A/N: Hey! Sorry this chapter took a little longer than what most people were used to. I was struggling to write it a bit since it's a new perspective I'm not used to writing. But sadly (or happily for some people) this is the only chapter in Virginia's POV! I've also never really wrote much older characters before in their perspective. Such as an actual mother. It's mainly teenagers/young adults. So if this chapter seems choppy or even rushed in parts I am sorry. But hey! Shit is picking up and we officially got Virginia part of the story... but not for long. I hope you enjoy regardless! :)

April 13th, 1973

9:00am

Newt, Texas

Song recommendation: "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas & The Papas

The Search of Jesse Crampton

Virginia

-.-

It's been two years, six months, and fifteen days since I last saw my son. Two years since Jesse's warm and welcoming smile walked off our front porch, saying he was going to meet his father down in Texas, before disappearing forever. The police within the surrounding area couldn't find him and decided that his case was cold. My son was never found, his car was never found. His entire existence vanished within a few short days.

I was a single mother throughout Jesse's young life due to his father abandoning us. At just twenty-one, I had the sweetest boy in the whole world. If it wasn't for my own parents helping us out, I don't know how else our life would've ended up. I met Jesse's father while I was fresh into my nursing career - taking care of soldiers who had just returned from the Korean War. Robert had served and was severely injured; his ribs and legs both broken. Since I was freshly eighteen at the time of meeting him, I was mainly doing it out of volunteer work and more experience to help within my nursing career. I knew quite a bit due to my own mother being a nurse all her life - aspiring to be just as helpful as her. Robert was one patient I was expected to take care of. But, he had a keen eye on me. Talking sweetly to me everyday and promising I would become his wife. I would humor him, saying he must've hit his head within the war, but he was determined. Eventually, one pity date turned into a full romance and I became pregnant with Jesse.

Robert immediately disapproved. He didn't want to become a father at twenty-three while I was just a few years shy of him. I didn't want to put my nursing studies on hold - yet I did for the love of my upcoming son and fiancé at the time. Robert decided to leave two months before Jesse was born - putting the entire weight of a new mother and full time nursing student on my shoulders. Throughout Jesse's life, he had tried to come back around. Tried to apologize and win me back after abandoning the both of us. But I made sure my Jesse wasn't going to become the selfish man he was. I chose to raise Jesse alone, with the help of my own parents, until he was eighteen. From a young age, I didn't hide his father away from him. I told Jesse everything about Robert - the good and bad. When he became an adult, he said he needed time to think before deciding to reach out to Robert. I trusted him and would back up whatever decision he would've made - and been there anyway he needed me. I wasn't going to abandon him like his father did to us years ago.

So Jesse decided to see his father. A week shy of his nineteenth birthday, Jesse told Robert they could meet in Texas - as we were living in Arkansas at the time. Robert was supposedly ecstatic and ready to finally have his son back in his life. Despite the pain from almost nineteen years prior feeling fresh still, I trusted and loved Jesse. I trusted he could go alone. I trusted Robert to not abandon or hurt him like he did years prior. I trusted everyone.

But then Jesse went missing - two hours shy of his destination to Robert's house - and hasn't been home since.

After a day of not hearing from Jesse, I decided to call Robert. It was the first civil talk we had in years. I asked if Jesse had made it and Robert sounded shocked and worried - explaining Jesse never showed up. He figured Jesse got cold feet and turned back around to go home. I informed Jesse wasn't home yet and he hadn't contacted me. That's when it clicked that my son was missing - nobody knew his whereabouts. He vanished within a blink of an eye. Without a warning, without a note, without a trace. I thought it was maybe me all these years; maybe being too protective and loving of him. But I was a single parent his entire life - doing what I could to make up for the love and protectiveness a father should have. Then the one moment where he wasn't in my sight, he vanished forever. When he hesitatingly asked if I should've joined him, I knew I should've. But I could sense he was tired of me getting into his personal life; I knew my little boy needed to spread his wings. So, I let him go with the only expectation that he writes or calls me when he can to make sure he's okay. To give him a breath of a fresh new life - a new freedom.

But that quickly backfired.

I moved to Newt, Texas around six months after Jesse was reported missing. I needed to be closer to where he was last seen so I would maybe have the chance to find him. I needed to see what he last saw - trying to make sense of where he could be. But every time I walk around in this town - or see the college students partying - it makes me bitter. Everyone moved on as I stayed there, in that little house in Arkansas, shock and grief striking me after realizing my son wasn't coming back anytime soon. But I never gave up hope. I promised to never abandon him - and I haven't yet. I tried to keep up with my nursing career but was let go due to accidentally missing work to travel around the state and ask questions. I've trespassed onto abandoned properties in hopes to find any type of trace of him. Hell, I was even arrested once due to it. But that didn't stop me.

