“Boss man. You got a TV?”
“What? No, I don’t have a fucking TV. What’s going on—“
“The Mayor is giving a speech. Channel 11—“
“Elias! Phone. Stream Channel 11 or whatever the fuck you people do. Now!” Elias whips his phone out, frantically typing. “Mac, have you found anything?”
“Nada, Boss. We’re still looking, though.”
It takes everything in my power not to throw the phoneacross the room or punch the wall. I’ve wanted to rage all night—take a sledgehammer and beat down every door in this whole town to find him. “Thanks, Mac.” I hang up. Losing my mind won’t help.
“Here.” Elias holds up the phone, and that ugly mother fucker waddles onstage looking like someone took a frying pan to the head.
“Your boy did a number on him,” Tobias says.
We don’t even know if Felix did that, but if he did, then I am proud as hell.
Hargrove takes a deep breath, milking the moment, before speaking with a solemn voice.
“My fellow citizens. Last night, my son Felix attacked me.”
What?“No. He’s lying. Something else hap—”
“My son is unwell. You all know about my wife, Belinda’s, struggles with mental health. Felix has similar trouble.”
My knuckles crack as I clench my fist. Lies. There’s nothing wrong with Felix. I take the phone, holding it close, trying to read this son of a bitch.
“My son attacked me, then ran off. I am here today to implore that you keep your eyes open. My son is—“
A picture of Felix appears on the screen while Hargrove describes his height and build. My fingers want to touch the beautiful face before me.
“Please contact the number on your screens if you see anything, but do not approach him. He is dangerous. Local law enforcement is doing everything they can, but I implore you to help as well.”
The number and the image of Felix vanish. Hargrove places his hand to his heart, then pulls a picture frame from his suit jacket pocket and looks at it. The son of a bitch sits on the podium, and the camera zooms in on a picture of Felix and his mom. He’s a little boy in the picture.
I’ve never seen Felix as a little boy…
My grip tightens.
“No one should have to endure this kind of pain.” Hargrove continues. “I tried for months to get Felix to take his medicine. We tried desperately to find the right therapist for my darling son, but Felix never took to them. And now this.”
Hargrove wipes the tears away. My breathing slows. The air cools, and my heart thumps like a metronome.
“I am a fortunate man. A man of means, and even I had a terrible time navigating our disastrous healthcare system. I can’t imagine what the people of this good town, some of whom have much less than I, go through day in and day out to get the care you need. It isn’t right. In a country this wealthy, healthcare should be free and accessible to every man, woman, and child. That’s why, as Mayor, I will fight for reform!”
Cameras flash. The sound of applause rings out, and Hargrove nods and pumps his fist.He’s using this as a political stunt! He’sparroting the moderate candidate.The phone begins shaking in my grasp. My head pounds, and that urge to slice something with my bare hands rumbles inside me.
“You need someone strong to be an advocate for you and your loved ones! Someone who has a heart—who knows what you’re going through. I know how hard it is for some of you, and I promise I will fight for you. FOR ALL OF YOU!”
He places both hands on the podium, a soft whimper leaving his mouth.
“I will not give up. Not on you. Not on this town. And not on you, my Felix.”
His face fills the screen. Tears pour from his eyes, and his lower lip quivers.
“Come home, Felix. Please, come home.”
The hotline reappears along with Felix’s picture. I stare at his smile.
