Read Gone (Gone #1) for Free Online Page A

slipped it on, opened her window, and climbed out onto the ledge. She looked at the woods that faced her back yard. Could Macy actually have been taken by some pedophile?
    Zoey stuck her hand into her pocket, grabbed a box and pulled out a cigarette. She lit it and took a puff, holding it in for a moment. Letting her breath out slowly, she tried to relax.
    She'd started smoking to look cool around the new kids she'd been hanging out with, but now she actually felt like she needed one. If her mom knew she was smoking, she would have a fit.
    The last thing Zoey wanted was go to the police station. What if she said something that could get Macy into trouble? What if she got herself into trouble? Could they charge her with something because she knew her friend was going to sneak out? By law, she was only a kid.
    Her heart sped up as she thought about different kinds of worst-case scenarios. What if they sent her to juvie? What if everyone hated her for keeping Jared a secret? She didn't let her mind go to the absolute worst case—something actually happening to Macy.
    As much as she didn't want to admit it, deep down she thought that might be the most realistic option. If Macy had planned to run away with Jared, she'd tell Zoey and not post it for everyone.
    Zoey took another drag.
    Guilt punched her in the gut again as she thought about the other secret she was keeping from Macy—the one far worse than smoking.
    What if Macy had found out about that? Would that have been enough to send her over the edge to run away?
    Zoey took one last drag, then smashed the cigarette into the roof tile next to her. She needed another one, maybe the whole pack, but there wasn't time for that. She climbed back into her room and sprayed some air freshener. Then she opened her door and listened for her mom. She could hear her downstairs, talking on the phone.
    Zoey grabbed some clothes and ran to the bathroom for a quick shower. What should she tell the cops? She should probably stick to Jared and what little she knew about him. She kicked herself for not downloading his picture.
    Maybe one of Macy's other friends had talked with Jared and had been smart enough to save the picture.
    Zoey got out of the shower and brushed her teeth to get rid of the last evidence of her new habit. She looked in the mirror, examining her teeth, and then she brushed her long, black hair. She promised herself that the next time she saw Macy, she would come clean. She would tell her everything. The thought that she'd caused Macy to run away ate at her.
    There was a knock on the door. "Are you ready yet, Zoey? They're expecting us at the station."
    "Hold on!" Zoey grabbed her black eyeliner. She gave her eyes a smoky look before putting on some mascara. She loved her exotic eyes. They were so dark and mysterious, thanks to her dad's Japanese roots.
    Her mom drove her to the station in near-silence. Zoey really didn't want to talk about anything, and her mom usually respected that.
    When they pulled into a parking spot, her mom turned to her. "Just tell them everything you know. Don't be nervous, okay? You're not in trouble. Everyone just wants to find Macy. You're her best friend, and you might know something that no one else does."
    Zoey nodded. "Sure, Mom." She got out of the car, not wanting to talk about it any more.
    They walked into the station together. Her mom told the officer at the front desk why they were there, and he filled out some paperwork. Then he looked up at Zoey's mom and then back to Zoey.
    "Are you adopted?"
    Zoey rolled her eyes. If she had a dollar for every time some ignorant bonehead asked that, she would be rich. Because she looked so much like her dad, everyone assumed she couldn't be related to her fair-skinned, auburn-haired mom. "My dad is Japanese."
    The buffoon looked around. "Where is he?"
    Zoey narrowed her eyes. "Isn't that the million-dollar question? Probably Japan, but who knows? If you figure it out, let me know."
    He raised his