Page 110 of I Could Never

“Positive. I just need to pee.”

We quickly used the bathroom and then returned to the car, this time heading to another area a couple of miles from the neighborhood where the group home was located. No particular reason, but we needed to branch out.

Once we’d parked, Josh and I again split up and headed in different directions. I silently prayed every step of the way, feeling like I was wishing for a miracle. The more time that passed, the less likely we would find Scottie unharmed.

We each walked miles, passing out fliers the authorities had made with Scottie’s face on them. God, did he ever look like Brad in that photo. In the end, though, it turned out to be another long day of no leads.

As darkness fell again, I felt myself coming unraveled, and I could tell Josh was reaching the same point. By now every corner of Woodsboro had been surveyed. Josh and I hadn’t eaten, aside from the snacks he’d picked up at a convenience store last night. Even though neither of us felt hungry right now, I knew we’d need the sustenance for another night of searching. And at some point, I knew my body was going to shut down.

We decided to stop at the house to use the bathroom and scarf down some fast food we’d picked up on the way. I’d done the best I could to find something workable. My gluten-free diet didn’t matter in times like this.

Lorraine had called to tell us that she’d left Wayne’s house to shower back at her place and get a few hours of sleep, so the house was empty when we returned. Things were so quiet it was almost eerie as Josh and I sat across from each other at the kitchen table and wolfed down our food. At one point, our eyes locked. Josh’s expression was as hopeless as I imagined mine was right now.

I started to speak a few times, but nothing came out. I wished I could tell Josh everything was going to be okay, but I wouldn’t say it unless I believed it in my heart. The idea of getting a phone call terrified me, though I was also desperate for news. My nerves were shot as I braced for the worst. I needed to be prepared, just in case.

Just as we were about to leave again, Josh’s cell phone rang. We’d given his number to the police, and my heart sank deeper than I’d realized it could go.

CHAPTER 31

CARLY

“HELLO?” JOSH’S HANDtrembled as he lifted the phone to his ear.

His chest rose and fell as his eyes moved from side to side.

There’s news.I just didn’t know what. My heart beat like crazy. He kept nodding, and suddenly his lips began to quiver.

He looked at me. “He’s alive. They found him. He’s alive! He’s okay.”

He’s okay.

He’s okay.

Oh my God! He’s okay!

I burst into tears, a massive amount of air escaping me. My body felt like oxygen had just been returned to it. I’d been a walking shell of myself since arriving here, and I was alive again.

Josh ran his hand through his hair as he paced. “Where is he? Can we go to him?” He kept nodding and turned to me and whispered, “They’re bringing him here.” He nodded some more. “Okay. Okay. Thank you, officer. Thank you so much.”

After he hung up, Josh tossed the phone and collapsed to his knees. He held his head in his hands and wept. I walked over to him and knelt, joining him on the floor. We clung to each other as we both cried tears of joy. Tears of love.

After several minutes, I sniffled and asked, “Where did they find him?”

Josh’s eyes glistened. “A guy called the police because he thought there was a bear inside the clubhouse attached to his kids’ swing set. Thank God he didn’t shoot. When they got there, it wasn’t a bear. It was Scottie.” Josh wiped his eyes. “He’d holed himself up inside this clubhouse for God knows how long. That’s all I know. They said the paramedics are checking him out before they bring him home, but he seemed fine, like maybe he’d gotten a hold of food and water somehow because he didn’t seem dehydrated.”

After we called Lorraine to tell her the wonderful news, Josh and I could barely stand still as we waited for that car to show up. When it finally did, we ran to meet them outside.

An officer opened the backseat and led Scottie out. His shaggy blond hair was disheveled, and he had some dirt on his shirt, but otherwise, he looked great. Just like our Scottie.

Josh wrapped his hands around Scottie’s cheeks and kissed his face. “You scared the hell out of us, buddy.”

I rubbed Scottie’s arm. “We’re so happy you’re okay.”

With hazy eyes, Scottie seemed a bit disoriented, likely still in shock from the experience of being lost. He still had his iPad in his hand, although the screen was black. It had likely died a long time ago.

He looked at me and pointed to his device.

“Yes. Yes!” I reached out, never happier to charge something for him. “I’ll charge it for you. It’s the least I can do.” I ran into the house to plug it into my phone charger.