Lies Never Sleep

by Stacy Claflin

  “We would have,” Ms. Johnston said. “But he improved enough to pass the class and move on to the next level this year.”

  “Yet he still needs tutoring?” Morgan asked.

  The teacher nodded. “It’s a real struggle for him.”

  “What about the necklace?” Lila blurted out.

  Ms. Johnston pressed her palm against her chest. “Pardon me?”

  Morgan held her gaze, knowing she hadn’t forgotten already. “The necklace with an SJ charm in Atlas’s desk. It smells like a woman’s perfume.”

  She cleared her throat. “I don’t know what to tell you about the necklace, but I lost a bottle of perfume from my classroom not long ago. I didn’t want to accuse any students, but I never could find it. I thought maybe a girl took it who didn’t have money to buy her own. I hadn’t thought of a boy taking it, but maybe Atlas did.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  She took a deep breath. “I don’t know. He probably didn’t realize it was mine. Maybe he was going to give it to his girlfriend.”

  “His girlfriend?” Morgan asked. “Who is his girlfriend?”

  Ms. Johnston frowned. “I really don’t know. I’m not that involved in my students’ lives. He’s popular, so I just assumed he had a girlfriend. But like I said, I don’t even know if he took my perfume. It went missing, and that’s all I really know.”

  “You never reported it as stolen?” Lila took Morgan’s hand and squeezed.

  She shook her head. “No, I really didn’t think it was a big deal. If it was expensive, I wouldn’t have brought it to school with me.”

  Morgan didn’t buy it, but decided to play along. “But you were tutoring him? Wouldn’t it stand to reason that he would know it was your perfume? You had to have sat pretty close to him, right? And you spent a lot of time with him. He’d recognize the scent.”

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “Yes, I had to sit near him. That’s how it works. And as for us spending a lot of time together, it was because he wasn’t making too much progress, and none of the other teachers had been able to help him understand the concepts.”

  “Right.” Morgan made a mental note to contact the other math teachers to find out how much of the story was true. He’d had no idea his son, who was a whiz at computer programming, had so much trouble with math.

  Ms. Johnston glanced at the clock. “I really should be going. I need to call about my car.”

  “Big weekend plans?” Morgan asked.

  She rose. “I do hope you find Atlas.”

  Lila frowned at Morgan, then they followed Ms. Johnston to the door. She opened it for them. “I’d appreciate you calling me instead of showing up in the future.”

  “Will do.” Morgan started to step outside, but froze as something caught his eye. “What’s that?”

  “What?” Ms. Johnston looked at him with wide-eyed confusion.

  Morgan yanked a familiar blue bomber jacket from her coat rack. “This. It’s Atlas’s.”

  She clasped her throat. “No, it’s mine.”

  He pulled on the bottom and pointed out a hole. “This is from when we were chopping firewood. He held the axe the wrong way and it ripped it right here.”

  Ms. Johnston grabbed it from him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I got this from a consignment shop. You need to go. Now. And don’t contact me again. If I find anything out about the boys, I’ll let the police know.”

  28

  Atlas James

  * * *

  Atlas finished off the sandwich and shoved the plate aside. Despite his hunger and the fact that he was given his favorite foods, he was growing tired of them. Not that he really had any room to complain. Whoever was keeping him there didn’t have to feed him, much less foods he liked.

  He got up and paced, only able to see the shapes of the objects in the shed. What he wouldn’t give to get out. Maybe he needed to keep looking for a way out. What if there was something he’d missed before?

  Waiting for his captors to return was a waste of time. They only ever came when he was asleep. They were definitely watching him. That was the only explanation. It also meant they probably knew he wanted to fight his way out.

  But the bigger question was, why did they have him and what were they going to do with him? Was it someone who had something against him or Emmett? Or maybe Savannah’s ex-boyfriend? She’d mentioned that he was controlling and he hadn’t been happy about her dumping him. He might be even less happy about her hooking up with Atlas. She’d picked a high schooler over him, after all.

  He couldn’t help smirking, especially if that guy was the one behind all of this. That would explain how he knew about Savannah and why he’d want Atlas to out her. Not only would it make Atlas look bad for going back on his word to protect her, but it would get her into a lot of trouble. If the ex couldn’t have her, then no one could.

  But that didn’t explain Atlas being served his favorite foods. The ex would be more likely to starve him, wouldn’t he?

  Atlas paced more furiously, trying to figure it out. They weren’t the most popular kids in school by a long shot, but they got along with most people. Sure, there’d been that issue with Trevor last year, but he’d been pretty nice since the new school year started. And it was also a stretch to go from tripping someone in the halls to knocking them out and locking them in a shed.

  He looked around and shook his fist. “Who are you? And what do you want with me? What’s the point of all this?”

  Atlas waited, not that he expected a response. He’d probably never get an answer. He just needed to get away. Then none of it would matter anymore. He could go back to struggling in math and letting Savannah explain everything to him between kisses. Then in about eight months, after graduation, they could see each other openly. He would vehemently deny anything had happened while he was a student if anyone asked. Which they would. He wasn’t dumb enough to think otherwise.