Nothing will stop me until my dying breath.

So, that's what I was doing - just driving in the countryside, trying to find something that would stick out that wasn't normal to me such as an abandoned house or even an old car. I was searching the normal area's that seemed sketchy - such as the abandoned mill that hasn't been touched since before moving here. It shut down several years, maybe even decades, ago and nobody has touched it. I've tried to search for Jesse through it but it looks like it could fall apart at any second. It doesn't help that it's by Devil's River where the folklore stories are located - damn teenagers sneaking off to do God only knows what at that place. It has such an eerie vibe - such as the third story window being broken and a few stories down had old blood stained wooden boards. It's super faint but enough to notice. I just hoped Jesse or nobody else got severely hurt - or even killed - by that window.

I was running low on gas and decided to stop at the local gas station outside of town. An older man and his family run the place. Drayton, I believe his name was, is the main runner. He's the one who pumps your gas, checks you out, and refills the tanks when the trucker arrives. Johnny was his oldest son or maybe nephew, I didn't know fully, but he helps out once in a while - which I can tell he doesn't want to. Johnny is only fifteen years younger than me but still has the... manly desires... of a teenage boy. I only know all of this because Drayton likes to vent a lot. They seem like nice folks - just a rocky dynamic between the two. I've seen a few others but not enough to fully know their names and personalities. I only come to this gas station once every month or so.

I pulled into the crippling gas station on the side of the road before parking my car at one of the pumps. Sure enough, Drayton came out with a large smile on his wrinkly face. I'm not one to try and judge, but he has a large and creepy smile at times. Maybe it's because they don't get many customers? I'm not sure. But every time he shuffles out, making his way to me, I can't help but get a chill down my spine when he approaches. But, their gas and food are cheap. They run a slaughterhouse too and their prices have always been the cheapest within the county at least. I'm surprised they don't have more attraction - but I hardly see them advertise in the papers either. They could fix up their gas station and live more comfortably if they did. But, I'm not one to judge. Maybe Johnny is stubborn and doesn't want to rebuild the shack, maybe Drayton likes the "run in" look, maybe they both want to but can't afford it. It's not my place to know unless they decide to tell me.

"Ms. Crampton!" Drayton greeted me like he has off and on the past few years. I took my sunglasses off as I stared up at him, peeking through my rolled down window. Drayton leaned on the car as he poked his head in slightly, "What brings you back so soon?"

I had gassed up here about a week before. But I was free from my job at the local diner for almost a week. So, I figured I'd travel around Texas a bit and see if I could find Jesse a bit more. I was about to leave - having my suitcase in the very back - the missing poster I made for Jesse taped above on the window. I haven't gotten much leads since when he disappeared. A few police officers informed me that the last time someone said they saw him was an hour outside of Austin, getting fuel, a sandwich, and soda before hitting the road once more. It was the clerk who checked him out who said something.

"I'm leaving for almost a week." I told him before putting my sunglasses in the passenger seat of my car. "Got some paid time off and just... continuing to look."

Drayton was no stranger to me - at least completely. I knew about Johnny and Johnny's mother a tiny bit. I don't know if she and Drayton are married, cousins, or siblings. But Drayton knew about Jesse - questioning the missing persons poster on the back of my car by the fourth time I've gotten service from them. That's when I told Drayton about Jesse, his father, the trip, and how he went missing. The time I told him, he seemed sad but also... worried. But not worried for me. His gaze drifted - floating elsewhere - almost lost in his own thoughts and worries.

"Where ya goin'?" He asked, his brows knitting together as he became curious.

"Just near his father." I informed Drayton. All my family was back in Arkansas, almost eight hours away, so I didn't have anyone close by. I also didn't have many close friends in Texas either - fearing one of them could be the one who took my son. Drayton was the closest to a friend I had here but even then, I rarely see and talk to him. "I think I saw some old junkyards on the way back from visiting Robert a few months ago. I might go have a look around and ask if anyone owns the place."

Drayton nodded, "Better to be safe."

I nodded with a sigh, "It's just been two years, I thought I'd find something by now."

"With time and patience reveals the truth, that's all." Drayton's blood stained fingertips tapped the side of my car - probably handling the barbeque they slaughter and cook themselves, "Nothin' more to it."

