The next morning was surreal.
No, scratch that. The whole day.
After the first rays of light peeked through Korrine's window blinds. She rushed downstairs. The home phone was on the dining room table and her parents were sitting around it. Both had dark circles under their eyes. They cradled their lattes like half milk-half coffee beverages could bring world peace.
She took this as a sign that Bryce wasn't home.
Korrine took her time, walking across the room to sit next to her mother. Amy didn't even look up at Korrine. She was stirring her coffee with her pinkie and when she pulled it out, her finger was red and burned.
They sat like that in silence for a while. Then the phone rang. Korrine's heart gave a lurch and she reached out to answer it, but her dad lunged onto the table to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Dan?"
"No, he hasn't."
"Alright."
"See you soon."
Neither her mom or her gave an effort to ask who it was. Soon enough, the doorbell rang, and in rushed Uncle Dan. His normally mischief filled eyes were dull and took a cup of coffee and sat at the table.
"Do you think the Vespers took him?" That was Uncle Dan. Straight to the point.
Amy took a long drink of her coffee and put it down like it could blow away with the wind.
"We dealt with them a long time ago. Maybe. It could be anyone. Any sick, twisted,child molester or rapist or serial killer! Taking a little boy off the road! My little boy! Bryce..Why? After all the hell I've been through in my life and karma takes away my child.." She broke off, sobbing quietly. Dad took her hand in his.
"It's awful to think...after all the enemies we've had, that anyone could have taken him. Bryce could be anywhere, with anyone."
They all sat in silence for a little bit, untill there was a rapping at the door. Ian, once again, flew to answer it.
It was Aunt Natalie. Dressed in designer sunglasses, and a rather drab black dress. She carried a tiny purse. Korrine suspected Natalie only used it to conceal a gun. She stepped inside and Dan groaned when he saw who it was. It doesn't matter what the occasion is. They will hate each other, no matter what.
"I called all the branch leaders, along with the police. Search parties are patroling every centimeter of Massachusetts for any trace."Natalie declared.
"Thank you , Natalie." Amy called softly.
"I want my brother back." Korrine whispered.
They sat in the akward silence until 11 at night, and Korrine drifted upstairs to sleep. She laid there on her covers, the knot in her throat growing bigger and bigger. Then the waterworks started.
Korrine couldn't help but wish she would have disappeared instead of Bryce. He was worth more than her.