  Something hit Atlas’s foot as he paced. He stumbled and the item flew forward.

  Atlas climbed onto all fours and felt around for it.

  The camera.

  His heart sank. What now?

  He crawled around, feeling for a note. Surely there had to be one since he hadn’t followed the directions last time. Not the way they wanted him to. He’d mentioned his girlfriend and said her name, but not in that order.

  There was no note. Not that he could find, anyway. After a few minutes, he stopped looking and turned on the camera. It lit up and showed the thumbnails of some pictures.

  He clicked over, and what he saw made his stomach lurch.

  The first picture showed Emmett, bloody and bruised. His clothes were torn and stained red.

  Atlas nearly dropped the device. His hands shook, but he kept it in his hold. He flipped through the next few pictures, which were more of the same.

  They’d threatened to hurt Emmett if Atlas didn’t comply.

  This was his fault.

  No! It was the captors’ fault. They had taken Atlas and Emmett from the asylum and locked them away. They were sadists. Criminals. Kidnappers. Evil jerks.

  There was one more picture. Atlas clicked over to it.

  It was a picture of a letter. They’d put the letter inside the camera. It looked like the other one with the same font, but a different message.

  * * *

  Atlas Morgan James,

  You didn’t follow the directions. Now your friend is hurt.

  Take this as your warning before things get worse.

  And they will, believe me.

  Make another video and out your girlfriend. No more secrets. Let the world know.

  Do this before someone really gets hurt.

  You have been warned.

  * * *

  Atlas’s heart thundered. He took slow, shallow breaths. His mind raced.

  No way was he going to out Savannah. But he also didn’t want to do anything that would get Emmett beaten again.

  That left him with o
ne option. He would have to play this carefully to make sure neither his girlfriend or best friend got caught in the crossfire.

  His captors had picked the wrong guy to mess with, and they would regret it. Sure, they had the upper hand, but Atlas had power. They hadn’t taken everything from him.

  He turned off the camera’s screen, then paced and considered every angle. There was still only one option that he saw. It would have to work.

  Atlas’s pulse pounded throughout his body at the thought of what he was about to do.

  He looked all around, still sure he was being recorded. “Hey, you! I know you’re watching, and I’m not playing your game. I don’t know why you’re so focused on my girlfriend, but she’s off limits! And so’s Emmett, for that matter. If you want to get to me, come and get me!”

  Atlas paused only for a moment before throwing the camera on the ground as hard as he could. Pieces flew out in all directions.

  “See that?” Atlas shouted. “That’s what I think of your threats! Guess what you can do with them!”

  He stepped on the camera. Then he jumped on it over and over, until it was completely unrecognizable.

  “If you have a problem with me, come and deal with me! No more games. I’m done.”

  29

  Rowena Powell

  * * *

  The waiting room was almost empty, except for a young mom with two screaming toddlers. Rowena was annoyed, but she also remembered those days. It was hard enough with one, much less two.

  A nurse opened a door and stepped out. “Mr. and Mrs. Powell.”

  Rowena glanced over at Zion before they both rose and followed the woman down a hall and into a room. She indicated for them to sit, then glanced at a file. “You have questions about your son?”

  “Yes,” they said in unison.

  “I’m not sure what the doctor can tell you, but you’re welcome to ask questions. He’ll be in shortly.”

  Rowena struggled to keep her thoughts to herself. Of course they could ask questions! Emmett was their son. Still a minor. They had rights.

  “Thank you.” Zion nodded to the nurse as she left.

  “How can you be so calm?” Rowena asked.

  “We don’t have another choice.”

  She lifted a brow. “Meaning?”

  “Privacy laws don’t afford us much leeway. Our best bet is to be as cordial as possible.”

  Rowena stiffened. “He’s our son, and he’s missing!”

  “I’m aware of that, but none of that changes the laws. If we’re considerate, calm, and logical, we might actually get some information out of the doctor.”

  “How can they keep our son’s records from us?”

  “Privacy laws,” Zion repeated. “Same thing that protects our medical information from others.”

  “We’re his parents! It’s our job to take care of him. How can we do that if we don’t know vital facts?”

  Zion put his hand on her knee. “That’s why we’re here.”

  She drew in a long, slow breath. “Hopefully the fact that he’s missing will help.”

  “That’s why we need to remain calm—so he’ll be willing to tell us as much as possible. Trying to get a court order won’t be a quick or easy task, even with the given circumstances. If the judge doesn’t see this as vital to the case, he won’t sign anything.”

  Rowena closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. “The system is so messed up.”

  “There are reasons for everything, even if they’re challenging at times.”

  “Doesn’t make it less screwy.”

  “No, you’re right. But we still need to play by the rules.”

  Knock, knock.

  The door opened, and in walked a young woman in a white lab coat. “You must be Mr. and Mrs. Powell.” She shook Rowena’s and Zion’s hands. “I’m Dr. Chou. How can I help you?”

  Rowena jumped to her feet. “We need to know why you prescribed our son antidepressants.”

  Zion cleared his throat. “What my wife means to say is, Emmett has been missing for three days, and anything you tell us could be really helpful.”

  Dr. Chou’s eyes widened. “Missing?”

