Two weeks since Mark went missing:
Roger pov:
Two weeks since the love of my life was taken from me, and so far the cops have managed to do a grand total of nothing. Collins and I told them what happened. They pulled up an address, but it was all the way back in scarsdale. They had no idea where Mark could be now, but they assured me they were doing everything they could.
Jason miller was his full name. I asked around, and apparently he hasn't been in this area at all. The only guy who had seen him was the man, and we already got all the info we could out of him. We were at a brick wall. After seeing his history from the police, which mentioned his mental disorders, I was pretty close to having a heart attack.
Mark was with a very unstable man, and judging by the fact that Jason had waited so long to finally come to New York, it made me nervous. He obviously had been planning this for quite some time. I spent the days since Mark's disappearance, wandering further and further outside the east village, screaming his name, trying to do something, anything to find him. I couldn't wait to get my hands on Jason.
On the other hand, I could be wrong entirely. I didn't SEE Jason take Mark, and who knows? maybe his story about trying to help Mark checks out. Maybe Mark was stolen from him by a different person. The over analyzation made my head hurt.
I hadn't been doing well myself, either. It got to the point where I was so worked up, I was physically sick with worry. I puked four times yesterday. Collins kept telling me to take it easy, but I wasn't having it. Not when Mark could be dead, or dying, or screaming for help, or in serious danger. "Don't lose hope" a woman at the police station had told me. For once in my life, maybe I would follow a cop's advice.
A knock on my door snapped me out of my stupor. It hit me too late. Maureen and Joanne were done putting up the fliers that Collins had given them earlier, and he had told me they were gonna come to see me. I hadn't talked to either of them since the night Mark went missing.
I stood up, rubbing my bloodshot eyes. "Come in! it's open!" I called, and the sliding of the metal door caused me to wince. I was already nursing a bad headache.
I barely had time to react before Maureen had bounded across the loft, and nearly tackled me in a hug. She stretched up on her toes, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck, and giving me a squeeze. I held her back, burying my face in her shoulder, and enjoyed the comforting contact. In that moment, I was grateful for my understanding, tactile friends.
"How are you doing, baby?" she asked me, kissing my cheek. I pulled back to look at her. I didn't realize I was crying, for her cupping the side of my face, and brushing a tear from my eye surprised me. Joanne came over to us as well.
"Scared…" I managed to explain. Joanne nodded, holding onto my other side. We broke apart, Maureen still keeping a tight grip on my arm, and leaning her head against my bicep.
"We put up as many fliers as we could… did the police have anything new to say?" asked Joanne, watching me with concern.
I shook my head.
"Roggy?" Maureen whispered. I looked down at her. "Pookie and I were thinking… do you want us to stay here with you, for the weekend? Mimi and Collins are gonna come by later, we could all stay with you…"
I sighed. Being alone seemed appealing, but on the other hand, these people were my family. Arent you supposed to have family by your side in times of trouble? or some sappy shit like that, anyway. It took me awhile, but I agreed. I needed that.
"We'll get set up." Joanne said, patting my shoulder. As the lawyer walked downstairs to get bags from their car, Maureen and I sat down on the couch. She saw I was getting upset again, so she grabbed me, and before I could protest, I was being rested down in her lap.
I didn't squirm. I closed my eyes as one of her arms wrapped around my torso, and the other was focused on stroking my hair. She must have known more than I gave her credit for. Having my hair pet calmed me down, no matter what. Maybe she was paying attention when Mark and I cuddled at parties, after all.
It occurred to me I fell asleep, because when I opened my eyes, night had fallen, and Mimi was in the loft with Collins. I yawned, and glanced up at Maureen, who had fallen asleep herself.
"Hi, Roger.." Mimi whispered shyly, having moved over to me. I looked at her, and offered a smile.
"Hey…" I sat up, and let her hug me for awhile. She soon pulled away.
"I'm so sorry…" she murmured. I shrugged.
"It's not your fault…" I whispered. All we could do at this point was wait, anyway.
The rest of the night was spent mostly relaxing. Collins brought some stoli, but I didn't want to touch any.
Everyone ended up on the couch with me. Maureen was clinging to my left side, Mimi to my right. Joanne was leaning against Collins at my feet. I blinked drowsily. How did I always end up in the center?
Somehow, I managed to untangle myself from the mess of bodies on the couch, and stumble to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face. Moving back to the kitchen, I started preparing some coffee on the hot plate absentmindedly. I winced as one of Mark's tea bags fell from the cabinet.
Before I had the time to whimper, the phone rang. I must have been on some kind of cocaine, for I practically FLEW across the damn loft to get to it. I yanked it off the receiver, hope swelling my chest Mark's okay, We found Mark, Mark's at the police station, Mark is looking for you, Mark is alive.
"Hello?" I asked, a smile on my face. Benny's voice killed most of my enthusiasm. I could tell he felt awkward, his tone lowered when he realized I was the one on the other end.
"Roger.." he murmured. I nodded, and waited for him to continue. "How is everything?"
I looked down. "Hey, Ben. It sucks. What's up?" he recognized the rush in my voice.
"Oh! um, right… I wanted to call to tell you, A friend of mine who lives up in Rhode island, apparently he knows where Jason used to live. He's gonna head to that part of town, ask a few students at Brown, and try his old address."
I nodded. That could lead us somewhere. "Thanks…" I murmured.
"It's the least I could do… I call you if I hear anything… get some rest…" I hung up the phone with another positive whisper.
Moving to the window sill, I looked out onto the frozen streets with a sigh. Wherever Mark was at this point, we were running out of time. I hoped he was alright.