I need to find him.
I drive to the police station. It’s empty inside—which is expected for an afternoon on a Tuesday.
“How can I help you?” The deputy at the front desk asks me, barely glancing up from her documents.
“Yeah, I need to report a missing person.” Her head finally rises, taking in my red, tear-stained face and panicked expression. She reaches into a drawer and pulls out a document.
“Can you tell me what they look like?”
“Yeah—blonde hair, brown eyes, about 5’11—he’s skinny but still has some muscle on him if that helps. He should bewearing a Havenmart shirt since he works there.” She’s nodding, writing it all down.
“And where was he last seen?”
“My apartment by UA. He ran about three hours ago now. He was beaten up.” Her brow raises at me.
“Age?”
“Twenty.”
“Ahh. Okay. And you are?” I fidget—feeling like I’m now under an interrogation.
“The boyfriend.” I can see right here at this moment they will no longer be taking me or this issue seriously. “His name is Benjamin Dickinson. I’m Aaron Archer.” I add, since shestillhasn’t asked for his name.
“Okay, Mr. Archer. I will get this to a deputy and as soon as we can we’ll have a car patrol, okay?”
“I—I’m sorry—what?” They’ll have one coppatrolthe town? That’s literally what I just did. What the fuck is happening? “My boyfriend is missing and was beaten up and that’s all we can do?” She sighs, leaning back in her chair to stare at me like I’m a bratty child.
“Mr. Archer—Mr. Dickinson is an adult, and it’s only been a few hours. If his family comes up here—or it’s been a bit longer—we can assume this is more serious, but as of right now other emergencies take precedence.”
“He has no family.” She just stares at me, so I leave.
Dumb fucking cop. Not everyone has a line of people to call the police for them when they go missing. All he has is stupid Ronnie who most likely— Oh. Oh, God. He wouldn’t—would he?
I turn my truck around and hit the gas. When I’m halfway to Lancaster I call Felix.
“Hey.”
“Hey—I forgot to call. I’m going to Lancaster. I think he could have gone home.”
“What?!” He sounds almost angry. “Why would he do that?”
“I think it’s his mom.” Felix sighs.
“Did you report him missing?”
“Yes. They won’t take it seriously unless it’s been so many hours or his family goes up there.”
“But he has no family.”
“I know.” We’re both quiet for a minute—mourning this reality for him, sitting in this sorrow the way he has for years—all alone.
“I’m on my way.” Felix hangs up.
For the rest of the drive, I switch between trying not to hyperventilate and hoping to God I’m right. If I’m not—that puts me three hours from UA and nowhere near where he went missing.
???
It’s dark by the time I get to his house, and all the lights are on—but his dad’s car isn’t here.Please, please, please.
