I walked out of the Principal's office in a haze. How could Sienna be missing? It wasn't like she went for a drive and forgot the way home. If she didn't return, she was choosing to stay gone. But why? And why was I learning about it from the Sheriff? I was certain Sienna would have told me if she was planning to run away. This was a life-changing decision, not a trip to the mall. I would have tried to stop her but no matter what, I wouldn't have ratted her out, and she knew that.
If it wasn't her choice to stay gone and something had happened to her... No, I simply couldn't allow my mind to go there. I took my phone from my back pocket with a shaky hand and checked her Instagram page. No new posts in nearly 24 hours. No activity on any of her social media accounts. This wasn't like Sienna. If she wasn't online, then she wasn't...
Somehow I made it to the restrooms where I let the water run until it wouldn't get any colder. I splashed my face and ordered myself to wake up. Nothing happened. I squeezed my eyes tight and when I opened them, I was still leaning over the grimy sink, staring at myself in the cloudy mirror. It wasn't a nightmare, it was true. My best friend had vanished and I was as stumped as everyone else.
I continued splashing my face. Water spattered on my blouse and traveled down my sleeves. Wet hairs got glued to my temples. I didn't care.
The bell rang and a couple of girls barged in, laughing and trading second-hand gossip. I couldn't stand the glee in their voices. How could they be so carefree when my world was crumbling down? I grabbed my stuff and trudged past them. I paused outside the restrooms, unable to remember where I had to go next. What was my next period? Did it matter? On autopilot, I drifted to my locker, opened it, and threw in my binder. Absentmindedly, I stared at my school books as if there was a hidden clue stashed among them.
"You okay?"
Startled, I slammed the locker door only to find Arlo standing on the other side.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."
"You didn't scare me," I retorted, not making eye contact.
I was already scared out of my wits.
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, waiting for me to say more but I just stood there scratching at my throat.
"Is something wrong?" he asked finally, sounding concerned. "You didn't come back to class. And you're melting."
I glanced at the wet spots on the floor where water had dripped off my hands. Melting? That was funny but I couldn't muster a smile.
Kids brushed past us hurrying down the hallway, cracking jokes, making plans, oblivious to the fact that one of us was missing. They would hear about it. Soon enough everyone would know and Bruler High would never be the same.
"Can I help?" asked Arlo.
Let me see. My best friend is missing. You know who I mean, the blonde girl you were asking about. She vanished in the night. Unless you know where she is, there is nothing you can do.
"I'll be fine," I snapped, reluctant to open up about what was going on. He was a fool if he thought I would turn to him for comfort. I hardly knew him.
Arlo sized me up, fully aware that I was lying but decided not to push it.
"If you say so."
Feeling faint, I leaned onto the wall of lockers for support. Why was I being standoffish? He cared enough to come to find me and offer to help.
"Listen-," I began but before I could say another word, Victor swooped in and hugged me. His face was flushed, his words breathless.
"I heard about Sienna."
It felt good having someone hold me and steady me on my feet.
"I'm freaking out," I mumbled to myself. "This isn't like her."
Victor thought I was talking to him. He pulled away and said solemnly,
"Don't worry, Zoe. They'll find her."
"Hey, what happened?" asked Arlo feeling left out.
Victor spun around, surprised that Arlo was still there, and decided to ignore him. I could tell he was annoyed by the interruption.
"Sienna's missing," I said, my voice cracking.
Arlo whistled his surprise.
"Seriously? Since when?"
I rubbed my temples as if I could divine some answers. It didn't work.
"All I know is she left home last night and didn't come back."
"They'll find her," repeated Victor. "My dad said they have a BOLO on her car and are bringing in canine units to her house. She'll be back before you know it."
I wanted to believe him but I was no fool.
"Victor, I just spoke to your father. He has no idea where she went. Or why. Plus, she has a ten-hour lead. She could be anywhere."
"Then we'll go looking too. Right now." Victor searched my face for a sign of hope. It was touchingly kind of him to propose we do something to find her but futile.
"What's the point?" I asked. "We don't even know where to start..."
"Start at the abandoned hunting cabin," said Arlo.
Victor and I stared at him speechless.
Everyone in Bruler knew the cabin. After getting partially destroyed by an avalanche a decade ago, the log building had been left to the elements. A few of the walls and a part of the roof still stood providing shelter from the wind. It was no more than a snowshed now but the view from the front steps was breathtaking. Bruler, in all its glory, at your feet. A slice of civilization, wedged between the surrounding hills. Couples were known to go there, for the privacy and the view. The cabin was a popular makeout spot.
