Chapter 5

Layla’s POV

I moved to the other side of the bed in a swift, pulling out the draw on the bedside table. Empty. I screamed again, knocking the tray of water over and spilling the water contents against the wall.

I grabbed at the side of my head as I felt a sharp pain. I felt dizzy for a second and sat at the edge of the bed to regain myself.

Slowly, I started to sob gently. My heart ached, and my mind raced. My mind raced to yesterday, to Maddy, to us walking home from work. It was all new to me like it was happening over again. I’m leaving the bar with her after waving a dismissive hand at Emma and walking down the pavement with her, taking the bus and dropping off at our neighborhood.

I wondered if Maddy was looking for me. Did she suspect a thing about my disappearance? There was no doubt she’d been to my house this morning asking of me. Last night, she had asked us to go eat out today and talk about her university. Then I disappeared. She