A/n – A thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter‼ The pointers were great – sorry for the delay with this chapter, writers block sucks.
Chapter 24: The White Knight
(Ian's POV)
I had pulled up into a space in the parking lot about half an hour ago, just as the bell rang for the end of the day…I know Wanda would call me crazy if she spotted me early but I didn't mind, I just wanted to be here – I had a feeling Burns would try something and I need to be close by.
I read the sports section of a local paper for a while in my truck, looking over at my phone on the dash every few seconds hoping Wanda would call and tell me she was ready. Students were still milling around after the bell – probably waiting for rides home. I tried to keep my head down so I wouldn't have to explain what I'm doing here; I probably already looked weird, sitting alone in the deserted parking lot of a high-school.
After I had read through the whole paper, cover to cover, I glanced at the clock on my cell and realised it was 5pm…Wanda should have been finished 30 minutes ago.
I looked around and didn't notice any extra students walking around…maybe I just missed them? I did have my head down I guess.
I can't just sit here anymore…
I wandered around the school after telling the security guy what I was doing here…he seemed a little concerned but let me in anyway. She had science tonight right? Or was it yearbook? I grabbed my phone back out of my pocket and punched in Wanda's number…why I hadn't done this sooner I don't know.
*…Please leave your message after the beep*
I didn't leave a message...maybe it was just in her locker or bag; I know you're not supposed to have it on at school anyway.
After 10 minutes of looking in empty classrooms I called Jared…maybe he could ask Mel if she knows where she would be…
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Panic.
That's all I can do right now.
Mel said she'd most likely be in her home-room class or in the library…I checked both and came across a group, in the library, just about to leave. The teacher said Wanda never showed up.
Panic.
I called and called Wanda's cell but it was no good, it just kept on ringing out. Jared was less than useless, all he could say was 'calm down man, she'll turn up.'
They don't understand…no one understands what he's like.
I practically sprinted to my truck, the tires squealing as I pulled out of the parking lot. Kyle. Kyle knows how he was back then…he can help. Kyle can help her. Help me find her.
I struggled to jam the key into the front door, my hands were shaking like crazy, and I can barely even remember driving here.
I flew through the house, banging open every door until I found him in the kitchen.
'Dude, what the hell?'
'He's got her. He's got Wanda. Help me.'
'Calm dow-'
'DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN KYLE. HE HAS HER. WE NEED TO FIND THEM. GOD KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE.'
'Jeez. Just sit down for a sec...' He pulled out a chair to make his instruction clear, 'When's the last time someone saw her?' I sat on the offered stool, only in fear that my legs might give out if I have to think about this much longer.
'I don't know…'
'And when the last time someone saw him?'
'…I-I don't know.'
'hmm..well…that's not much to go on man. How do you know he's got her? Bit of a leap don't you think?'
'…No. It's not. You know what he's like Kyle. He threatened Mel to get her to like him, clearly that wasn't enough, he's just taken her himself. Cut out the middle man.' I put my face in my hands…I wanted to cry, I wanted to shout from the rooftop…I want to find Wanda.
'Well…where do you think they would have gone? Have you tried Wanda's house? His house?'
'…No, I hoped you'd help me.' I was mumbling through my hands, I knew my eyes would be red if I looked up at him; I didn't want Kyle to see me this affected by Bernard after all these years.
'Sure…lets go, the sooner we find 'em the sooner this is over.'
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We spoke to Mel's parents, who hadn't seen Wanda at all.
We spoke to Bernard's parents, who hadn't seen him after school yet, but that this isn't unusual apparently…
Kyle drove while I panicked in the passenger seat, every now and again he'd tell me reassuring things like 'We'll find them' and 'don't worry'. Neither worked at calming me down.
I've seen enough news reports to know that the first few hours of a kidnapping are the most crucial…please please please let us find them.
Kyle even tried calling the local station, but they weren't interested, 'If they're not back in 24 hours, then call us.' Idiots.
I tapped my fingers on the edge of the car seat…I couldn't stop imagining her tied up and drugged, or being forced to do something she didn't want to do…or face-down in a ditch somewhere.
God, I need to stop thinking about this, we'll find them. We'll find them.
We drove through every single street and back-road in town, still nothing. We didn't see anything strange or out of place, we couldn't even find his car anywhere.
'I hate to say it bro, but we're not going to find them tonight. It's already getting dark, let's call it a night.' But I can't just give up…
'You go back, I'll walk home.'
'I don't think you should…let's just go back and look in the morning.'
I had the door open before he could finish his protest, 'Just go home Kyle.' I slammed the door harder than I should have, but how could he be so stupid!? We need to find them tonight! By tomorrow they could be halfway across the country‼
Kyle stayed there for a while, the car's headlights shining the back of my legs while I walked away, causing long disturbing shadows in front of me.
It wasn't until I turned a corner did I hear the click of the car being put into gear and the hum of its engine as Kyle drove back home.
I feel better to be out, walking around. It makes me feel like I'm actually doing something, not just sitting still in a car. Plus now I can really get into all the back alley ways instead of just peering down them.
As the sky gradually grew darker as I shuffled about, cinching in my sweatshirt as the temperature dropped. At least I actually thought to put my jacket on before we left…
My breath came out as smoke in front of me as I walked the backstreet's of town for a while. But again, nothing was unusual…nothing out of the ordinary, typical small-town evening.
I'm not giving up. I won't give up. Wanda, Wanda, Wanda.
I chanted in my head to keep me motivated, I had been walking for a while now…all night really. I only knew because the sky was slightly lighter than it was when I left Kyle.
I looked around the green…although it was mostly just black and grey in the moonlight. The tall grass swayed around me…I could no longer take walking through town, I decided to come here. The one place Wanda and I were together, happy, and alone. It was the first time I really thought we could work…I saw a future with her. I still see a future with her.
I kicked the ground as I thought of her laughing, her blues eyes shining in the sun, her pale delicate hands running through the grass.
I sat there for a while. On top of our hill. Watching the horizon for the first glimpses of the sun. I sat and I thought, about everything. Me. Her. Him.
I'm smarter than him. I know his game plan. I can beat him.
(A/n – sorry for any mistakes, this hasn't been proof-read. Let me know if you liked a chapter fully in Ian's POV!)