage of his attention spun like a top.

“Sure, but I have a quick question.” He stared pointedly at them. “Why do you have pictures of Rain?”

For a few seconds, Finn thought that Ollie was dead.

He was exactly where Finn thought he’d be - parked at the edge of the lookout - and when the bumpy road opened up to the view, with Ollie’s car center stage, baking in the afternoon sun, Finn sagged in relief. But that relief quickly morphed into panic when there was no reaction to his approach at all. The distinct sound of tires over packed dirt should have Ollie up and turning, his neck craned in curiosity; instead, he was out like a light, reclined in his seat, and at that angle it didn’t look like he was breathing.

Slamming the car into park, Finn bolted to Ollie’s door, trying to wrench it open but it was locked. Thankfully, the commotion caused Ollie to stir with a frown, and he cracked open bleary eyes that grew wide as they stared up at Finn, who almost melted into the ground, the fear leaving his limbs wobbly.

“Finn?” Even though his voice was warped by the glass, Ollie sounded frightened and confused, and while he clearly wasn’t dead, he looked very close to it. Mason’s photo hadn’t done him justice, for he’d changed an alarming amount over the last fourteen days. To say he was gaunt would be an understatement, for it seemed as if his skeleton was prying itself loose, and even though he wore layers, they hung from his shrunken frame like a white flag. A fisherman’s hat sat on top of his usual fluffy curls, hiding most of them, but the strands that poked out drooped with a lifelessness that mimicked Ollie’s energy, and Finn’s panic rose again. How long had Ollie been out here, sleeping in his car? And had he truly fallen asleep or had he passed out? A chill ran up Finn’s spine as he realized with dire certainty that he needed to get through to Ollie here and now or he’d lose his sunshine for good.

Wiping cold sweat from his brow, Finn gestured at the door with a half-hearted smile. Blinking a few more times, Ollie started and then fumbled around until he hit the right button, unlocking everything with an echoing click. Wanting to cut off any means of escape, Finn sprinted to the other side of the car and slid into the passenger seat; that way Ollie wouldn’t be able to slam a door and lock Finn out to avoid the conversation. He’d have to walk away and Ollie didn’t seem strong enough to do that.

It was scorchingly hot in the car and Finn wrinkled his nose, reaching over to start the car and circulate some fresh cool air, then cracking open a few windows.

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