Gone
Dabria woke up when the sun hit her eyes. The feeling was unusual, since her bed at Tristrams was facing away from the window, and she did not have as big windows as Thea. She didn't know what time it was, but if the sun was rising then so should she. She turned around so she laid on her back, and opened her eyes. The room was lit up by the faint yellowish light that came through the thin curtains. It smelled like Thea. A smell Dabria liked, and felt like home in. The bed they had shared was a double, so she couldn't directly feel Thea next to her. She turned to see if her sister was awake, and was surprised when she saw that she was alone. Maybe she'd gone up already.
She got up herself, and got dressed. She heard her phone chime, and unlocked it to see a picture of Flen smelling Sels breakfast sandwich. She chuckled, and sent some heart eyes emojis back. Another text showed up in the groupchat, Bree had written ' we NEED to meet him' and a lot of hearts. She took her backpack with her school supplies with her and went downstairs. She had slept at Thea's place just a few times before, and usually when her parents had been out of town. She was not sure what to expect this first day in the Syringas daily routine.
"Good morning Dabria." Almund called from the kitchen.
Dabria walked into the room and saw him sitting there with a newspaper.
"How did you know it was me?" She asked and sat down at the table.
"None of my children know how to descend the stairs without waking the neighbours." He joked and smiled at her over the edge of the paper. "Help yourself to anything you want. If you want something else there are other things in the fridge."
A pretty big breakfast spread laid before Dabria on the table. She picked up a piece of bread and began making a sandwich.
"Where is everyone?" She asked, hoping that she didn't disturb Almund.
"Dura started work early today, the boys are sleeping in and start later. Nibs usually show up just in time to take a sandwich with her on the go. Thea, I don't know. If she wasn't in her room then maybe the shower?"
Dabria thought it was odd, she hadn't heard any sound from the shower when she walked by the bathroom upstairs. She didn't think to question Almund in his own home though, he seemed to have the routine figured out.
"Do you always read the paper? Like every morning?" She asked and started to eat.
"Yes, if I'm not supposed to be at work all to early, I try to at least read the big news. And then I like the comic in the back pages." He said. "I try to stay up to date on the world around me."
"Tristram watches a lot of TV, but I don't think it's anything but braindead reality shows or some show about cars or whatever." She shared, not sure why. But the conversation was a nice start on the morning.
Almund looked at her, a look of concern in his eyes.
"I'm glad we could help you, Dabria. Truly. I hope you find yourself at home here."
"I'm sure I will. Thank you."
After having finished breakfast, Dabria did her bathroom business, and then she didn't really know what to do. The twins showed up when she sat in the hall, waiting for Thea to come down the stairs. Bavas was wet in his hair, and looked like he had just showered.
"Morning!" Jazec greeted her.
"Good morning." She answered and stood up.
She walked back upstairs, and stood in the corridor, counting the doors. There was five bedrooms. Soon six, since one of the offices was turned into an extra bedroom for her. There was one big bathroom for everyone to share. She knew that Dura and Almund had an ensuite, but she didn't think any of the others did. She went through it more than once, but came to the same conclusion. She couldn't think of anywhere for Thea to be. She went back to Theas room and opened the door. The room was still empty. She went to the bathroom, also empty. There was some fog on the mirror and she could smell shampoo for men, after Bavas shower. She was so confused. She picked up her phone and texted Thea, 'Where are you?'.
Unsure what to do next she went downstairs again. Almund happened to meet her at the bottom of the stairs.
"I can't find her." She said, a bit more blunt than she expected.
"What did you say?" Almund asked, unsure what she meant.
"Thea. I can't find Thea. She was not in the room when I woke up and she's nowhere upstairs now either."
Almund looked at her in silence.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, very."
He turned around and went to get his phone. He dialed Theas number and called her. After a few tones, he put his phone down and looked to Dabria again.
"Nothing."
Katkin and Bree sat on the bus on their way to school. They sat in the front seat, diagonally behind the driver, and had full view of the road in front of them. They talked about pets and animals, after having seen the picture of Flen. Katkin talked about how the horses made her feel very calm and in control, but also how wonderfully strong she felt galloping fast across a field. Bree listened enthusiastically and talked about how she always had wanted a pet but Irma thought they didn't have time to care for it.
Both their phones sounded at the same time. They looked down and at the same time they both saw Dabrias text. They looked at each other, confused, and both opened their phones and started typing.
Dabria: Thea's gone!
Bree: What?
Katkin: What do you mean gone?
Dabria: She's not here!
Dabria: I woke up and she was gone. No one knows where she is!
Sel: Have you checked with Amber? Maybe she went there?
Bree: In the middle of the night?
Katkin: Has happened.
Dabria: Will check, hold on…
They wait for Dabria to answer. The bus keeps driving down the mostly empty road.
"Do you think something happened to her?" Bree asked and looked up to Katkin.
"I don't know. She can take care of herself. But I don't understand where she would have gone." Katkin shrugged.
Bree looked down on her screen again.
"She's typing!"
Dabria: Checked with Amber
Katkin: And?
Dabria: And she hasn't seen her since yesterday.
Sel: They haven't talked?
Dabria: They texted yesterday but Amber says that they didn't talk about meeting up.
