Chapter 56 FIFTY-SIX
Ravena groaned as her phone rang, cutting through her sleep. With her eyes still closed, she fumbled around her bed until her hand found it. She brought it to her ear and yawned.
"Hello?" she said.
"Ravena, I found the phone’s location!" Mielle’s excited voice came through. Ravena’s eyes snapped open, and she sat up quickly.
"What? You found it? Where?" she consecutively asked, her heart racing while clutching the phone tightly.
"I’ll send it to you now," Mielle replied. Nodding as if Mielle could see her, Ravena stood up and put on her jogging pants.
"Thanks, Mielle. I owe you," she said softly before getting ready. Ravena put on her shirt and left the room. She found her parents sitting in the living room.
"Where's Raven?" she asked.
"He went to check the hotel," Cecil replied with a heavy sigh. "He's hoping Brienne will be there, waiting for him," she added, her heart aching for both her son and Brienne. Why do they have to suffer? Why can't they just be happy?
"That fool has lost it," Ravena muttered, shaking her head. "Dad, I need to borrow your car. I have to go after him," she added. Arthur handed her the keys and looked her in the eye.
"Be careful, and call me if you need help," he said.
Ravena nodded, then hurried out of the house. She climbed into the car, ready to leave, when the passenger door suddenly opened. She turned, surprised to see Carter slipping into the front seat beside her.
"What are you doing?" Ravena asked, raising an eyebrow in question.
"You're going after Raven, aren't you? I want to help," Carter replied firmly. His voice was steady, but there was a clear hint of urgency. Raven was his best friend, and Carter couldn’t stand by while his friend was suffering. He needed to be there, no matter what. Ravena sighed deeply, gripping the steering wheel.
"What about your duties here? Don’t you have responsibilities to take care of?" Her tone softened slightly, though her concern was still evident. Carter lowered his head, his expression somber.
"I already talked to Alpha Arthur," he said quietly, his hand balling into a fist. It wasn’t easy for him to leave, but this was something he had to do. "I also spoke to Natasha. She’s just as worried about Brienne as we are," he added.
Ravena glanced at him, studying his determined face. Carter clearly wouldn’t take no for an answer, and she understood. They were all worried, and Raven didn’t need to face this alone. After a pause, Ravena let out another sigh and turned the ignition. The car engine rumbled to life.
"Alright," she said, her voice softer now. "You can come," she added.
Carter looked up at her, relief flashing in his eyes. He leaned back in the seat, silently thanking her.
Raven sat on the bed and touched the sheet. It had been forty-eight hours since Brienne was taken away from him.
Janice had already called many times, yet he lied about Brienne's whereabouts, saying they were on vacation together. How could he tell her best friend the truth?
"Where are you, my darling?" he whispered. Raven deeply missed her. Thinking about what the kidnappers might do to Brienne terrified him even more. Raven lay on the bed and closed his eyes but was interrupted when the door burst open. Ravena walked in and looked at him.
"Are you even sleeping?" Ravena asked, noticing the dark circles under Raven's eyes.
"I was about to, but then you barged in. Why are you here anyway? Is there any news?" Raven asked, sitting up. Ravena smiled and held up her phone.
"Grab your things; Carter is waiting downstairs," she said. "Mielle just sent me Brienne's phone location," she added.
Without a word, Raven grabbed his jacket and rushed out of the room.
"Come on, sis. What are you waiting for?" he said, stepping into the elevator. Ravena sighed, massaging her temples, and quickly followed him.
Carter immediately spotted them, and they all left the hotel. Ravena drove, Raven sat in the front seat, and Carter was in the back. Ravena started the car and opened the maps.
During the ride, Raven was silent, his thoughts consumed by Brienne. He didn’t even notice when Ravena stopped the car.
"Raven, bro, we're here," Carter said, tapping his shoulder. Raven snapped out of his thoughts and realized they had arrived. He unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped outside.
"Did you find it?" Raven asked, scanning their surroundings. They were still on the road, with a forest lining the edge.
"I did," Ravena said, holding up a phone with a pink case. Its screen was cracked and wouldn’t turn on. Raven cursed in frustration.
"Can we search for clues? Ravena, I have to find Brienne," he pleaded, gripping his sister’s hand tightly. "Please, sis, I’m begging you," he added.
Ravena swallowed hard, the sight of her desperate brother squeezing her hand tugging at her heart.
"We’ll find her, okay?" she assured him. "Carter will take this side of the road, and the two of us will enter the forest that way," Ravena said, pointing to the forest in front of them.
"Got it," Carter replied.
"Let's go, Raven," Ravena said, and they started searching for Brienne. Ravena took the left side while Raven went to the right. Holding Brienne's broken phone, Raven was determined to find the love of his life. Yet, after an hour and a half, he found nothing—not even the slightest clue of where Brienne could be. Shoulders slumped, he walked back toward the car.
When Raven arrived, he saw Ravena and Carter deep in conversation.
"Ravena," Raven called softly. She turned toward him, and her face softened as she met his gaze.
"Rave, we couldn’t find her... not even a single clue," Ravena said, her voice heavy with regret. She lowered her head, guilt weighing on her. She felt ashamed for dragging her younger brother into this search, only to leave him clinging to false hope. Raven took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"Maybe we need to search further," he said, looking toward the endless road ahead. Determination flickered in his eyes. "Ravena, we can’t give up. We’ll follow this road and keep looking. I’ll drive," he added, his voice firm as he clenched his fists, channeling his frustration into resolve. He turned and headed back toward the car.
"Bro, let me drive," Carter offered, sensing Raven’s exhaustion. "You can sit in the front and rest," he added, his tone calm but supportive. Raven glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod.
Once everyone settled in the car, Carter started the engine. The air inside was thick with hope and worry. As the car rolled forward, they all silently prayed that they’d find even the smallest trace of Brienne’s whereabouts.