I swallowed hard before Drayton gave a small smile, trying to reassure me. Despite him having an off vibe about him at times, it felt nice to know someone cared. Normally when I ask around town, people give me pity smiles and they'll be on the lookout. But I know what happens. My flyer goes in the trash as they carry on their day - and rest of their lives - forgetting my son's name. But I promised him. Even if people want to forget him, I never will. My boy will live on no matter where he is. Drayton filled up my gas tank before I paid him - giving a tiny tip in the process. He's always nice and I hope he and Johnny will be able to fix up this place. They deserve a better life.

As I pulled away from the old station, I turned on the radio. The morning highlights were coming on. Today's date and weather conditions were discussed before today's topics - such as the current wars going on and how President Kennedy plans to handle them. He's such a handsome young man. Such a gorgeous smile that could lead our country for years. Plus his wife, Jackie, is an angel who dresses beautifully. I really hope they come around Texas soon, I would love to personally meet him - and ask him some questions about our country's safety and law enforcement. Such as how he plans to help the missing and homeless people within the country. Maybe he has some nice plans in that massive brain of his to help me out - or even the others being reported. I trust and love President Kennedy. So much so - that despite him being a few years older than me - I hope something bad happens to him. Maybe that's just my paranoia talking - I just love everything he stands for and plan to reelect him when he runs again.

But sure enough, those dreadful announcements started to roll in. Sadly, they don't mention Jesse's name anymore. It's events that have happened within the last few months or updates on previous cases. Jesse hasn't had any updates at all - so he was mentioned for a few months before going cold. A cold case - as most would say. Too many of those are happening these days. I'm not sure if it's because they're actually having a dead end or maybe the police don't want to do their jobs. Either way, it saddens me. Especially for the parents of the teenage and college students - I know exactly how they feel right now.

"The search continues for a missing University of Texas student. Maria Flores, age twenty-one, was last seen near the town of Newt. Her vehicle was discovered abandoned with officials reporting no signs of foul play. Family and friends are urging anyone with information regarding her disappearance to please come forward." The man on the radio reported once more. Every morning when I turn on the radio, I hear her name. I've seen her poster a few times too. I have one saved and it's placed on my little dining table at home - making sure I took it home unlike the ones who disregarded Jesse's poster. It's what I would want - as I'm sure her own family and friends do too. Once her announcement was announced, a song began to roll out through my car's speakers. It's one Jesse used to love when he was around thirteen. I bought him a cassette where it had the song, along with his own little radio, where he would blast it every single day. I don't know what he liked so much about it, but it plays often here in Newt. A little too often. Everyday I feel like it plays at least once - giving me hope that maybe he's nearby - silently showing me that he's alive and happy - just needing space... for the last two years.

With the lump forming in my throat, I slowly turned the dial up. The sound of a duet between men and women filling the air as the chorus fills the space around me;

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)

Maybe he was leading me somewhere? Maybe me heading back towards his father was a good call? I don't know. Part of me feels hopeful each time the song comes on. But, another part of me feels dread. What if he's not in Texas anymore? What if he got stuck and wasn't found? What if he died? It's hard to not think about it. I love my sweet boy. I try to not let the darker thoughts consume me - but they intrude their way back regardless - causing my anxiety and paranoia to activate. I lost the amount of times I've cried myself to sleep - just howling his name while clenching one of his shirts that barely smell like him anymore. I would never wish this loss - this wander of "what if" - on anymore. The song hurts - the lyrics mocking me - almost telling me he's somewhere that isn't here. But I just have to remember; it's just a song he's liked since he was a young boy - nothing more or less.

As I continued to drive, I noticed a long driveway that went off from the main road. I've been all over Newt and the surrounding towns, but never down this road. Maybe a quick and nosey detour wouldn't hurt. If it leads to a dead end, I can always turn around and go back to where I came from. It hasn't been the first time or last. A wandering and curious traveler - as some may call me. But I see myself as a determined mother who wants her boy back no matter the cost. As I carried down the long dirt pathway, I noticed a bunch of purple and blue flowers coating the sides - such as the bluebonnets - which is Texas' state flower. The flowers were almost overcrowding the makeshift driveway as I continued the winding path. Such a beautiful sight to see! The hills, flowers, and tree's amongst the beautiful blue sky was something you almost had to stop and fully admire. Hell, I wish I kept that camera Jesse got me a few years back. I sold it with the house in Arkansas. But I would kill to take a photo like this - especially the rolling hills that were littered with the native flowers.

