Chapter 4: The Distance
I arrived in New York, the city's familiar skyline a blur as I rushed through the airport. I hailed a taxi to the hospital normally a driver would have been waiting for me, but since I came back in a rush I didn't contact him to pick me up. We sped through the streets, my heart racing with every passing minute.
As we arrived at the hospital, I saw my dad and sister Emily outside the emergency room, their faces etched with worry. "How is she?" I asked, my voice shaking.
Dad's eyes were red-rimmed, but he managed a weak smile. "She's still unconscious, but the doctors said she'll be fine."
I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. We waited for what felt like an eternity, the silence between us thick with unspoken fears.
Finally, after an hour of waiting, Mom woke up, her eyes fluttering open. I felt a sob catch in my throat as I rushed to her side, hugging her gently. "Mom, I'm here," I whispered, trying to hold back tears.
The doctor came in, his expression reassuring. "She needs to rest, but she's stable. The scans are clear, and she's lucky to have avoided any serious damage. We need to keep an eye on her and make sure she gets plenty of rest."
As Mom drifted off to sleep, I turned to Dad, my eyes asking the question he knew I was too afraid to ask. "She'll be okay, son," he said, his voice low and steady. "She's strong."
I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over me. My parents' love was the stuff of legends, the kind of love that made you believe in fairy tales. I hoped to build something like that with Avery someday.
But then I remembered I hadn't told her what had happened, hadn't had a chance to explain before rushing off. I tried to call her, but then I remembered I didn't have her number, and I had no way of getting in touch with her. Jason and Liam just arrived in New York a while back to check on my mom after the news of Mom's accident had spread on the news and social media and so now I was left with no way to reach her.
Five days passed, and Mom was discharged from the hospital. I spent two days with her, trying to make sure she was comfortable and settled. But as soon as I could, I headed back to Willow Creek, determined to find Avery and explain everything.
I arrived in Willow Creek, my heart racing with anticipation. But as I drove to the diner, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.
I pulled up to the diner, and that's when I saw it. The sign was still there, but it looked...different. The lights were off, and the doors were locked. I tried the handle, but it was locked.
I knocked on the door, hoping someone would answer, but there was only silence. I looked around, feeling a growing sense of unease. Where was everyone?
I spotted Mrs. Jenkins, a neighbor, watching me from across the street. I approached her, trying to keep my voice steady. "Mrs. Jenkins, where's Avery?"
Her expression was somber, her eyes filled with pity. "Avery's gone, Ethan. Her grandmother passed away, and she left town haven't seen her since then."She said, "Nobody here in Willow Creek knows her whereabouts "
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, the air knocked out of me. Gone? What did she mean?
I stumbled backward, feeling like I'd lost my footing. Avery was gone, and I had no way of finding her.