The night was bitterly cold by now; I was shivering in my thick jacket. Jack walked beside my, his coat drawn up to his neck. Worry coated the air between us, as we walked towards the police station. Doug stood out the front, waiting for us. He stood up straighter when he did finally catch sight of us and rushed towards us, with worry and forced detachment rising upon his face.
"Pacey" He sighed. That one noise was enough to push me over the edge, I did not want sympathy. I wanted one simple thing and no one seemed to be willing to aid in its completion, I wanted Joey safe and home. I shook my head at him, indicating for him not to speak another word.
Jack looked at me and then turned to Doug, "What can we do?"
Doug rubbed the back of his neck, seeming uncomfortable.
"We need to look for her," I said, stating the obvious. Or at least, what I thought was the obvious.
"We have no idea where she was, when she last spoke to you. We have nothing and Pacey, you have to consider all possibilities" Doug said softly. I was looking at him when he said this, I felt my features harden and my jaw clench.
"What possibilities, would you be referring to?" I demanded, the words coming out restricted. Doug looked at me, his features full of sympathy.
"Have you considered, she doesn't want to be found?" Doug asked.
I glared at him, with all the anger I could manage.
"What Doug means –" Jack floundered.
"I know exactly what Doug means" I snapped, "But for Gods sake, it's only been a few hours. We need to look for her"
"Exactly" Doug sighed, "It's only been a few hours, she might just be running late"
"Do not tell me you believe that" I snapped.
"Don't snap at me Pacey" Doug warned, "I'm telling you the facts"
"You know Joey" I replied, "You know she's not like this!"
"I can't do anything" Doug said, his voice was so final.
"Screw you!" I yelled, throwing my arms up in anger.
"Take him home Jack" Doug sighed and the turned to me, "I'm sorry Pacey"
Doug turned away, heading back into the station. Jack turned to me and shrugged, as if there was nothing else to do. He gently touched my arm, as if he was going to lead me home.
"Go home Jack" I said, "Just go home"
The streets were red, as I tried to swallow my blinding rage. My footsteps echoed in the night, as light blazed from the apartments. I counted to ten, and tried all those techniques people were supposed to use to calm their selves down. Nothing was working. I began to run, a slow job but slowly the pace built up into a furious run. I panted and with each stride, I poured the anger out.
When I arrived back home, I collapsed on the stairs. Heat seeped from my body, as the cold washed over me. I felt so lost and angry, but there was no doubt in my mind that Joey would not leave like this. She faced conflict head on, and refused to act like a mere coward.
There were not many things I was sure of, but Joey's actions were a certainty for me. I stood, determination clouding my mind and judgment. I thought of Joey's normal route home, and decided I would walk to the station and from there, I would retrace her possible routes. I began walking, thinking that every step I took, was a step closer to finding her, bringing her home and making her safe.