Bree: So where is she?
Dabria: I don't know!
Dabria: That's the problem!
Katkin: Did she maybe leave very early and left with her bike?
Dabria: Wait again. I'm going to the garage with Almund.
Sel: We'll be here
Sel had already arrived at school. He had gotten his bookstash in his locker and sat on the fire escape as usual. He had just prepared to light a smoke, when Dabria's first text arrived. It was weird. Like Katkin had stated, they had met Thea other mornings, her clearly having left home in the middle of the night. But if she hadn't been with Amber, then his guesses were as good as any. And it was even weirder that she would leave when having Dabria over. The phone vibrated in his hand, and he read the new message.
Dabria: The bike was still in the garage.
Dabria: We're taking a car and will drive by Amber's on our way. See if she's anywhere on the way.
Sel: Sounds like a plan I guess
Bree: What if something has happened to her?
Katkin: I told you, she can take care of herself.
Sel: You told her? Are you two at the same place?
Bree: We're riding the bus together.
Dabria: Much to unpack there, not right now though
Sel: Okay that's fair
Katkin: We're at school in ten minutes. Meet us out back?
Sel: I'm already outside, I'll come to the bench.
Dabria: I'll be a bit later. Going with Almund as I said
Bree: Okay see you all soon!
Sel put his phone in his pocket and picked up his lighter again. He lit his smoke and took a deep inhale. He needed to calm his thoughts. First the whole thing with Katkin, and now this. He had barely gotten over the thought of almost losing a friend. What if Bree was on the right track, what if something did happen to her. He realised that he got a bit angry at Thea, wondering why she would just disappear like that. His thoughts was interrupted by something wet on his hand. He looked down and saw Flen poke his head out of the pocket on his jacket, and licking his hand.
"Hello there little guy." He said, and scooped Flen up in his hand.
He placed him on his shoulder so that he could nestle in under his ear.
"Finally awake are we?" He stroke the kittens back with one finger. "You gotta be still and quiet today. I don't think the teachers will appreciate an extra student, no matter how cute you are."
He continued to pet Flen, and finished his smoke. He felt his nerves calm down a little. Katkin was probably right. She was fine. Thea was a mess in a lot of situations, but she could handle herself. Mostly.
All of them except Dabria met up at the benches. Sel had hid Flen in the hood on his jacket. He thought it was better to wait with introductions until everything was a bit more sorted.
"Have you heard anything else?" Bree asked him as they all sat down.
"No, nothing new since we texted." He answered and made a 'I'm sorry' face.
"She must have left by her own will right? I mean someone would have noticed if she was like kidnapped?"
"Okay, calm down a little will you? It's alright that you're worried but let's not jump to kidnapping at once." Katkin said and put a hand over Bree's.
Bree nodded and sat quietly for a moment, collecting herself. Katkin met Sel's eyes, a thousand thoughts rushing through her head.
"She's probably up to no good somewhere. Like you said, she can handle herself." Sel said, not sure if he was trying to comfort Katkin or himself.
A few minutes later, Dabria showed up.
"Almund left to go to Dura. Tell her about the situation." She said and sat down.
"How are you?" Sel asked, and started to put a hand on Dabrias shoulder.
She shrugged it off almost before it even touched her.
"Not so fine. I'm worried of course. But she also left in the middle of the night without telling me. I was right there, in the same fucking room. She must have snuck out. Where the fuck did she go?"
Sel pulled his hand back, and looked a bit reserved after Dabrias outbreak. She looked back at him, realising what she'd done.
"I'm sorry, it's not your fault." She reached out herself and put a hand on his shoulder.
She held her hand there for just a few seconds but then she quickly pulled it back.
"Ouch!" She called out and held one hand in the other.
She rubbed her finger and looked at it, only to see a little red mark.
"What the-?" She said, but interrupted herself when she saw two ears poke out behind Sels neck.
Flen climbed up back on Sel's shoulder, and licked him on the earlobe. He sat down, and looked at Dabria with mischievous eyes.
"He, surprise!" Sel said and held out his hands and smiled a forced smile.
"Did you bring him to school?" Katkin asked and held out a hand for Flen to smell.
"He's so cute!" Bree said and went around the bench to stand closer to Sel to see Flen better.
"Sorry Dabria, I hadn't planned for Thea to be gone, or for him to bite you."
"Hah, don't worry about it. I've dealt with worse. And it's not your fault that she's gone." Dabria also held out a hand to greet the cat.
They all petted Flen, and gave him compliments on his soft fur and cute ears. He clearly loved the attention, and stroke himself against their hands, and licked their fingers. Dabria's attention was drawn away as her phone chimed again. She turned around and rummaged through her pockets to find it.
Almund: Me and Dura went home. We will wait here. If she doesn't show up before second period, we will contact the police.
Dabria: Okay. Thank you for the update. Will tell you if I see or hear anything.
They all looked at her, waiting for result.
"Nothing. They'll call the cops if she doesn't show before next class."
"Speaking of. Hate to be that person, but we really need to get going." Bree said and made an awkward face.
"No you're right. We can't sit around all day. See you guys later." Sel said and picked up his bag and left.
They all said goodbye and decided to meet back here again between their next classes, to see if there was any update.