We Go On

Chapter Nine

     Later on that same day, Maria, Samantha, Liam, Charlie, and Erick were texting in a group chat without Carter.

     "Should we be worried? She hasn't answered my texts and she's usually a good responder." -Maria 3:06 pm

     "I'm going to her house to see if she's there." -Charlie 3:07 pm

     "Me too" -Samantha 3:08 pm

    "Count me in" -Liam 3:08 pm

     "I'll be there" -Maria 3:08 pm

     "I'll meet you guys there" -Erick 3:10 pm

***

     Once everyone arrives at Carter's house, Charlie knocks on the door, waiting for someone to answer, but gets no response.

     "I just tried calling her, but I got sent straight to voicemail." Samantha says

     "Her mom's car is gone, so she's probably at work." Maria says

     Erick walks over to the end of the porch, moves a potted plant over, and pulls out the spare key. "Carter has to be here. Where else would she be?" he goes to the door and unlocks it.

     They all enter Carter's house, calling out her name, only hearing the sounds of their footsteps on the floor. There was mud all over the entryway and Carter's boots were covered in it.

     "Wasn't she wearing those yesterday?" Samantha asks

     "Where did they even go last night?" Charlie asks

     "Carter! We're here!" Liam calls out.

     Nothing.

     "Maybe she's sleeping." Erick says

     "This late in the day?" Charlie asks, sounding a bit concerned. He starts up the stairs and the others follow.

     Her bedroom door was open, they let themselves in. Instead of finding Carter, they walk into an empty room.

     "Carter." Maria says out loud.

     Nothing.

     They quickly notice her dirty, wet clothes on the floor and her phone on the bed. That's when the bathroom door swings open and everyone turns to see Carter walking out.

     Carter jumps when she sees them, clearly not expecting anyone to be in her house.

     "What are you guys doing here?" she asks them

     "You weren't answering your phone." Samantha says

     "Sorry, my phone died." Carter answers

     "How was it with Damon?" Liam asks

     Carter's heart started to race and her chest got tight at the mention of his name. "Oh, uh, it was okay." she says, knowing if she talked any more about Damon, she'd break down, and that's the last thing she wants right now.

     "What's that on your neck?" Charlie asks

     Carter quickly realizes her shirt is sliding off of her shoulder and pulls it back up. "It's nothing." she says

     "That nothing looks a lot like a massive bruise." Maria says, taking a step towards Carter to get a better look.

     Carter steps back, "I hit myself on the shelf in the bathroom when I was getting in the shower." she lies

     "Ouch, that looks like it hurts. Here, let me see. I get nasty bruises all the time." Erick says, walking towards Carter.

    "No, it's fine." Carter steps back again, this time bumping into her desk.