Chapter Six

The next morning Ebony awoke with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. All night long her dreams had been invaded with beautiful images of Jay’s deep, dark brown eyes and his charming smile. Even still when she closed her eyes she could taste his lips upon her own.

She let out a small giggle and laughed nervously, licking her lips wishing she could taste Jay again and soon. Quickly, she pushed back her warm comforter and snuggled her naked toes into her thick fuzzy slippers and stood up. She padded over to her closet where she had finally begun to get everything hung up and settled and selected her favorite outfit – an outfit she knew she looked killer in.

She spent twice as long as she normally did on her face and makeup, but she knew it would not matter much. She seemed to have awoken up especially early. She still had not heard anyone in the house stirring.

Finally, after Ebony had been completely ready for the day for at least twenty minutes she heard the door across the hall slowly open. Her heart quickened as she created a mental image of what Jay must look like – still a little sleepy, but his casual goofy smile on his lips as he made his way downstairs towards the breakfast table where her Grandmum would have prepared a hearty yet nutritious meal.

Ebony slowly counted to ten then sprang up from her bed and hurried to her door, opening it slowly and casually, pretending that she had not heard Jay creeping out of his room only moments before.

Ebony was about ready to open her mouth and say good morning to Jay when she noticed the hall was completely empty. She frowned, refusing to think how peculiar that was, and slowly made her way down to the dinning room table.

“Good morning, Grandmum.” She greeted Elaine who was seated in a chair in the living room. Her head was rested against the back of the chair, her eyes closed and for a brief moment Ebony thought she was asleep. “Grandmum?” She repeated, worry slipping into her heart.

“Oh, Ebony. You’re awake.” Elaine’s eyelids fluttered open. Ebony than noticed her Grandmum’s hand had been resting on an old black leather Bible and she realized she had must interrupted her Grandmum’s prayers.

“Is everything alright?” Ebony was unable to keep the fear out of her voice as she asked Elaine the question.

Elaine slowly shook her head, her soft hazel eyes filling with tears. “Ebony, dear, did you hear Ved leave last night?”

Panic seized her heart as she quickly sorted through her blurred memories of the night before. After her experience with Jay she had fallen soundly asleep, entertained by her fine dreams. “No.” She whispered, her voice hoarse.

“He’s gone.” Elaine pursed her lips in a fashion that Ebony noticed both she and her mum did. “He’s been missing since last night. So has his friend Josh. Have you ever met him?”

Ebony gave an involuntary shudder as she thought of Ved’s strange and peculiar friend. “Yeah, I met him once. But I don’t understand, Grandmum, how do you know they’re both missing?”

“Josh’s parents called us a few hours ago. Jay and Jared are out looking for them right now. We’re very worried about him, Ebony. Josh is a terrible influence on him.”

Ebony nodded slowly, making her way over to the sofa directly across from Elaine, twiddling her thumbs nervously.

“I don’t know what we’ll do if Jay and your Grandfather are unable to find him. He’s done this before you know, sneaking out to meet with that Josh. Of course we know he goes all the time at night, but we can’t really see how we can stop that. We had hoped that by putting you in that room he would be discourage—“

“Grandmum?” Ebony suddenly interrupted Elaine, a thought occurring to her.

“Yes, dear?”

“Are we alone in the house?”

“Why yes. Jay and Jared left hours ago, like I said.” Elaine replied, not seeing the point in Ebony’s question.

Without bothering to explain to her Grandmum her sudden outburst, Ebony leaped to her feet and raced to the stairs taking them two at a time. She thought she had heard someone coming out of Jay’s room earlier, but perhaps it was someone going inside, not coming out. That would explain the empty hall.

Ebony rattled Jay’s doorknob and felt the lock securely in place. “Sorry Jay.” She muttered, raising her foot up and kicking the door with all her might. The wood was old and splintered easily, the door flinging open.

“Hold it right there!”