Page 7 of A Love Bite
We approach the front desk, where a tired-looking officer glances up from his paperwork. “Can I help you?” he asks, his tone weary but polite.
“Yes,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “We’re here to report a missing person. Our friend, Opal Zall, hasn’t been seen or heard from since the day before yesterday.”
The officer sighs and nods, motioning for us to take a seat. “All right, let’s get some details. Have you filed a missing person’s report yet?”
“No, not yet,” Kathy replies, her voice tinged with frustration. “We were hoping you could help us with that.”
He grabs a form and starts asking for information about Opal—her age, physical description, last known whereabouts, and any potential reasons she might have for disappearing. We answer as best we can, providing as much detail as possible.
After what feels like an eternity, the officer finally looks up from his notes. “We’ll file the report and keep an eye out, but you should know that adults have the right to disappear if they want to. Unless we have evidence of foul play, there’s only so much we can do.”
Kathy’s frustration boils over. “But she wouldn’t just disappear! This is completely out of character for her. Something must have happened!”
The officer’s expression softens slightly, but his tone remains professional. “I understand your concern, but we have protocols we have to follow. We’ll do our best to locate her, but it might take some time.”
“Is there anything else we can do?” I ask, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over me.
The officer thinks for a moment before replying. “Continue to check with her friends and family. Sometimes missing persons will reach out to someone they trust. If you find out anything new, let us know immediately.”
We thank him and leave the station, the weight of the situation pressing down on us even more heavily. As we step out into the bright afternoon sun, Kathy turns to me, her eyes filled with worry.
“What now?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my own nerves. “We keep looking. We won’t stop until we find her.”
Kathy nods, her determination matching my own. “Let’s check her apartment again. Maybe we missed something the first time.”
We head back to Opal’s apartment, hoping against hope that we’ll find some clue, some piece of evidence that will lead us to her. As we walk, my mind races with possibilities, each one more troubling than the last.
When we arrive, we knock on her door again, calling out her name, but there’s still no response. Frustrated, we decide to take a closer look around the apartment complex, hoping that something might stand out.
As we search the area, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re running out of time. Opal is out there somewhere, and she needs us. We have to find her, no matter what it takes.
7
Jake
As the afternoonwears on and the bar’s bustle slows to a lull, I decide I need a break. I try to push thoughts of Alex out of my mind, but they keep creeping back in. It’s frustrating—I’m usually so good at compartmentalizing, but something about her has me all twisted up inside.
I head out for a walk, hoping the fresh air and movement will clear my head. The streets are busy, but I stick to quieter areas, my thoughts wandering as I go. The concerns about the pack, Elias, and everything else blend into a constant hum at the back of my mind.
As I walk, something catches my attention. It’s a faint scent, one that stands out against the usual city smells. It’s familiar, comforting, and unmistakably Alex. My heart skips a beat, and before I know it, I’m following the scent, my feet moving almost on their own.
I turn a corner and there she is, walking alone, her expression focused and determined. I pause for a moment, just watching her. There’s a strength in the way she moves, a resilience that draws me in even more. Despite everything, I can’t help but feel a sense of protectiveness toward her.
“Alex,” I call out, my voice carrying over the sounds of the street.
She stops and turns, her eyes widening slightly when she sees me. “Jake? What are you doing here?”
I approach her, trying to keep my tone casual. “I was out for a walk, trying to clear my head. What about you? Everything okay?”
She hesitates for a moment, then shakes her head. “Not really. A friend of mine is missing, and I’m trying to find her. It’s been a rough day.”
Concern floods through me. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Alex looks at me, and for a moment, I can see the internal struggle in her eyes. Finally, she sighs and nods. “Actually, yes. Her name is Opal Zall. She disappeared a couple of days ago, and my friend Kathy and I have been trying to find her. We went to the police, but they weren’t much help.”
“Why don’t you tell me what you know?” I suggest, hoping that maybe my heightened senses could be of use in this situation.