Upon driving down the path, I noticed a little shack of some sort. It was severely out of shape - being held up together with scrap metal and wood - clinging on for dear life. I pulled up to the side of it before getting out and grabbing my binoculars. Sometimes, I like to scout places out from a distance. Ever since my arrest months ago, I've been a little bit more cautious. Making sure the place doesn't have any police, guards, or angry homeowners before making my presence known. If I have a weird gut feeling - I'll poke around quietly and quickly. I don't search as hard as I used to out of fear. If I'm locked up then who would look for Jesse?! But it's also a risk I'm willing to take in order to receive answers. I stood up on my tip toes as I used to peek inside the little shack. Inside was just some very rusted gardening tools, an old tractor, and bear traps. Most of it was dusty and rusted - showing the neglect of the once beloved items. Nothing seemed abnormal. I turned and saw the back of a farmhouse with an active metal windmill - the creaking of the metal piercing my ears as it provided the house with electricity.

Such a cute little farm house - I pass by it often but didn't know they had a back entrance. The front seemed nice and homey, inviting almost. But the back looks like an actual graveyard full of cars - waiting for the day to be cleaned up and ridden again. But the back of the house's yard looked so unkept. The grass was almost as tall as some cars, the surrounding barns and other infrastructures were held on by loose thread and rusty nails. It reminded me a lot of the condition of Drayton's little gas station earlier. Something about it all seemed... eerie. Not an area you want to stumble across at night. Leaning against the opened door of my car, I continued to use my binoculars as I searched around on the property. Around the property and around the path was a completely handmade fence made of wood, metal, and barbed wire. Damn, they really didn't want anyone coming or leaving the property. A bunch of old and rusted cars surrounded the property - mainly from several years ago. The cars ranged from anywhere the last few years to thirty years ago - recognizing a truck model that my father used to have when I was a little girl. But, unlike these folks, my dad kept up with our cars. These people couldn't care less about them - letting nature claim them instead.

As I searched around - my eyes found the back gate. On the ground was a cattle grid that was electrified - being powered by something. Huh, that's weird. I don't see any farm animals roaming around. Then again, the large barn on the side could maybe hold some. Maybe there is another section where they're being held that I'm not seeing? Either way, it seems a little weird to put one here when the area is a bunch of old cars - a car enthusiast's worst or best dream come true. Suddenly, my scanning stopped as I did another double take to one of the cars. The car was being hooked up to a bunch of wires - that connected back to the fence and cattle grid. I didn't mind that. But it was the model that caught my attention. I did a double take - quickly looking at it, then away, and back again - before zooming in on the Arkansas license plate. My breath got caught in my throat as the color drained from my face.

It was Jesse's car!

What the hell?!

I immediately dropped the binoculars as I left my car completely unattended, running over to the electrocuted and barbed wire fence. Tears sprung into my eyes as so many emotions flooded me. Two years. Two damn years and his car was right here! Why the hell do they have my son's car? Where is my boy?! Next to the fence were a few wooden barrels. I quickly climbed on top of them before jumping over the fence - not caring if I was trespassing anymore or not. These people can do whatever they desire to me - lock me up or something - but not without answering where my Jesse was. I needed him to be okay! I needed him safe. However, if his car was this close to me, how come I've never ran into him? I rushed over to the car and began to search around. In the back of the trunk was stuff I knew wouldn't be his; a huge and old gas can, a fake prosthetic leg, old boxes, trash, and some god awful smell that made me almost gag right then and there. The hood of his car was open - exposing the battery - that was being drained to fuel the large property fence.

Creaking the passenger side door open, I sat down in the car seat. I remembered how excited he was to receive this car for his sixteenth birthday. It wasn't the newest or best car on the market - but he was grateful for everything he got. He showed this car off to all of his friends, went on his first date with it, and his weekend job at the local cafe in our small town. He loved cars more than anything else. Yet, here it was, rotting in some stranger's backyard.

I opened up the glovebox and began to rummage through it. It was almost untouched. Some of the important documents stating he owned the car, his little first aid-kit (which was now almost fully used), some old napkins, and family photos. I grabbed one - the same one of us from a year prior to his disappearance. My mother had snapped the picture of us. Jesse and I were in our backyard, sitting on our wooden porch swing, hugging each other. His arm was wrapped around my neck as he had a large smile on his face - his other hand throwing up the peace sign. I was laughing as I was leaning towards him, my legs crossed, throwing up a matching peace sign as my other hand held a glass of sweet tea. It was right before his father contacted him. Right before he began to doubt and wonder about his own life and future. Before hell broke loose to this chaos.

