Lydia walked over to the old woman.
She gently placed her hand on the old woman’s arm.
The old woman looked upset.
“Mrs.
Holden, Betty again ran away,” Mrs.
Holden spoke softly.
A quick nod escaped from her in response.
Before Lydia said something else, we saw Dorian step in the police station along with Max.
Dorian has a straight face.
The anger was visible on his face.
And I noticed a big smile on his face.
It seemed like he was in a pleasant mood.
It is not odd for me that he was smiling because whenever he came here, he always welcomed the smile on his face.
I looked away.
I clutched my fist on my side, and my knuckle turned white.
Lydia clutched Mrs.
Holden’s hand and led her to the car.
Dorian, ask Lucas to find Betty because I am going to drop her home, so I do not have time,” Lydia spoke in a high tone.
Dorian’s head dipped in a brief nod.
Dorian then looked at Max.
“Stay here,” Dorian said firmly.
He then raced to the car where Lydia was standing along with Mrs.
Holden.
“I am afraid Lucas cannot do that because he went out of the town.” Dorian’s voice was low.
“I am also worried about Marty because I have not seen him since Sunday.”
The worry was dripping on Dorian’s voice.
I found myself observing their conversation, and then I thought I should step up and offer my help.
I suddenly jumped into the conversation.
I raised my hand.
“I can go and look for Betty.” There was urgency in my voice.
Lydia and Dorian glanced at me for a second and then looked at each other’s faces.
Suddenly, Aunt Agatha’s voice echoed in my ears.
“How can you suggest that because you just arrived in this town and you do not even know the direction?” Anger cleared her voice.
A small smile crept into my face.
“I think this task is not that difficult because Betty is the dog, and if you just call her name, then she will show up,” I said.
My voice was steady.
“Also, Aunt Agatha, you know I am a good tracker.” Aunt Agatha sucked her teeth.
“Callie, I will not allow you to wander in this town like that.” A hint of anger colored her voice.
I was getting angry.
I unclenched my hands.
“Agatha, she is not alone in this adventure because I am sending Max with her.” That I heard Lydia say.
Dorian’s hand finds its way to his waist.
“He stole the car tires that were parked at the party,” Dorian whispered.
His voice dropped to an audible level.
Lydia opened the car door and hopped in while saying.
“I think you should include other groups of kids in this investigation because I think he alone cannot do that.” When I saw her leaving, Dorian motioned us to go outside the police station.
I left the police station and then started walking on the pavement.
I was not looking at Max directly because I was mad at him for leaving me at the party alone.
If Damon were not there to help me, I do not know what I would do.
When I got lost in my thoughts, a low voice pulled me back into reality.
“You are going in the wrong direction.” I kept walking like I did not hear him.
I balled my fists.
“Hey.” His voice was low.
I turned around to face him.
“I cannot believe you left me alone at that party last night.
Seriously, Max?” Anger sharpened my voice.
“I think I was wrong that you are a true gentleman” Max gave his head a nod.
“I had to.
Isabel was upset,” Max said.
“And I have to tell her that.” I suddenly cut him off rudely.
I scoffed.
“Upset?
Or controlling?
There is a difference between them.” Max placed his hands on his hip.
He looked away.
“It is not like that.
She just did not want me to hang out with you.
You know that!” Max said, pausing.
“I think she feels insecure around you.”
I raked my fingers through my hair.
“So, you just ditched me?
That is your solution?” The anger was dripping from my voice.
At this moment, I was fuming with anger.
Max gave his head a nod.
“I did not ditch you!
I was trying to keep the peace.” He spoke quietly.
“I don’t know what happened, but ever since that night, she’s been acting all weird around me.”
I sucked in a big breath.
I was not buying Max’s justification because he agreed with Isabel.
It was not like I forced him to come with me.
I added it with heavily chuckled.
“I do not think that you did it to keep peace.
Because I think it is just easier for you to follow Isabel around like a puppy.” As Max heard that, he clenched his jaw, gritting his teeth, which was audible in the tense air.
“You are crossing the line.
She is my girlfriend, and I wanted to go with her, but at the last minute, she said no.
When I went to Kristin’s place and ran into you, you asked if I could be your plus one at the party, and I just said yes without thinking.
Max took a small pause and a minute later started talking again.
“I did not mean to leave you hanging out!
I thought you would be fine.” He spoke in a quiet, resonant tone.
I gave Max a single-handed shove.
“Fine?
I was miserable.
I thought you would come back for me, but you did not,” I said, trembling lips.
My eyes welled up with emotion.
Max took a deep breath.
“You are now overreacting.
I left you there because I know you will be fine.
Because your aunt is there,” I suddenly interrupted him, probably rudely.
“I was left alone there because you saw my aunt had gotten arrested,” my voice stammered.
“But why do I think you would care?
Because I am just the girl who asked you to come with me to the party.” I began walking with a bowed head.
Max was walking side by side with me.
I briskly rubbed my hands together.
“I am sorry,” Max said with a straight face.
“Look, Callie, it’s complicated.” I shifted my gaze from the road to Max’s face.
I knit my eyebrows together. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
“Complicated how?
It is simple.
You chose her over me,” I spoke, and a tremor of anger ran through her voice.
My blood was boiling.
“You know, I thought you would stay with me because she made her decision and you made yours, so why did you go after her?”
“Max crossed his arms over his chest.
“Do not make it about you.
I had to talk to her because Isabel…” I jumped into the conversation.
“Isabel is what?
Perfect?
Because she is not.” My voice was a mixture of anger and resentment.
Max clicked his tongue.
“She is not perfect, but she is mine,” he said with authority.
A quick nod escaped me.
I looked at Max with a furrowed brow.
I cannot believe that he said.
I mean, he is not ready to listen to anything.
He was just trying to tell me how Isabel is.
I pressed my lips together; it was showing my controlled anger.
“Yours?
You mean it is okay with you if she controls you like a puppet?” My voice was strong.
Max weakly chuckled.
His eyes widened with surprise.
“I am not a puppet!
You do not know what I had been gone through,” Max said.
Her voice was laced with sadness.
If you are trying to compel me to break up with Isabel because you know my secret, then I think I do not care.”
I sniffled.
I touched my forehead and a minute later started speaking.
“Max, I will not compel you to do anything.
I was just trying to tell you that she is not good for you,” my voice resolute.
“I am saying that I care about you.” I looked at myself with narrow eyes.
Meanwhile, we heard a muffled dog whining in the distance.
“How can you say that?
I mean, you are judging her,” he yelled.
His voice was excessively loud.
“You did not even know her.
I know she envies you when you are around me.” I remained silent.
My chest rose and fell with rapid breath.
Max fixed his watch and glanced around.
“Hey, we went the wrong way,” I could hear the frustration and disappointment in his voice.
I shut my eyes tight for a moment and then opened them again.
I was focused on a sound I had been hearing for a few minutes.
I started looking around cautiously to see if anyone was around.
I raised my palm.
“Ssshhh…” I spoke.
My voice is a low murmur.
I heard splashing water near us.
I dashed towards the direction where the sound came from.
We arrived at the lake later, where we saw a dog drowning.
It has shallow breathing.
The dog looked tired.