The Stillness After Midnight

The sun peeked through the bedroom curtains, casting soft shadows throughout as it gently warmed the room. Steve was slowly waking up. He turned to his right and reached over with his left hand to hug his wife. His arm reached out, but it landed on the empty space next to him instead. He tried again and again. He reached out with an outstretched arm to the other side of the bed, his hand brushed against the cold, empty, undisturbed sheets beside him. His eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed as he blinked away from the haze of sleep. He sat upright. The bed was empty, her pillow untouched, and an uncomfortable quiet filled the room.

He began to wake up and wondered why his wife was not there. He looked out the window, and the sun had just risen, he realized it must have been about dawn and that Susan should have been there next to him. He reached for his watch and saw that it was 5:45 AM. He thought perhaps she was downstairs having an early breakfast. He lumbered out of bed, his movements sluggish. Rising, he made his way down the stairs, the faint creak of each step breaking the silence that filled the air. His hand gently held the railing for balance. The silence of the house became deafening. A sense of dread ran through his bones, which he tried to ignore. Hoping for signs of Susan, he did not make a noise. His breath drew quicker and shorter. He made his way to the kitchen and saw no one, nor did he hear any sounds from the ground floor. He paused to listen and realized no sounds were coming from anywhere in the house. He rushed upstairs, grabbed his phone, and checked for any missed calls or messages. To his dismay, there were none.

His heart beat faster and his breath shortened.

He then phoned her immediately; the phone went directly to voicemail. He said with a worried voice, “Baby where are you? Please call me right away.”

Steve had built a life most would envy, a hard-working individual, and a marriage to Susan, a woman whose beauty and wealth turned heads wherever they went. They had gotten married just over six years ago. Steve was a tall man, physically fit, and quite handsome. He had dark hair and had a warm face. His features were prominent and well-proportioned. His jaw was strong with strong cheekbones. He had a good sense of humor. Both he and Susan were well-liked and respected by their friends. He had come from very humble beginnings but worked hard in school and became a successful businessman in his own right. His wife, Susan, had a very different upbringing; her family had been wealthy for many generations. Susan’s great-great-grandfather had made a good fortune in oil during the turn of the century. She came from ancient money, and she got anything she wanted. She was also a striking woman, with long dark silky hair. Her skin was flawless, and looked as if she had never had a hard day in her life. Her smile lit up any room, and she was very liked and respected.

Steve rushed downstairs and looked for any signs of her. He looked over the kitchen and saw one note on the fridge. It stated, “Steve, don’t wait up. I am off with Samantha, and we will be late.”

He held the note; his hand lingered as he slowly put it back on the fridge. He looked at the clock and saw that it was now a little after 6 A.M. He decided to take a shower and then get some breakfast. He would call Samantha a bit later. He then thought about it and decided to send an SMS. He wrote, “Sam, when you get up, call me. Susan did not come home last night, and I am worried!”

Steve made his way to the shower. He was soon interrupted by the phone ringing. He rushed out of the shower and into the next room to grab the phone, “Hello, Samantha?” replied Steve.

“Hi Steve, I just got your text. I left a bit early, and she was fine. I mean, the last I saw her, she was ok.”

“Hmmm, so you left at different times?” asked Steve with a concerned voice.

“Usually we leave together but sometimes she gets tired or I get tired and we leave a bit earlier, it does not mean anything.”

“Yes, but she did not come home. “

“I am sure she ran into some friends and she had one too many and probably stayed over at a friend’s house.”

“That is true,” paused Steve, “Was anyone else around …Patty?”

“No, Patty was not there and none of the old gang.”

“So, who was she with?”

“Honestly, I don’t remember the names, there was a Mike and a Sara, they seemed very nice.”

“Was she flirting with Mike?” asked Steve.

“Not really. Come on, you know her better than that.”

“Look, honestly, it is very unusual. I am worried. This is the first time that there has not been a message from her.”

“Did you call her?”

“Yes, of course, many times, but it goes straight to her voicemail. Either she is out of charge or she has turned off her phone.”

“Well, it is very early, if she did stay over at a friend’s, she probably would not wake for a while. I am sure she is fine. You should hear from her soon.”

“You are probably right. Look, if you hear anything, just call. Thanks.”

“I will,” said Samantha then paused and added, “She will call soon, I’m sure.”

Samantha hung up and looked at her phone for any missed calls or messages from Susan. She did not see any, she became quite concerned and began dialing Susan.

The phone rang and immediately went to voicemail, “Susan, it’s Sam, I just spoke with Steve, we are both concerned, call us both back as soon as you can.”

She hung up.

Samantha, a young,thirty-four-year-old turned heads effortlessly. Her dark silky locks flows over her shoulders. She keeps very fit and has been good friends with Susan for years. She first crossed paths with Susan during their college years, where they shared many laughed and late night adventures. Both had come from a wealthy background, but their connection was rooted in more than privilege. She is a dark brunette with an olive complexion. She has had many relationships but has never settled down. Possessing a very sharp wit, she has many friends. Most are men.

Samantha picked up the phone and called Patty. The phone rang and kept ringing, and after about six rings she was about to hang up, then she heard a click.

“Hello,” responded Patty rather groggily.

“Patty, are you ok?”

“What time is it?” said Patty as she rubbed her eyes.

“Sorry, it is early, but Susan is missing. Have you heard from her?”

“No,” she sat up and replied, “Are you serious?”

“Yes, it seems she did not come home last night and Steve has not heard from her since yesterday,” explained Samantha.

“What did you guys do last night?”

“Well, I was out with Jake and she said she was out with me,” responded Samantha frankly.

“Again…”

“Yes, I thought it was just a fling but they have been going for a while.”

“Do you have his number, can you call him?”

“I never met him, I just know his name is Bob or something like that.”

“This is not right. Steve does not deserve this,” said Patty.

“Well Steve is no saint and they have not really been good together for over a year now, so no one is really to blame or they are both equally at fault,” added Samantha.

“I hope she is ok and will turn up soon, I am worried though it is not like her to not show up at home. I am going to call some friends to see if they heard from her,” explained Patty.

“Sure, I will do the same, let’s touch base in about an hour.”

“Agreed, but if you hear any good news or bad news or any news, I want to hear immediately.”

“If I hear anything I will call you and you do the same. I am sure she is alright somewhere. I hope she is.”

“I hope so too.” