39
I feel whiplashed as I stare at my phone
I found Rose!!
Alice’s message. She knows where her sister is.
But on the heels of surprise, a sense of release. A warm fluidity relaxing every fiber.
Rose is safe. She isn’t missing.
Sliding down the wall, I set down the poker and type a response.
Alice, that’s wonderful! I know you’re relieved.
And so am I. If Rose didn’t disappear from Maison Marteau, then there was never any danger. Not for her. Or me.
Hope tries to rise, but reality rushes in.
No. Someone was here. In my apartment.
And if theCarmillabook is any proof, they’ve been here before.
Fear is creeping back in when a trail of bubbles pops up. Alice is typing.
Sorry I didn’t write back sooner. But it’s good news! Rose just posted, and we’ve been messaging. She’s fine! Met someone and took off for a new adventure.
Rose posted? Needing to see for myself, I type Rose’s username into the search bar and go to her profile. A new photo sits at the top, a view of a sandy beach and crystal-blue water. Palm trees swoop in from both sides, completing the generic tropical scene.
The picture is location tagged as Bali, Indonesia.
Something niggles at the back of my mind. Mulling over what Alice has told me, I send a reply.
I’m so glad Rose is safe. Have you talked to her?
A single photo isn’t much proof, especially when Rose isn’t pictured. Then it strikes me. The wording of the caption is what’s bothering me.A new adventure. Similar to Rose’s previous post. But is it too similar?
Alice responds.
Yes, we’ve spoken. I’m leaving tonight to go and meet her.
She’s leaving tonight? I rise from the floor, thinking about what I want to say. I can’t shake suspicion, the growing feeling that something isn’t right.
Wow, Bali! What an amazing place. And you’ll get to meet Rose’s new boyfriend.
I hit send, bite my lip, and wait. Time passes, but I don’t dare take my eyes off the screen. The bubbles appear. Stop again. Reappear.
I need Alice to respond.
I need her to say the right thing.
Another minute, and I let my head fall back against the wood panel. Then my phone pings again.
Yes! He really makes her happy. Seems like a great guy.
A groan escapes my lips. Grabbing the poker, I dart a terrified glance down the hall.
André said to keep it secret, that nobody else knew Rose was gay.
