Read Held (Gone #2) for Free Online Page A

It was a tiny room with just a bed, a shelf, a desk, and small dresser. Obviously, they didn't have a wide variety of clothes, so a large dresser or a closet was unnecessary.
    Macy set a box on the bed and opened it. She gasped. Her teddy bear was on top. It was the one that she had had at home—her real home—that Chester had stolen and teased her with. How long would she have it back? Picking it up, she smelled it. It mostly smelled like the farmhouse, but when she breathed deeply, she could smell her home.
    Images of her room filled her mind. She heard a noise outside the room and stuffed the bear next to the pillow. Could she find a place to hide it so that Chester couldn't take it away again?

 
     
    Disagree
     
     
    As soon as school was out, Alex texted Zoey again. She hadn't texted him all day, and he needed to know what was wrong or if everything was okay. He had texted and called a bunch of times during lunch, but her phone had to have been off because it kept going to voice mail.
    He found an empty seat on the bus and sat by himself, hoping everyone would leave him alone. He was tired of all the questions about Macy. As if it wasn't bad enough that he had to deal with his sister's disappearance, he also had to put up with everyone's stupid questions and comments.
    He sent another text, and just as he hit send, someone sat next to him. He groaned, not caring if he hurt anyone's feelings.
    One of the jocks looked at Alex. "Hey, dude. Any news on your sister?"
    Alex jumped up. "You really think if there was, I'd just be sitting on the bus?"
    "Whatever." The jock shrugged and went to the back.
    Alex looked out the window, ignoring everyone else until he reached his stop. The house was empty. His dad had had to go back to work not long after Macy disappeared, and his mom often went out look for Macy or passing out fliers.
    After eating a banana, he threw his bag into his room and headed back outside. If Zoey wouldn't answer his texts, he'd go to her house.
    When he got to her house, only two houses away, Valerie answered.
    "Sorry to bother you, Ms. Carter. I didn't know you were home." Maybe that was why Zoey was ignoring him.
    "You're never a bother, Alex. I'm just working from home today. Zoey hasn't been feeling well and I wanted to keep an eye on her."
    "Is she okay?" He regretted the urgency in his voice, but he couldn't help it.
    "I think all the stress of the last month has finally caught up with her. You should take care of yourself too. The doctor gave her some vitamins to help with her energy. You might want to look into getting some if you're tired."
    He was already on anti-depressants, but he wasn't going to tell her that. He hadn't even mentioned it to Zoey. She probably wouldn't care, but it was still embarrassing. "I'll keep that in mind, thanks. Can I talk to her?"
    "I think so. She's locked herself in her room. Want me to check on her?"
    Zoey appeared around the corner behind her mom. "I'm up. Can I walk around the neighborhood with Alex? I bet some exercise and fresh air will do me some good. Right, Mom?"
    Valerie looked relieved. "I'm so glad you want to get out of the house." She gave Zoey a hug and then tousled Alex's hair. "I love that you two are still close, even with Macy missing. How are your parents, Alex?"
    He shrugged. "Still getting along, but upset about Macy. Sometimes I hear them crying when they think I'm not listening. It sucks."
    "I wish I could do something to make this better. I'm worried sick about Macy. If anything ever happened to my Zo, I don't—"
    "Mom, please don't." Zoey pushed her way around Valerie and stood next to Alex. "We won't go far, okay?"
    Valerie nodded, still giving him a look of pity. "Do you guys have someone making you dinner? I haven't heard from homeowners' association. They were the ones putting that list together.
    Zoey grabbed Alex's arm. "Mom, if they need you to make dinner, they'll ask."
    Alex nodded. "After everyone from the HOA made our meals,