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

eyebrows. "Okay. Unknown." He scribbled more on his paper. "You two can have a seat over there." He indicated toward the waiting area.
    Zoey followed her mom to the chairs. Her heart raced as she looked around at the plain, white walls and numerous windows. Yelling came from somewhere down a hall.
    Just as she was getting ready to jump from her seat and run back to the car, she heard familiar voices. She looked up to see Macy's parents and brother walking out from behind the main desk. They must have been questioned. Her mom and dad stopped at the desk and talked with the loser filling out paperwork.
    Zoey's mom went up and gave Macy's mom a hug. Alyssa burst into tears, and the women held each other. "Oh, Valerie. I can't believe this is happening."
    Zoey looked away, afraid of crying herself.
    Alex sat down next her. His eyes were red and puffy.
    "You okay?" Zoey asked, feeling stupid. Of course he wasn't.
    "They have, like, a million questions. They're acting like Macy's dead." He shook his head and took a deep breath.
    "She's fine. You know how tough she is. I'm sure it's like her update said. She wanted to get away from everything."
    Alex shrugged. He looked into her eyes but said nothing.
    Zoey looked over at their parents. They were talking with each other, paying no attention to the two kids. She put her hand on top of Alex's. He flipped his hand over and laced his fingers through hers.
    "I don't know what I'll do if anything happened to her." He cleared his throat. "I couldn't—I mean, what would I do?" His eyes shone with tears.
    "She's going to be okay." She squeezed his hand. "She is. You know what? She's probably off having the time of her life with Jared, with no clue what she's putting us through."
    He nodded. "I hope. When she gets back, I'm gonna beat the crap out of her."
    "Alex. We're leaving," Chad called.
    He squeezed her hand before standing. They held their eye contact, their fingers lingering also. Before Alex reached his parents, he mouthed, "Call me."
    Zoey nodded.

 
     
    Identity
     
     
    A thud woke Macy up. She opened her eyes, confused.
    "I see you've made yourself comfortable."
    The trap door was open, and she could see her captor staring down at her.
    "Do you want something to eat?"
    She sat up, nodding. "And something to drink."
    He laughed. "I'll bet you're thirsty after moving those bales around. I'll get you something, but you have to do one thing for me, Heather."
    Heather?
    "What?"
    "Call me Dad."
    Dad? Had he lost his mind? Then she remembered in the truck, he said something about her looking like his Heather. "Why?"
    "Because, Heather. I'm your dad. I need to hear you call me Dad."
    "Tell me your real name and I'll think about it."
    He glared at her. "You know my name, Heather. It's Chester Woodran."
    Chester? His name was Chester ? No wonder he was such a jerk. With a name like that, he'd have to be mean to get any respect.
    "Well?" He narrowed his eyes.
    "You're not my dad! And I'm not Heather."
    He shook his head. "See. That's exactly why I need you to call me Dad. As soon as you do, you'll get your food and water. One more chance."
    "Never."
    "I'll come back and see how agreeable you are later." The trap door slammed shut, and she heard the same click as before.
    Was that why Chester had taken her? Had something happened to Heather, and he was trying to use Macy to replace the girl? If he thought she was going to call him Dad, he had another think coming.
    Tears poked at her eyes as she thought about her family. Did they know she was missing? She wasn't sure how long she'd been gone, but since she had sneaked out of the house, they wouldn't have found out until the morning. Maybe not even late morning, if it was one of those days when her parents let her sleep in.
    Even if they did know she was gone, would they know where to look for her? She had to be several states away, if not more. Would her friends have figured out that something was wrong? She had told her closest friends