June 2000
Shelby shuddered against the cool night air as she stared up at the stars falling in the sky. All around her, friends and couples were cuddled together, making a memory of a wonderful night. Even Peter, who had ruled no dates were allowed, had abandoned formalities and was snuggled close to Sophie. As the stars fell around her, Shelby wondered where her place was in the world. No one had ever looked at her like Scott did. She had never before loved someone or been loved so completely. And just like that, he had left her behind.
A strong wind blew up behind her and she shuddered again. For minute, she thought she heard footsteps approaching. She turned around quickly, but it was only the wind. She wrapped her arms around herself and wished that Scott was there to keep her warm.
May 2009
Shelby shook herself back to reality as her phone rang. It had been ringing off the hook all day. She swiftly pushed ignore and sent the call to voicemail. She hated her job. Hated everything about it. Some nights she could hear the damn phone ringing even in her sleep. But her job as a marketing rep required a lot phone calls. And just because she didn't like it, didn't mean she didn't succeed. She was good at her job – she could sweet talk and manipulate with the best of them, and it showed. Her office wall was littered with all of the awards and honors she had earned over the last two years. She was successful, no matter how much she hated what she did. And while she didn't care much about the success, the job paid well, and Shelby found that she didn't have to think too much about it. At the end of the day, she could walk away from it and not give it a second thought until she found herself back in the office the next day. It allowed a lot of free time for other things - like her mending relationship with her sister. Jess was doing well, thanks in part to her time spent at Horizon. She was graduating from college with honors in just a few short weeks. Shelby was proud of how much progress Jess had made in the last few years. She couldn't wait to be there as Jess walked across the stage to receive her degree in Education.
Her business cell phone chirped, and Shelby jumped to answer it. She couldn't avoid work all day. "Collins and Hayes Manufacturing, Shelby speaking."
"Shelby, it's Peter."
Shelby's whole body relaxed as she realized she didn't have to go into her "professional" mode just yet. "What's up Captain? I thought you and Sophie were taking another group of unsuspecting kids out on Quest this week." Shelby was lighthearted, but when Peter hesitated, she immediately sensed the tension. "Peter? What's wrong? What happened?"
Peter, thousands of miles away, could hear the panic in Shelby's voice. "I'm not quite sure how to tell you this Shelb."
"Then just tell me, Peter." She had never been one to beat around the bush.
Peter sighed. "It's Ezra."
"Ezra?" Shelby was taken aback. "What about him? Peter, I haven't spoken to him in years. What's so important?" She could never have prepared herself for Peter's response.
"He's dead, Shelb. Overdosed on pain pills two days ago."
"Oh my God Peter! How, I mean, what -" Her mind was racing. "Does Daisy know?" Shelby was already packing up her belongings. She knew she had to get to her friend.
"I don't think so. That's why I called you first. I was hoping you could head over there, be there for her."
Shelby was already halfway to her car. "I'm already on my way Peter."
Peter nodded, knowing that Shelby couldn't see him. "I knew you would be. We're planning a memorial service here at Horizon on Saturday. I'm hoping all of the Cliffhangers will be here."
Shelby eased her car into reverse and headed out onto the freeway towards Daisy's place. "We'll be there Peter. Let me know if you need anything."
"You do the same."
As they hung up, Shelby's mind was racing. Though they lived only a few hours apart, it had been months since she and Daisy had spoken. They kept in touch as often as they could, but sometimes, life just got the better of them. Shelby hoped, for Daisy's sake, that she would be the one to break the news. The last thing Daisy needed right now was to be alone. She had dealt with enough from David's breakdown. Shelby wasn't sure Daisy could handle losing another person in her life.
As the miles passed, Shelby remembered all of the grief she had given Ezra over the years. He had been a mess when he left Horizon. Both times. She couldn't believe any judge in the world would have ordered joint custody. But as Shelby knew all too well, the world was hardly ever fair. It wasn't long after Scott had left that Ezra had left too. The judge had ruled for joint custody and both parents had been anxious to have him home. It was less than four months later that he returned - strung out, depressed and recovering from a failed suicide attempt. He never opened up much to the others about what had happened while he was gone, other than to say that his parents would never change. One thing Shelby knew for sure, he was different when he returned. He had lost some of his spirit as Daisy had said. It seemed he rode out his time at Horizon. He graduated with the rest of them, and Shelby had never heard from him again. He was a mess when he left, and Shelby knew that Peter had tried his best to reach out to him with no luck. Ezra was destined to be one of the lost.