IDIOT AND THE BEAST

CHAPTER 50 — BACK HOME

[ZACH]

I raise a finger, excusing myself, as I answer the call on my phone, "Hey,"

"Hey," it is Valerie, "Is Danesh with you?"

My eyebrows shoot up involuntarily, surprised, "No?"

Has he told her — is that why she is asking if her brother is with me?

"Oh, okay,"

And before she can end the call, I quickly ask, "I thought you guys were having a family thing tonight. Isn't he with you?"

I hear her sigh on the other end, "He was, but he must have taken off, I guess, and now he's not picking up his phone and I have no idea where he is. That's why I called you, but seems like he's not with you either,"

"Why would he be with me?" I let out an awkward chuckle, trying to keep my tone light, wanting to know if she knew something or anything at all.

"I don't know. You guys are friends, right? I don't know any of his other friends, or even if there are,"

"Right," I can't tell if I am relieved or disappointed.

"Just call me if you see him, alright?"

"Okay,"

I go back to the table where my friends are sat at. Since all of us were bored and has nothing to do for the day we decided to head to the arcade and after spending some considerable time there, we are now at a diner. I pick up my jacket which I had slung over the chair, shooting my friends a sheepish grimace.

"I'm sorry, guys. That was my mom. She needs me back at home, it's urgent," I lie — it isn't like I can tell them the real reason I am leaving.

Well actually I can, but due to obvious reasons it's better if I don't, at least for the time being.

I pause once I am in my car, taking out my phone and going to the messaging app — I had sent a text to Danesh a few hours prior and there isn't a reply. At the time I thought it could be because he was preoccupied with the guests at his house but after Valerie's call, I am not so sure anymore. My thumb hovers over the screen for a few more moments before I shake my head to myself and press the call icon instead.

He doesn't pick up and I am only answered by the voicemail service. Frowning, I put my phone back into my pocket. He won't go back to ignoring me, will he?

Disposing of such thoughts, I start the engine of my car — I have a fair idea where I can possibly find him.

After about twenty minutes, I find myself in front of Lost House, the place looking as creepy as ever, even more so in the dark. I utilise the flashlight in my phone to guide me through the darkness and into the house. I cringe as the floorboards creak under my footsteps, and other than occasional owls hooting and chirping of some insects, it is rather quiet. My eyes swivel around the house trying to spot another source of brightness, possibly signalling Dan's presence, but it is completely dark. I come to an abrupt halt, holding my phone close to my chest.

Fuck, what if he isn't here?

Gulping away the creeping sense of dread, I take another step forward but immediately stop when the floorboard creaks unhelpfully. Taking a deep breath, I decide I'll give him another call. Even if he doesn't pick up, if he is around here, I'd hear his phone ringing.

I scan my surroundings as the phone rings. Once again, he doesn't pick up and dread settles at the bottom of my stomach when I don't hear anything around the house either.