Anger began to slowly boil inside me. He or whoever these people had my son's car here and I want to know why! Why he never made it to his fathers. Why he never returned back home. Why it's been two years and it's been radio silent about his case. Why for the last year and a half his car was right under my nose and it took me this long to realize it.

I made my way through the back of the property - passing by the run down shacks and makeshift horse stalls. The entire property was cluttered in trash, cars, and spare parts. A car mechanic's wonderland. As I inched my way closer to a small sunflower field, I began to hear something. It wasn't the rusty metal windmill turning or the electricity buzzing around - but it was humming. Almost like - no! It was a voice. I followed the light humming before stumbling across someone. Judging by the dress and body build of the person, I could tell it was a younger woman. She wore a knee length black dress with little white buttons or pearls - no sleeves but her shoulders were covered. Her strawberry blonde hair was tied nicely into a tight bun as her feet were bare - dirt on the bottom of them - not caring about being one with nature. She was rearranging a few sunflowers that had been crushed by something or even someone.

"Hey!" I called out.

The young woman let out a startled gasp as she turned and looked at me. Dirt covered her hands as she looked up at me - quickly standing up. Before she or I could speak another word, the young woman ran off. She rushed through the sunflowers before going up the back porch of the farmhouse and into a sunroom. My eyes widened as I ran through her recently put together flowers - crushing the newer ones she just fixed. I found a little hole in the fence, the same one I assumed she crawled through, and followed after her. I pushed through the large and swaying flowers - some snapping back and hitting my body in the process. Why the hell is she running?! I jogged around the back of the house before approaching the same door she did a few seconds prior. The blue wooden door creaked open as I entered the sun room. It was... uniquely decorated. I couldn't see the interior thanks to the dirty windows that have been neglected a wash in ages. But now that I was inside the room, it was somehow more disgusting than the outside. From the ceiling held mini hooks, the ceiling itself was chipped and rotted wood, the walls were chipped of paint, a few animal hides hung from the ceiling too. As for the furniture; I saw a white freezer that had a stench coming from inside, some barrels, a few wooden tables, a wooden shelf with a bunch of random items on it, and a few walls having a bear trap and animal skulls.

Was the woman a hunter? Maybe her husband hunted too and worked on cars? But that still doesn't answer me how they have my son's car and not the police.

I looked around the room. There was one door on the left, next to the disgusting freezer, with a door on my right. I didn't know where she went. She quickly vanished - almost like a ghost. My hearing focused a bit - suddenly very aware of everything happening around me. The clock on the wall ticking, a few wooden floor boards creaking above me, but most noticeably - a noise of grunting and metal coming nearby. As I made my way closer; I noticed a staircase beneath the wall of animal skulls. The wooden floorboards creaked beneath me as I inched my way closer - hearing a female's voice as the metal door struggled to open. At the bottom of the stairs - next to the door - was some hay, flower pots. Some of which were broken. I hesitated before grabbing the door handle. Is it the woman from earlier? Maybe someone else? What if Jesse is down here?!

The last thought was all I needed to yank open the door.

But I was met with a different face. It wasn't the same woman as before - the one with the strawberry hair. No. This time it was another woman but much younger than the other. She had tan skin, scared hazel eyes, brown hair, and she was in rough shape. It looked like she had bruises around her neck and wrists - hell, one of the hands she had looked broken! Her clothes were all dirty and bloody, even parts of her face and arms. She looks like she's been through hell! My eyes widened - not expecting to run into her but instead the other woman in the flowers.

"Who the hell are you?!" I asked a little too bluntly.

"Maria, Maria Flores." She answered, "Who are you?"

My eyes widened as the words slipped from her mouth. My eyes scanned all over her terrified expression as the puzzle pieces clicked. This is Maria! The one who's been on the radio broadcasts - the same poster I picked up from a young girl who looked similar to her. Maybe her sister?! My blood ran cold as I finally realized what was happening. I just found Maria and judging by the state she was in - this wasn't intentional. She was severely injured and scared. She was in the middle of an escape. I had to help her. If I couldn't help or find my Jesse right now, then maybe we can get out and find him later. Maybe she ran into him too?! No matter where Jesse was, I knew this situation was no longer about him. It was about making sure Maria and I got out of here alive. Safe. I immediately flipped on a switch that I hadn't had in two years - ready to protect this sweet girl as if she was my own daughter.

But not without an important question.

"Virginia." I answered before asking, "I'm looking for my son. Have you seen him?"