"Did Sienna mention the cabin to you?" asked Victor.
Arlo shook his head.
"She never said a word to me, man."
Victor eyed him suspiciously.
"But you know who she is."
Arlo snorted.
"I go here, remember?"
There was more to it, I could feel it. He had asked me about her. Was it true that they never spoke? Did Sienna call him 'loco', so no one would suspect she was interested in the new boy? Possibly. Smoke-and-mirrors, that was exactly like her.
"Why should we look at the cabin?" I asked.
Arlo started saying something, then glanced at Victor and muttered with a shrug, "No reason, no reason at all."
Before I could press him for more, the bell rang. Arlo peeled away with a curt nod to me. "You take care, Zoe."
"He's sus," said Victor once Arlo was gone. I had to agree. Arlo knew more than he was saying.
"Were you serious about going to look for her?"
Victor took hold of my hand and nodded toward the exit.
"What do we have to lose?"
I didn't need to think long.
"Let's go check the cabin."
Cody caught up with us by the bicycle rack. He must have dashed across the schoolyard because he was sweating and his cheeks glowed from the exertion.
"Where are you going?" he called out between hurried breaths.
"To look for Sienna," answered Victor over his shoulder and reached down to unlock his bike.
Cody darted over to his.
"Cool. Count me in!"
I shot Victor a worried look but there was nothing to be done. We couldn't get rid of Cody now. Maybe it was for the best that he tagged along. An extra pair of eyes would be helpful once we reached the woods.
His cowlick shaky with excitement, Cody was on his bike before Victor had managed to free his from the rack. That was typical Cody. He wasn't one for overthinking things. He didn't need a plan, just a general sense of direction.
"Zoe?" Victor beckoned me closer. "Come."
I hugged my backpack and hopped on the crossbar of his bike. He looped his arms around me and pedaled to my place, a little wobbly at first but steadily picking up speed. The streets were deserted. The good people of Bruler were either at school or at work. It looked like any other Monday morning but nothing could be further away from the truth.
As Victor and Cody waited at the curb, I ran inside, dropped off my backpack, and got my bicycle out of the garage. I found them glued to their phones.
"Word is spreading," said Victor.
"Everyone's freaking out," added Cody.
"Including me," I replied.
Ready for action, Cody adjusted the strap of his helmet, tightening it under his chin.
"Where to?"
Victor and I looked at each other and said in unison, "The cabin."
The cabin sat off the beaten track but a popular trail cut nearby. The fastest way to reach it was to cycle to the trailhead, leave the bikes there and hike the last 10 minutes to the abandoned building.
The trailhead parking lot was less than 5 miles away from Bruler but it was a steep climb. We huffed and puffed as we worked the pedals. The weather was ideal for a ride but we weren't pacing ourselves and none of us had thought to bring water. In the beginning, Cody talked, trying to lighten up the mood but it didn't work and he figured he better zip it and focus on his breathing.
The narrow road cut into the mountain's wooded shoulder and unspooled in a series of sharp bends. The blacktop was eroded and the ascent - relentless. Luckily, very few cars passed us, so we could pick our way around the potholes and keep to the middle.
Victor cycled ahead of me, leaning forward over the handlebars, keeping his body close to the frame. I struggled to keep up because unlike me he was in top shape. Cody fell behind, not because he was tired but to make sure they didn't lose me. Even though I didn't see him, I could hear him whistle at the chickadees.
The sign for the trailhead couldn't come soon enough. My legs burned but I kept looking ahead and pumping the pedals. Another bend and suddenly there it was, the tin arrow with Bigfoot Crossing Trail stenciled across in a fat cursive.
Victor disappeared into the clearing first. I turned into the parking lot seconds later and almost crashed into him. He had hopped off his bike, oblivious to the fact that he was in the way. His body was tense and he was white as a ghost. I followed his eyes and stopped dead in my tracks. I dropped my bike to the ground and my hand flew to my throat. Cody appeared a few moments later, swerving sharply to avoid us.
"Hey, what the-" he yelled out and froze mid-sentence.
We stood shoulder to shoulder, staring straight ahead but it wasn't Bigfoot that we had come across.
The parking lot was empty. Empty, that is except for one car - Sienna's white Mini-Cooper.
****************
Thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote if you are enjoying the story so far.
What do you think will happen next?