Prologue: When she left
Jace
I know you’ll want to come looking for me but don’t. You won’t see me at school or Mae’s Diner anymore. Hell, you won’t see me in the same state anymore. I can’t guarantee you won’t see me when you close your eyes because I know you will. I know you’ll see me in Mercuri. Take good care of her for me.
I’ll always love you.
From your baby, Rayne
The note was sitting on her bed when i came upstairs to wake her up. She always woke up late but never minded me waking her up on my days off. The note and Mercuri’s collar was all she left me. I stood by her bed, staring blankly at the giant mound of pillows and books and blankets. Gone, was all i could think. She’s gone and i don’t know where she is. What do i do now?
I stood there with a blank expression for who knows how long. Monica’s voice drew me out of my trance.
“Jace is she up yet?” Footsteps followed the shout meaning she’d be coming upstairs and she would notice her daughter missing. She’d notice me standing helpless, numb, and holding back tears. She’d read the note and freak out, abandoning breakfast. She’d immediately call the police wanting to file a run-away report but they’d tell her no because Rayne turned 18 today.
Just barely 2 months older than me.
She’d always told me ever since we started dating 2 years ago, she would get the hell out of the town we lived in. The suffocating, ghetto town of Boise, Idaho. I just always figured she would wait for me. I guess I was wrong. Suddenly I was filled with rage and the tears spilled over. I closed my eyes and willed them to stop. She was right. I'd see her face when I closed my eyes. I remembered her face perfectly. Long black hair, dyed from blonde, the roots just barely showing. Blue eyes that looked like they held the universe in them. An eyebrow piercing and gauges.
I guess I wasn't as important to her as she made me think. I walked past Monica, pushing the note at her and walking down the stairs. "Hey Jace!" Lynne, her little sister, said to me as i headed to the front door. I didn't respond. I couldn't get the words out. The tears combined with the red of rage clouded my vision. I got my keys out of my pocket, unlocked my car and sat down in the little Honda. I sat in silence and broke down.
Gone.
