"Hey guys, I've got a job interview to go to so I'm gonna head out early." Everyone looked up from their books around the study table and smiled at Annie. "You got your key, right Annie?" Troy asked. Annie smiled. "Yep, I'll see you too at home." They all waved after her before returning to their books until about an hour later when Britta finally deemed everyone ready for their Biology test tomorrow.
Troy and Abed casually made their way up to room 303, chatting about their growing excitement for the release of The Dark Knight Rises. "I hope it's similar to the comic books! In Knightfall, Bane actually broke Batman's back! That'd be awesome to see in the movie!" Troy said enthusiastically. Abed smirked at him while turning the key to their apartment. "I just hope that it's actually good. Trilogies can either end on a very good note, or very bad note. Take a look at Return of the King and Spiderman 3." When the two of them entered their apartment, it was eerily quiet. Annie should have been home from her interview by now. "Annie! We're home!" Troy yelled.
No answer.
They checked her room, the blanket fort and even the Dreamatorium but she was nowhere to be found. "Maybe she did some grocery shopping or something?" Troy asked. Abed nodded slightly. "Yeah, let's hope so. Why don't we just watch Inspector Spacetime while we wait for her?" Troy suddenly smiled wide. "Awesome!" he said giddily. With that the two of them plopped onto their armchairs and turned on the television.
2 years later.
Jeff waited patiently at Britta's door in his suit. For the first time ever, he wished he was wearing something, anything else. He still couldn't believe that the six of them were doing this. Just because it had been two years didn't mean they should give up hope. And that meant a lot coming from Jeff of all people. Britta opened the door, looking modest in a black dress that Jeff couldn't believe a girl like her even owned. They looked at each other for a moment before simply saying "Let's go" at the same time.
The car ride was silent. Jeff could tell Britta didn't mind, but it was eating away at him. He knew however, that the one thing that he did want to talk about would start yet another argument between the two of them. So, he just tightened his grip on the steering wheel and sped up slightly. They were halfway to the funeral home before Jeff finally pulled over the car. Britta looked at him knowingly.
"Jeff...listen I know-"He interrupted her. "You don't know. Stop saying you know how I feel, because you don't. Britta, let me tell you what you DO know. You know that Annie is still out there. You know that you don't wanna give up hope, but you're still going to do it to appease the rest of the group. Just because we're the only ones left who still know we can save her doesn't mean we have to stop looking. Even her goddamn parents gave up hope! But she's still out there! I know she is!" Britta wasn't angry that Jeff had interrupted her. She just looked at him sadly. "Jeff, it's been two years since Annie has gone missing, and one year since we've graduated. I admit that I think this funeral procession is a little bit premature for my tastes, but like I've told you many times before, we need to get on with our lives. You're a lawyer now, and I'm working towards my doctorate in psychology. Shirley's bakery business is finally starting to take off, and Abed and Troy are moving to California. Even Pierce has finally gotten his new business off of his feet! Jeff, listen. We can't keep doing this. The police haven't moved on, because it's their job. I think it's time to just leave it up to them."
Jeff just stared out the window. He hated how useless he felt right now. He also hated that everyone seemed to accept that Annie was gone. But he figured that he might as well just accept that everyone else had given up. He sure hadn't. And he didn't need their help.
He didn't say anything as he started up the car again. Britta returned to her comfortable silence as they started driving to the funeral home again. She grasped his hand slightly and whispered "Thank you" as they drove away.