Page 60 of Unmask
“Yeah. It’s still pinging at the school. Like it never left. Can you try calling her? Maybe she’ll pick up for you.”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “I will. I’m coming over. You shouldn’t be alone.” I blinked hard against the pressure behind my eyes. “I’ll talk to her parents. The police, if they’re still there. We’ll figure this out. Together.”
There was a ragged breath on the other end. “We have to find her, Kay.”
“We will,” I vowed before ending the call. I stared out the window again, watching the world pass in a blur of gray and blue.
Kenny was missing.
Those words didn’t fit in my mouth. They didn’t feel real.
She was loud. Smart. Funny. Loyal. Literally the best friend anyone could ask for. She wasn’t supposed to just disappear.
I fumbled with my phone in my hand like a lifeline. Kreed hadn’t said anything, but his gaze was on me, waiting patiently. I didn’t turn to meet it. I couldn’t. Instead, I whispered to the dark interior of the car, “This can’t be happening.”
Not to Kenny.
Please, not to Kenny.
My call went straight to voicemail when I tried her number, and my texts went unread, but I had to try. The last fifteen minutes to my old neighborhood were fucking harrowing. I didn’t know what to do with myself, my mind spiraling to the darkest possible scenarios. Kreed pulled my fidgeting hand into his, steady and strong, two things I desperately needed.
We pulled up to Kenny’s house a few minutes later, the town car barely coming to a full stop before I was pushing the door open and stepping out into the cold. Evan called after me to wait, but Kreed was already there, rounding the car and falling into step beside me. “You’re not going in alone,” he stated.
I didn’t argue.
There was no time.
As soon as I spotted the two cop cars, my chest seized; for a brutal, endless heartbeat, the afternoon bled away, and I was there again, standing in the cold, my parents’ blood slick on the driveway, the wail of sirens clawing through the air louder than my own silent scream.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” Kreed said.
I nodded, drawing in a breath and lifting my chin.I can do this.For Kenny, I would do anything.
The porch lights spilled weakly across the dusting of snow, illuminating Carson’s pale, stricken face as he yanked open the front door before we even reached it. “Kay,” he said, pulling me into a desperate hug. His entire body shook. “God, I’m so glad you’re here.”
I hugged him back just as tightly, feeling the rim of his fear scrape raw against my skin. When we pulled apart, Carson finally noticed Kreed behind me, his eyes darting warily between us. I gave a small shake of my head and a pleading glance. The last thing I needed was the two of them to start shit. Carsonseemed to understand, but he touched the side of his lip where the cut Kreed had left was still healing
Kreed kept his hand on the small of my back, a silent gesture of support I needed. “What the fuck is going on? Have they found her?” I rushed out. “Found anything?”
Carson had tears in his stormy, dark blue eyes. “She’s gone. I don’t think this is a prank. She’s really missing.”
My legs trembled, and I sank into Kreed, my back falling into his solid chest. I had to get a hold of myself. The only way we could find her was if we all kept our composure and a cool head. Falling apart wouldn’t bring Kenny home.
The house smelled like coffee and something burnt, as if someone had forgotten a pot on the stove. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with despair. Kenny’s mom sat on the couch, her face buried in her hands, shoulders heaving silently. Her dad stood stiffly by the fireplace, jaw clenched, talking to two uniformed officers with grim faces.
The severity of the situation hit me.
“Kaylor.” One of the cops turned toward me, recognition flashing in his eyes. “We might need to ask you a few questions. Specifically, about the last time you spoke with Kennedy.”
No one called her Kennedy. Not even her parents. “Kenny,” I corrected. “She goes by Kenny, and whatever you need,” I replied, my throat dry. “We last spoke a few days ago.”
Kreed hovered a few feet behind me, his entire body humming with silent tension. He was a living weapon, poised to act if needed.
For once, I was glad he was here, not that he needed to know that.
The officer gave me a sympathetic smile and motioned toward the kitchen, away from Kenny’s grieving mother. I followed, Carson and Kreed at my back like twin shadows.
As I walked, I couldn’t shake the feeling coiling in my gut, the same sick twist of dread that had haunted me ever since Carson’s call. Those girls who kept going missing over the last six months flashed through my memory.
