"I've been calling Glory, she is not picking up.
She texted me this afternoon, that she might be late," Marie said, fidgeting in her seat.
"Maybe, she decided to stay with Kayla and Kay," Xavier said.
"No, I have a bad feeling about this," Marie said.
Worry paned through him.
When Marie gets a premonition, it usually happens.
"Have you tried Kay and Kayla's phones?
Yes, they aren't picking up either," Xander said.
"Can't we call the police," Evan said.
"It isn't up to 24 hours, even if we pull connections, it will be long gone before they find her," Xander mumbled.
"Let's all calm down, we will find her," Charles soothed.
"Call Leo, he might know where they are."
"Yes," Xander said, quickly dialing Leo.
After the brief dialogue, Xander ended the call, his composure now calm.
"He said, they went clubbing, down east. He gave me the address, the name's Stompers."
"Here," he handed Xavier his phone.
"Oh thank God." Marie gushed, her hands resting on her chest.
"I'll go get her." Xavier threw over his shoulders.
Tension drummed around his spine as he blew past the road limits towards the address given.
The car skidded to a stop in front of the club, and he approached the bouncer.
"Did you see these girls," he said, showing a picture Kayla had forced them to take at the beach.
"Yeah, the dark one, left a while ago and the red-heads are inside. Why?" The bouncer said, warily.
"You let her go alone?" Xavier growled.
"I figured Tim would drive her, he is our last taxi driver for the night, after that, we make sure everyone goes with a guard," The bouncer said, his hands up in defense.
Shit! Xander sprinted to the car, driving down the street, searching anxiously for any sign of Glory.
His headlight, illuminated a girl, two guys were approaching her.
She was being herded. It smelled like trouble. Worse she resembled Glory. She was Glory!
He clenched the steering wheel, dark eyes narrowed at the male figures as he stepped on the accelerator heading straight towards the tall one. Unfortunately, the man swerved to the side.
"Get in." he bellowed, skidding to a stop with the passenger door open.
Glory jumped into the seat, slamming the door shut behind her.
The tire squealed as he spun around, towards the men again. They dived for the sidewalk, shouting and cursing loudly as he sped away.
"Are you all right?" Xavier asked, his voice tight, controlled.
"Yes?" her voice was rough.
What were you thinking? Going off like that. Xavier berated.
"I thought I could get a taxi," she said, her tone defensive. "My phone is not with me."
"Why didn't you run when you saw them?" He implored.
She glared at him. "I could get lost, besides the tall one could outrun me."
"You could have just stayed back with Kayla and Kay."
"Stop it alright," She faced her palm to his face.
"Wait, Kayla and kay."
She continued, holding onto his arm.
"Please let's not tell them, they will feel guilty. The family either, things will escalate and Aunt Basile will hear about it."
"Fine," he said.
"Fine" she huffed, turning away from him.
Silence ensued in the car.
"I'm sorry," Xavier said, glancing at her.
"It's alright, it's not your fault." She mumbled.
"Not that." He shook his head.
"I'm sorry for what I said last week, it was uncalled for."
"Oh," she said.
It wasn't encouraging, the odd silence disheartening.
Xavier cleared his throat.
"I got you something," he said, handing her a gift bag. "Open it."
"What's this?" She said, taking out a small wrap box from the bag.
"Open it, will you?" he rolled his eyes at her.
Xavier saw the glow in her face, he was glad he replaced the gloom there.
She likes it.
"Thank you," she said, eyes brimmed with unshed tears. "It's beautiful."
"Let me put it on for you," Xavier said as he pulled to a stop in the driveway.
He reached out to put the necklace around her neck.
Her neck was smooth as satin, he couldn't help but notice. They were so close that he heard her breathing deepen, felt her pulse leap under his fingers.
He leaned away, clearing his throat. "I'm done. Let's go in everyone was worried."
"Oh, we were so worried." Marie hugged her immediately they came through the door.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled, her head down.
"Don't be," Charles said, hugging her to
"Go get some rest ok?"
"Ok." She smiled. "Marie, can I have some cookies?"
"With milk?" Marie asked.
She nodded, following Marie to the kitchen.
"Where's Evan and Xander?" Xavier said.
"I told them to get some sleep, forcefully if I may add." Charles chuckled. "You should go to bed too."
"Ok." Xavier nodded.
A few minutes later, Xavier heard a knock on his door.
He opened the door to find Glory in her pajamas, her arms folded together.
"Can I sleep here tonight," she said, biting her lips.
He stood there staring at her.
"Sorry I'll go, it was a mistake." She stammered when he didn't reply.
"No, you can stay, I was just a bit stumped," he said, holding her arm before she could leave.
"Thank you." She blinked at him.
Xavier sighed as she drifted to sleep in his arms.
Just for tonight. You can hold her just for tonight. Tomorrow? He sighed again.
When he woke up, she was gone!