Believe It Or Not (An Eddie Munson Story)

Lost Boy

When I get back to the hotel room, the phone is ringing off the hook. I drop my bags to the ground and stumble over, trying desperately to catch it before it cuts off. When I pick it up, I'm panting slightly and I flop onto the edge of the bed.

"Hello?"

"Ripley! Hey, it's Gareth," his voice sounds slightly frantic and I freeze. Worry grips me and I place my empty palm against the mattress.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask, my voice already shaking. "Everything going alright?"

There is silence on the other line and then Gareth sighs.

"We think Tabitha was here," he says and my heart drops into my stomach. "Eddie has vanished. His ring was left on the sidewalk, but we have no idea where he could be."

My mouth feels like I've swallowed a fist full of sand and I gulp, trying to ease the ache in my throat.

"Have you called the police?" I ask, already heading towards the door.

"They've already been here," Gareth says. "They are out looking for him now. We are headed back to the hotel."

"Alright, I'll meet you in the lobby," I tell him before we hang up. As soon as I click off the phone, I run to the bathroom and vomit. The baby kicks angrily in my stomach as I hurl. My head spins and I rest my forehead against the wall when I'm done, breathing heavily. I flush and then rinse my mouth out, swishing some mouthwash quickly before I run out of the room.

Gareth and Jeff are walking inside with their manager, Joe, hot on their heels. When they see me coming down the steps, they race forward and hug me tightly. I relax slightly into their arms, trying not to cry.

"I'm so sorry," Joe says, coming up behind the boys with a concerned expression. "I had asked him to come outside with me. If I hadn't, she wouldn't have had a chance to corner him."

I pat his arm reassuringly.

"They called Barb and she confirmed that Tabitha had left for a trip early this morning. The Indianapolis police department has already been on the line with Hopper and they are working to get a warrant to search her house." Gareth tells me as we all move to sit in the lounge. I think they can sense that I don't want to go back up to my room, especially not without Eddie. Jeff asks an employee to bring me some water as they all crowd around me. Gareth hands me the cup they bought and I sip on it, trying to remain calm.

"We are also using all of the resources we have at the label." Joe says, patting my hand. I don't know what to say. My insides feel hallow and I want desperately to jump up from my chair and try to find him. I don't have the slightest idea where she would have taken him, though. A sudden thought dawns on me and I turn to Gareth and Jeff with an urgent expression.

"You said they called Barb, but have they spoken to Nancy?" I ask and they look at one another confused.

"Tabitha and Nancy aren't friends anymore." Gareth shakes his head. "They haven't been friends since Tabitha tried to sleep with Jonathan two years ago."

"Yea, but Nancy is still friends with Barb. Girls talk. I'm sure Barb has let a few things slip about Tabitha that may be helpful. She isn't going to tell the police everything if she's still friends with Tabitha, but Nancy doesn't have a shred of loyalty towards her. She'd turn her in herself if she could. We have to call her."

Gareth and Jeff share a look before they nod down at me. They help me up out of my chair and I waddle into the adjoining bar looking for a phone.

"Excuse me," the bartender huffs. "You shouldn't be in here if you're pregnant."