Finding Jessie
Destination: Quest Compound, Maine
A few hours later, Jonny lay sprawled on the large sofa in the Hall, running his hands through his tousled hair as Bandit slept idly next to him. The rain was pouring like crazy in Maine just like in Manhattan, and the glass windowpanes tinkled like crystals from the downpour. Jessie and Estelle's flight would be leaving in a few hours, and then finally they'd all be home together. Jonny looked across the room seeing Dr. Quest and Hadji playing chess, something they had done since Hadji was a little boy. Race was pacing near the windows, talking loudly over his cell phone to Estella.
"Slow down, slow down Estella," Race said loudly, "You're breaking up. What did you say?"
Jonny, Dr. Quest, and Hadji looked up.
Race was silent for a few minutes, his back turned to them. "What?" Race's voice was hoarse. "Estella, you're not sure? How – when – when did she go missing?"
Jonny sat up straight, worried that Jessie had gone on one of her 'adventures' again without telling Estella. Typical Jess, Jonny thought with a laugh to himself. He and Jessie were more alike than he'd have liked to admit.
Race turned away from the window, his face was white, and they had never seen him like that before. "It couldn't have been her! There are so many girls that look like Jessie."
Jonny scoffed unconsciously.
"- So, you saw – you're sure – it's Jessie?" Race asked over the phone, and his voice was shaking. Dr. Quest got up to his feet, scattering the chess pieces to the ground. He strode to Race, who suddenly dropped the cell phone to the ground, sending it crashing into pieces.
Race lowered his head, and his shoulders shook with unshed tears. "It's Jessie," He said, and his voice sounded tight. Race looked up at Dr. Quest, and his eyes were bloodshot. "Jessie's – she's gone. Estella just came back from the morgue. – She's sure it was – it was her body -"
Race leaned against the wall, lowering his head again, as he wept covering his eyes with his hands as if he felt to blame.
Hadji got up and walked over to the Dr. Quest and Race, reaching out a hand to calm Race. Suddenly, all three men turned around at a sudden noise as the front door slammed shut.
Jonny was gone.