  Had she been living under a rock? Rowena bit her tongue and sat back down.

  “Yes,” Zion said. “He and his best friend disappeared two nights ago.” He filled the doctor in on the basic details. “And so, anything you can tell us about the reason behind the medication could potentially help us find him.”

  The doctor pulled up a chair and sat in front of Zion and Rowena. “As you may be aware, the law limits what I can tell you.”

  Rowena leaned forward and pleaded with her eyes. “But you can tell us something, can’t you? He’s missing. That’s more important than privacy.”

  Dr. Chou frowned. “I agree, but I’m not sure the law does.”

  Her heart sank. “You can’t tell us anything?”

  The doctor scooted closer and spoke in a quiet voice. “You didn’t hear this from me.”

  She was actually going to help them?

  Rowena nodded furiously. “Of course not.”

  “You have our word,” Zion said.

  Dr. Chou took a deep breath. “I really hope this helps. He came to me about a year ago.”

  Rowena clutched her heart. Her Emmett had been dealing with it for so long, and not once felt comfortable talking to her or Zion?

  “He was having trouble with schoolwork. Focusing. He lacked motivation for anything and didn’t care about things he normally did.”

  Rowena glanced at Zion. How had they not noticed any of that? Their son had been struggling right under their noses, and they hadn’t suspected a thing.

  “I suggested some natural remedies at first,” Dr. Chou continued. “More time in the sun, exercise, reducing processed foods, and journaling.”

  “Did he?” Zion asked.

  The doctor nodded. “But it wasn’t enough. He was still feeling the same way, though I could see he covered it up with joking and humor.”

  Rowena sighed. “Like father, like son.”

  Zion turned to her, but didn’t say anything.

  “So I prescribed him a low dose to start out with and encouraged him to continue the natural methods since he wasn’t heavily depressed.”

  Rowena thought about Emmett’s habits. “I don’t know about the exercise, but he never changed his diet. I always make healthy meals, but he fills up on soda, pizza, microwavable snacks, and that sort of thing. If we don’t buy them, then he does.”

  Dr. Chou nodded. “It’s not surprising. Those foods are addictive, and without a strong enough reason to quit, it’s often hard to stop.”

  Zion raked his hands through his hair. “So, what happened after you gave him the medication?”

  The doctor flipped through the pages in the file. “He came back and said it was helping, but he thought a stronger dose would help even more.”

  Rowena’s stomach twisted. “How strong did you go?”

  “I upped it just slightly. I’m of the belief that less is more. As you can tell by my initial recommendation which had nothing to do with medications.”

  “We appreciate that,” Zion said. “Did he ever tell you anything that might indicate where he would go if he wanted to disappear?”

  Rowena bit back a sharp comment. The video of Atlas made it pretty clear that the boys hadn’t gone away of their own accord, but that didn’t mean the doctor wouldn’t know something helpful.

  Dr. Chou flipped through the file again. “Emmett started enjoying acting again and managed to fall in love. He was happy, so I continued the dose, having him come in regularly to check in.”

  Guilt squeezed Rowena. She had to have been the worst mother on the planet not to have seen all of this happening in her own house. Asking the next question made her feel like a complete failure. “And did he stay happy?” How could she not know the answer about her own son?

  The doctor nodded. “I was even able to lower his dose recently.”


  “Wait.” Zion slapped his knee. “Do you know who he was in love with?”

  Dr. Chou glanced through the file again, then shook her head. “No names are mentioned. Why?”

  “He’s had a recent change in girlfriends. I’m curious if that played into it.”

  “The falling in love was fairly recently, if that helps.”

  Rowena and Zion exchanged a knowing glance. If it was recently, it had to be Violet. His best friend’s sister.

  “Do you have any other questions?” Dr. Chou asked. “I’m sorry to have to rush off, but I have patients waiting.”

  “I understand.” Zion shook the doctor’s hand. “We appreciate your time and your honesty.”

  She nodded. “I only hope it helps to find him. I’m deeply saddened to hear he’s missing.”

  They said their goodbyes, then Rowena and Zion headed back to the car.

  “That went better than I anticipated.” Zion started the engine. “I thought she’d stay tight-lipped.”

  “She’s obviously a good doctor—putting the patient’s needs above everything else.”

  They headed home in silence. Guilt plagued Rowena. How had she missed the fact that her son was depressed? Had she been so wrapped up in her work that she’d missed the signs? Or had Emmett hidden them that well? Both he and his father were masters at using humor as a deflection. She had always appreciated that about them, especially when she’d seen so many men use anger instead.

  Zion pulled into their driveway. “What now?”

  “I don’t know. We know the truth now, but how does that help us find Emmett?”

  “I wish I knew. Do you want to hand out those posters Brielle brought over?”

  “May as well. It beats moping around the house, even though it seems like everyone knows they’re missing. Now we know not everyone does. How did the doctor not know?”

  Zion shrugged. “Maybe she doesn’t watch the news or go on social media.”

  “Given that she suggested sunshine before medication, that wouldn’t surprise me.” Rowena reached for the door handle. “Let’s get out there and hand out fliers to everyone we can find.”