1
Elsie
I shove the last of my clothes into my battered old duffel bag and zip it up with a sigh. This is happening- I’m going to track down Hunter Graham, the famous author who vanished without a trace some months ago. My roommate and also my only friend, Jenna, leans against the doorframe of my small bedroom, arms crossed as she watches me pack with a skeptical look.
“I still think this is a crazy idea, you know,” she says.
I roll my eyes as I toss my toiletries into another bag. “You’ve said that about fifty times already, Jenna. But I have to do this.”
She pushes off the doorframe and comes further into the room. “So you’re still going through with this crazy plan?”
I give her a small smile. “When have you known me to back down from a story?”
She walks over and perched at the edge of my unmade bed.“I don’t get why you’re doing this, honestly.”
I sigh.
“I’m sure we’ve been over this before Jess. I have to impress my boss. And tell me, what better way to do that than finding a missing bestselling author?”
She scoffs “Yeah, chasing an exclusive author through who knows where. I’m sure that will impress your boss,” she says dryly.
I shoot her a look. “It shows initiative. It shows creativity. That I’m willing to go above and beyond for a story. They want someone passionate…”
“Or they need someone with common sense,” she retorts. “Why can’t you just write a normal story like everyone else, with fictional characters?”
“Because I want something exciting. Something no one else will have thought of,” I argue stubbornly.“Think about it- a front-page story about how the whereabouts of Hunter Graham. Don’t you see how perfectly this story writes itself? Barbara would have to keep me. It would be career-making.”
Jenna plops down on my bed with a worried frown.“Well, following a missing author into the unknown seems like a terrible way to start your career. Besides, have you considered that Hunter Graham might have wanted to disappear? People go off the grid for a reason sometimes, Elsie. What makes you think that he’ll want to be found?”
I pause as I think of the right answer to her question. “That’s possible I guess, but I still need to be sure that solitude is the reason why he disappeared.”
Jenna sighs.“Look, I get you want this job so bad but you don’t know what’s going on. For all we know, this dude could be at the bottom of a river somewhere. Do you want to end up like one of the cases we watch on those crime TV shows?”
I shudder at the thought. As much as I love solving crime cases, I have no desire to become one.
“Or… it could be something else. What if something happened and he became depressed? Then he decided to just let it go and disappear. Maybe he just needs help.”I turn to face her. “I know this is insane, but I have to try Jenna. I need to know what has happened to him and for me to know that, I have to find him.”
“Except for the fact that he doesn’t want to be found!” Jenna exclaims. “Look, I’m worried about you. Do you think you can drive to some random town and expect to locate one man who doesn’t want to be looked for? This isn’t those novels you read Elsie. Real life isn’t that simple. Do you think that it’s a coincidence he disappeared without a trace? People don’t just do that Elsie, except they don’t want to be found.”
I nod slowly.“I know, but something just doesn’t add up about this whole thing. It was so abrupt right after releasing the first half of his duet series. Fans were desperate for the release of the second book and then suddenly, nothing. No social media posts, phone calls were unanswered and then, his house was found empty when the cops did a welfare check. It’s like he vanished into thin air!”
“And you think you, an intern, are going to find out what happened when the cops couldn’t?” Jenna says as she gives me a look of disbelief.
I meet her gaze steadily. “The cops didn’t have me, his biggest fan looking into it. I know his work better than anyone, I’ve read every one of his books. I’m sure there’s something they are missing.”
Jenna throws her hands up in exasperation. “ or you’re losing your mind. Now, you know more than the cops, come on.”When I don’t say anything, she runs a hand through her hair in frustration.
“Elsie, please be rational. This is crazy and unsafe.” I know she has a point but I’m determined. “I know it is. But this is the only story idea I have that could save me a spot when I’m done with my internship at Barbara’s editorial firm, which is just a month away. Wouldn’t you take a chance if it was your career on the line?”
She shakes her head almost immediately.“No. I wouldn’t do something as stupid as this. Do you even have any idea where to start? Any real clues besides a hunch and your overactive imagination? I mean, this man could be anywhere in the world. For all we know, he could be off on some tropical island sipping mai tais as we speak.”
I pause, considering her question.“Well, there’s this place he made mention of during his last interview before his disappearance. He called it his haven. He said that he’ll go live there when he retires and stops writing. He didn’t give out this place’s specific location but he did say that it’s somewhere in Cleveland. That’s where I’ll begin my search.”
She nods, her brows furrowed in thought. “Okay, that makes sense. But, what if he isn’t there?. What if he’s somewhere else? What next?”
I chew on my lower lip, feeling a twinge of uncertainty. “I’m not sure, to be honest. That’s the only lead I have. I’m just going to check this place out. If I don’t find anything, I’ll come home. I promise.”
Jenna sighs as she stands, her shoulders slumping in defeat as she stands.“I know I can’t talk you out of this, right?” She asks a hint of resignation in her voice. I shake my head as a small smile tugs at the corners of my lips.
“No, you can’t. This is something I have to do, Jenna. I hope you can understand.”
She pulls me into a tight and I feel the tears welling up in her eyes. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay? And even if you don’t find him, please just come home. We’ll find you another story. Don’t go wandering around, looking for something that shouldn’t be found. I won’t survive if something bad happens to you.”
I nod, my tears spilling over as I hold onto her.” “I’ll be careful, I promise. And I’ll come home, no matter what happens.”
“Good. Take this,” she says as she pulls away and hands me a can of pepper spray. “For any creepy stalker you may encounter.”
I smile as I tuck it into my bag.
“I know I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. Please be careful out there, okay?” She says, her eyes glistening with mushed tears.“And don’t forget to call me as soon as you can. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”
I nod, a lump forming in my throat. “I will Jenna, I promise.”
I give her another hug, then I grab my bag and hurry out to my car. I load my bag into the driver’s seat of my old Honda Civic and slide into the driver’s seat. As I turn the key in the ignition, the engine sputters and creaks as it always does.
“Come on Betty, don’t give out on me now,” I plead as I turn the key again.
With a reluctant groan, she finally tumbles to life with a loud coughing sound. I breathe a sigh of relief, patting the steering wheel affectionately. “Good girl.”
Not the smoothest ride, but she’s gotten me where I need to go for the past four years. A small cloud of smoke puffs from the exhaust pipe. I roll down the windows to let the fumes escape and turn up the radio, tapping my fingers along the beat of some classic rock song. As Betty’s engine settles into its usual rough idle, with a final wave to Jenna who’s watching from the porch, I shift gears and pull out onto the empty road leading away from town. Betty rattles as cornfields and wildflowers pass by in a blur of color. A feeling of excitement and nervousness grows in my stomach. What if I don’t find him? Or worse, what if I actually find him but he turns me away and refuses to give me the story I so desperately need? I shove those thoughts away. I’ve come this far already, I really can’t give up now. I focus on the music flowing through the speakers and try to let go of every thought as I drive through the open road, the familiar landscape of rolling hills and fields stretches out before me.
