Before you read the attached document, I need you both to know that without you, I would’ve crumbled. For so long, I thought I was alone, but it’s always been you two. I’m sorry I haven’t been the greatest friend or the greatest person, but please, I need someone to read this, just in case the chance is taken away from me.
I hit send on the email with the doc attached and close my eyes. I look around the room and smile sadly, wishing Madison could give me an inspiring speech, but she’s been radio silent since the coordinate discovery.
Gathering everything I need, I stuff the paper with the coordinates and the box with the earring into my bag before I grab my phone and laptop, leaving everything else behind in the room for now.
The car I rented was cheap. And ugly, by the looks of things. It’s a dented white Chevy Malibu. The inside reeks of cigarettes, but I couldn’t really care less. I have a nine-and-a-half-hour drive ahead of me. I don’t have any time to waste.
It’ll most likely be around tomorrow night before I get into town. I’ll do a bit of driving tonight, get some food, stop off at another cheap motel, and then drive the rest of the way tomorrow morning.
That’ll give me enough time to process and prepare. I’ve spent nine years searching for answers. And I think I’ve finally found them.
My lids flutter open, and it takes me a few seconds to realize I’m in another cheap motel room. A glance at the shitty, beat-up clock on the nightstand tells me it’s only 3:15 a.m.
I roll onto my other side, trying to get comfortable but scream when I realize who’s lying next to me.
“Christ, Maddie. What the hell is wrong with you?” I gasp, and she laughs at my expense, just like she usually does. Her hand is tucked under the pillow, propping her head up as she watches me. My eyes narrow on her. “Where have you been?”
She shoots me a condescending smirk. “Oh, you know, around. Living my best life.”
“I’m serious, Mads. I needed you, and you weren’t there.”
She suddenly grows serious, brushing my hair back. “I’m always here, Mackenzie. Always.” Madison picks up a lock of my hair, twisting it back and forth, smiling as she goes. “You really are a different person with this hair.”
“That was sort of the point.”
“I’m proud of you, Mack.”
I swallow, fighting back the sudden bout of tears. I search my sister’s face and confess how I’m really feeling about all this. “I’m scared.”
“I know. But that’s why I’m here. You need to get up. You need to get there before anyone else does.”
My brows dip. “What does that mean?”
She smiles sadly. “Go. Go now, Mackenzie.”
I wake with a start. The open curtains allow sunlight to shine into the room, blinding me. Someone in the room next to me is fighting. I can hear their angered shouts and then the sound of something crashing.
Must’ve been what woke me.
I rub at my temples, trying to shake off the odd dream. Once again, the conversation, the moment with my sister felt so real. I’m afraid I’ve officially lost my mind. I glance at the clock on the nightstand, and I shoot upright, my eyes going wide.
“No, no, no,” I mumble, tossing off the sheets and fumbling into the bathroom.
That can’t be the right time.
There’s no way.
12:15 p.m.
I slept through my alarm. I still have to get back on the road to get to Ferndale on time.
I scramble around the motel room, repacking and grabbing everything I need. I opt for a quick shower, and on the way, I stop for a coffee as my breakfast. I drive for five hours, only having to take a bathroom break and stop for gas twice.
At one point, I have to pull over and cry. All the emotions from the past few weeks barrel into me, and I sob, resting my forehead against the steering wheel. I’m afraid of what I’ll find. I’m afraid of what I might not find. I wish I had Madison here to hold my hand through this. I wish I had Baz here to hold me, but I fucked that up. He’ll never forgive me. He’ll never want anything to do with me again.
Angrily wiping the tears off my face, I grab my phone from the cup holder, glancing at the GPS coordinates. I should be there in about twenty minutes. All I really need to do is pass the city limits’ sign, and then I can find out what happened to my sister.
Past
“Remember, Mackenzie. Sit up straight and present yourself well. This is just a simple court proceeding. The prosecutor working for the boys’ families is a shark. He’s going to present this defamation case, and he’s going to do everything he can to make you look like the bad guy here, understand? Stay calm. He’s going to say things. Things that might not be true—”
“Things that aren’t true,” I snap back at Jared, Sheriff Keller’s brother, who is my lawyer for today.
Vincent and the guys weren’t kidding when they said they’d make my life a living hell. On top of the defamation suit for the slander and graffiti on their homes, they’re now trying to say I’m the one who hurt Madison. It’s fucking infuriating and absolutely ridiculous.
An inquiry was held into Vincent and the rest of the guys, but no malfeasance detected.
“Right. I’m sorry, Mackenzie. Just remember, you need to stay calm and levelheaded in there. We’re going to beat this, all right, kid? They have nothing. No evidence linking you to the crimes. Hell, we even have a statement from Mr. Bower, claiming your innocence. Everything is going to be fine,” Jared appeases with a soft pat on my back.
If it wasn’t for Mr. Bower being the weird old man who stays up all night house watching along our street, I’m not sure what would’ve happened. I’m not even sure my parents would’ve believed me on my word alone.
My eyes slam shut, and I inhale a deep, stabilizing breath. It’s now or never.
“All rise.”
Jared taps my arm inconspicuously, urging me to stand as the judge walks in from the back. He’s an old, graying white man who looks too severe for a case like this. Fear claws at my throat, taking root in my chest, as I watch his gait, his casual strut to his spot, front and center.
I lick my dry lips and glance at the rows behind me, finding my parents and grandparents. My mom looks tired and nervous as she nibbles on her thumbnail, and my dad looks lost as he stares straight ahead, avoiding my gaze. I’m just about to turn back around when I spot the tall forms seated on the opposite side.
Vincent, Trent, and Zach are sitting on the prosecutor’s side in the rows behind him. I don’t know where the rest of the guys are, and quite honestly, I don’t care. I want this bullshit over and done with. Anger unfurls in my chest when Vincent feels my gaze on him. He shoots me a wink and blows me a kiss.
Jared nudges me again, urging me to look forward, and I do so, nostrils flaring with rage at the audacity of those bastards.
How dare they?
The judge lowers himself onto the seat and moves papers around that are before him. He looks up, eyes scanning the room. They fall on me and Jared, our family, then move toward the other side of the courtroom. He seems to make himself comfortable and nods to the prosecutor for introductions.