Even though it was Thursday night, Baxter’s was packed with the usual crowd. So far, Aiden hadn’t picked up anything that might help us figure things out.
News about Chelsea’s disappearance had started circulating, but everything was just speculation. In a way, I was glad that I couldn’t hear what they were actually thinking, because my intuition was telling me that news of Ben was out.
Nobody was pointing any fingers, and there were no obvious stares. But the hushed whispers were starting to get to me. If Ben wasn’t completely oblivious to what was going on around him, I would have snapped.
Just before we were about to head home, the café fell silent. All eyes turned to the enormous LCD TV sitting on the back wall. An announcement of breaking news had cut through whatever program had been on beforehand. The news anchor was saying that a second teenage girl was missing. Photos of Chelsea and another girl I had never seen before were plastered on the screen. He then went on to say that the police hadn’t confirmed that the two disappearances were linked, but they were warning everyone to make sure all their windows and doors were locked and to only venture out if absolutely necessary. The police also confirmed that they already had a lead on the case and would continue to update the public as more information came to light.
I looked around the room as the TV went back to playing the top thirty music countdown. Everyone’s eyes were no longer glued to the screen; they were focused on the three of us—Ben in particular.
Ben opened his mouth as if he was about to defend himself, but Aiden cut him off. “Let’s just get out of here,” he said, placing a hand on Ben’s shoulder.
We left Baxter’s with all eyes still locked on Ben.
None of us talked on the way back to the car. I was too caught up in the fact that Chelsea had been confirmed missing. Ben was probably freaking out, and Aiden had to deal with all of Ben’s thoughts, as well as mine and his own.
Aiden squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry about me. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I won’t be okay ’til we find her.”
“We will find her.”
I knew Aiden was right. Somehow, I knew we would find Chelsea. But I wasn’t sure she would still be alive when we finally found her.
Aiden put an arm around my shoulder and drew me into his side. “Well, then, we just have to make sure we find her in time.” He kissed the top of my head.