Look at me ~ Childe x reader ~

Chapter 40 FINAL ~ Gone Without a Sound ~

The moment I turned onto her street, a chill settled in my chest.

I'd been here countless times before. I could probably walk this route in my sleep, past the old stone mailbox at the corner, the narrow hedge-lined pavement.

But something felt... wrong.

The scenery hadn't changed, not visibly, at least. Her street was still tucked away in its usual quiet pocket of the city. The same terraced houses lined either side, their bricks warmed in the early morning light. The wind barely stirred the branches of the oak trees arching over the road.

And yet, the silence was deafening.

It wasn't the comforting stillness I usually associated with this place. No birdsong, no distant murmur of morning commuters, no footsteps echoing from the pavement. Just... stillness. Stretched too thin, too silent. The kind that made your skin crawl.

Something was off.

My pace quickened, then broke into a run. My shoes hit the pavement hard, the sound jarring against the oppressive quiet. As her house came into view, a strange sensation clenched in my chest, like my body already knew something my mind wasn't ready to accept.

I slowed as I reached her front door, breath coming in ragged gasps. My legs, once fuelled by panic, now felt leaden. My chest ached.

The door stood untouched. No damage. No broken lock. No sign of forced entry.

Everything looked too normal. Creepy normal.

My hand trembled slightly as I reached for the doorknob. But I didn't knock. I didn't hesitate.

I shoved the door open and stepped inside.

"Y/N?"

My voice cut through the quiet like a blade. But there was no reply. Not even the faintest sound of movement.

I moved through the house, room by room, calling her name.

Nothing.

The living room was tidy, the throw blanket folded neatly on the sofa, a mug still sitting on the coffee table with half a drink left untouched.

Her bedroom was made, the bedspread smooth and undisturbed.

Her shoes were lined up neatly by the door. Her phone sat on the kitchen counter.

Everything was in its place. But she wasn't.

I stood in the centre of her kitchen, heart pounding so loud I could hear it in my ears. My hands curled into fists as the weight of it crashed down on me.

She was gone.

No note. No message. No sign of struggle.

Just... gone.

I leaned on the counter, eyes burning, trying to keep my breathing steady. My mind was racing, replaying every conversation, every glance, every word she'd said last night.

She said she'd talk to me today. She promised.

Y/N wasn't the type to run. She wasn't the type to ghost people or vanish without warning. Something had happened.

And I let her walk away last night. I let her go home alone.

The guilt hit me like a punch to the stomach.

I slammed my palm against the counter, the sharp sound echoing through the silence.

I should have stayed. I should have ignored her protests, forced her to let me walk her home. I knew something was off, I felt it in my gut, and still I let her go.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away, jaw tight.

This wasn't just a disappearance.

This was calculated. Clean. Untraceable.

And it reeked of Touma.

I looked around the house one last time, hoping, begging, for some kind of clue. Anything. A message. A sign. A whisper of where she might have gone.

But the silence only grew heavier.

And the only thing louder than my own heartbeat was the sickening feeling that I was already too late.

She was gone.

And I had no idea how to find her.

⏝꒷︶ ͡𑁬🐳໒ ͡ ︶꒷⏝ ⏝꒷︶ ͡𑁬🐳໒ ͡ ︶꒷⏝ ⏝꒷︶ ͡𑁬🐳໒ ͡ ︶꒷⏝

AAAAAANDDDDDD that's a wrap for this book!!!

I want to start off by apologising for the delay !

Ik I've been very inactive but the chapter is here now!!

Your patience means a lot to meeee <333

This is the last chapter of this book !!

It's finally finished

I really really REALLY hope yall enjoyed it 🥰

Don't forget to voteeee

And lmk what you think in the comments ~~

I'll see you guys in my other book

~ Yo girl a/n 😋✨