So Long Ago

Ch.9- Gone

One month later

Sara sat outside in the chilly February breeze, waiting for the bell to ring. She shivered in the light windbreaker she brought. Normally she wasn't outside, but Mrs. Lamont was out with a cold.

"Hey Sara." Sara turned to see Katie behind her. She two only had a light coat.

"Hey." Sara noticed Ryan wasn't with Katie. "Where's Ryan?"

"Umm, well, I dunno Sara. Something's wrong with him." She replied unsure.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's like one day everything's fine, and the next… he changed. He started hanging out with a group of kids that are nothing like him. I think they're having a bad influence on him."

Sara thought about this. "Go on."

"Well, a couple of days ago, he asked the Garcia's if he could move to the spare bedroom. Sara, he isn't even interested in his bugs anymore."

"What?" When Ryan got with his bugs, there was no stopping them.

"I'm worried about him." Katie said sadly. "We used to do everything together. Now he won't be seen with me."

"Katie, maybe…he just needs his space." Sara reasoned. "Like you said, you guys are inseparable. Maybe he needs a chance to do something alone, grow up. Have you talked to him about it?"

"He said that…the guys he's hanging out with now are cooler. Since when has he cared about being cool? I bet those guys are using him for something."

"Who is it?" Sara asked.

"Matt and his pack of rats." Katie replied frostily. Matt and his 'pack of rats' were the school dummies and thugs. Sara knew now that they weren't interested in Ryan, maybe just his smarts. Sara couldn't believe that Ryan could be so thick.

"After school, we'll both talk to him." Sara declared.

"Um, actually, he has an eye doctors appointment after school. He's getting glasses. Tomorrow afternoon."

"No can do." Sara said quietly. Katie looked at Sara, waiting for her to explain.

"Because…" Katie prompted her.

"Because, I have to go to my mom's hearing." She spat out quickly. She wasn't sure what to expect. She was terrified that her mom would be sent to jail, but at the same time, she was angry, and wished she would go away.

"Sorry," Katie mumbled. Sara brushed it away.

"Don't worry about it. I'll be fine." Sara told this, but didn't believe it.

Katie looked grittily at Sara. "I'll be there with you."

"No, Katie it's okay." Sara wanted company, but didn't want Katie to see her in a whirl of emotions.

"I'll be there." She repeated. "And so will Ryan. I don't care if he's being difficult. We're your friends, and we're coming for you."

Before Sara could rebut the statement, the bell rang, and Katie swiped up her things and pulled Sara to class.

Garcia residence

"Ryan!" Katie screamed as she slammed the door behind her as she entered the house. "Ryan Hammond, you-"

"Katie, no yelling." Mr. Garcia turned the corner looking at her. "What on earth is wrong?"

"Where's Ryan?" She asked hurriedly. She needed to catch him before he left.

"I don't know. He better get here soon though. We need to leave." He glanced at his watch as he said this.

An hour later, there was still no sign of Ryan. Now, worry replaced anger inside of Katie. She paced the length of her room. Millions of questions popped into her head. Where was he? How is he? How could he be so stupid? She was almost positive it had something to do with the new crowd he'd been hanging with.

Two hours later, Katie walked back into the living room. Mrs. Garcia was sitting fidgeting on the couch, glancing at the clock every three seconds. Mr. Garcia walked in from the kitchen.

"I called the police. They're on they're way. I sent the others to they're friends house. I don't need them to know all this. Katie maybe…"

"No." She answered. She was not leaving.

Group Home

Sara had just finished eating dinner when Fred, one of the workers approached her.

"Telephone Sara. You can take the call in your room."

"Thanks." Sara made her way down the long hallway. Luckily, her room was one of the few that was equipped with a phone.

"Hello?" She answered the phone as soon as she shut the door.

"Sara, it's Katie." She sounded worried.

"Katie what's wrong?"

"Ryan never made it home."

"What? Oh, god, this isn't good."

"The police are on they're way."

Sara mentally cursed Ryan for being so stupid, but right now she just wanted him to be okay.

"Call me back as soon as anything happens."

"All right, bye." Katie hung up.

"Bye." Sara whispered, setting the phone down.

"What is it?" Sara jumped. She didn't notice anyone enter the room. She turned around to face Cindy.

"Jeez, you scarred me."

"You know, for a future scientist, you sure have bad observation." Cindy replied slyly. Sara looked at her confused. She nodded over to Sara's half finished career fair board. Sara had settled on doing a forensic scientist.

"What was that?" Cindy asked.

"What?"

"Your phone call." Sara considered telling her that it was none of her business, but the words came out anyway.

"Ryan's missing." Sara said. She had talked about Ryan and Katie occasionally.

"Hmm. So, what are you still doing here?" Cindy asked.

"What do you mean?" Sara was lost. Cindy moved closer to Sara.

"Listen. Your friend is out there, probably in trouble. His sister, your best friend is waiting in pain for him. Why are you still here?" She asked again. Sara gave her a small smile.

"Cover for me." Sara called as she opened their door.

"You know I will." She called back.