I think this chapter is one of the longest so far and I'm not really sure if I like it. Also we get to see a glimpse of Mrs Benson in this chapter, which is always a fun time. Please enjoy :)
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"Sam, where's the alley?" Spencer asked as he shoved Sam in front of himself and Freddie. She nodded her head and began to lead the way. Her hands were trembling and her knees felt like jelly. Spencer squeezed his eyes shut temporarily, noticing the blonde girls pain.
They finally arrived at the alleyway and to Sam it looked far more dark and scary than it did this morning.
"I'm going to look around, you kids coming with me?" Spencer asked as he started to head off. They both nodded their heads and followed after him.
Sam felt a shudder run through her whole body as the entrance to the path disappeared. She trailed behind both of them, receiving glances from Freddie every now and then to check she was okay. She just glared back in return.
"Stop" Spencer's voice was heard and echoed around the surrounding trees.
"Why did we-" Sam began but stopped when she saw what Spencer was looking at. Carly's backpack.
"Carly's backpack" Freddie whispered.
"No chizz, you-" she once again didn't finish her sentence when she noticed that Freddie's eyes were watering and almost overflowing with tears. 'This doesn't mean anything right?' She though to herself. 'It's just her backpack" Spencer had turned around to see why she had stopped speaking and noticed the few tears that were now flowing down Freddie's face.
"Come on Freddo, it's alright" he said as he gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. Though you could tell that Spencer was trying so hard to hold himself together.
Although she had always called Freddie 'a wimp' and a 'cry-baby" she realised she had never actually seen him cry, until this point. Which made her think that something was seriously wrong and she just wasn't catching on.
She walked up to the backpack, about to touch it, when Spencer's voice sounded.
"Don't touch it Sam" he gently grabbed her hand and pulled it away. She looked at him confused as he pulled out his phone.
"I'd like to report a missing person"
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Sam felt like she had been holding her breath since then. The word 'missing person' rang through her head.
The gang had arrived back at Bushwell. Sam threw herself onto the couch her face buried in a cushion.
"I might head home" Freddie said quietly but Spencer shook his head. He knew Freddie wanted to leave to grieve on his own. But they were all grieving, so they may as well grieve together.
"No stay. It's okay. We all need each other"
"I think you should leave" Sams muffled voice came from the cushion. Freddie rolled his eyes sadly and plopped down on the couch next to Sam. Spencer took a seat in the kitchen. The room filled with silence and no one spoke for a good 10 minutes.
Freddie placed his head in his hands, the tears started to come back. His sniffs echoed around the apartment as he tried to stifle his sobs. Spencer was about to get up and comfort him but stopped when Sam's voice sounded.
"Would you quit that" Her voice was shaky and wavered as she spoke. Freddie was about to get up and leave until he remembered what Spencer said. 'We all need each other' and so instead of leaving he wiped is face, getting rid of the tears and placed a hand on Sam's back, just to show that he was there. She slapped it off as quickly as he did it and then sat up.
"Could you stop" she growled angrily. However it was clear that she was trying her hardest not to cry herself.
"Sorry. I was just trying to comfort you" he muttered sadly with slight venom in his tone.
"I don't need your pity, Benson" she spat out and folded her arms across her chest. She didn't deserve to be comforted. This was all her fault in the first place.
"Whatever" he said quietly before standing up. Sam thought he was about to leave but he grabbed the remote and switched the tv on.
"Girly Cow?" Sam asked, questioning his choice of shows.
"It's quality" he responded. The sadness on his face was slowly disappearing and replaced with a slight smile.
Suddenly the apartment door opened and Mrs Benson walked in like she owned the place.
"Spencer, can I borrow- FREDWARD BENSON, WHY AREN'T YOU AT SCHOOL?!" She screamed as soon as she noticed Freddie sitting on the couch.
"It's that little delinquent isn't it? She's forced you to skip school?" She muttered angrily, gesturing towards Sam, who just rolled her eyes.
"I can't believe-" she stopped talking and walked over to Freddie. She reached her hands towards his face and traced the tear stains on his cheeks, feeling the moisture on her fingertips. "You've been crying. Are you hurt? Has someone upset you? Freddiebear tell your mother what's wrong" she said almost hysterically.
"Carly's missing" Spencer stepped forward prying Mrs Bensons hands of Freddie's face. She turned to look at him, an unreadable expression on her face.
"Oh. Oh Spencer. I- I'm so sorry" she ushered as she placed her hands on his shoulders. Spencer's eyes turned moist and he sniffed sadly, looking towards the ground. Mrs Benson turned towards the children and smiled sympathetically, mainly at Freddie and not to the rebellious girl beside him who didn't seem very interested in her sympathy either as she stared down at the floor.
"Come on Freddie. Let's get you home." She said sadly as she patted his shoulder. However Freddie shook his head.
"No, I want to stay here"
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You'll find out what the police told Spencer in the next chapter as it adds to the plot. Hope you enjoyed :)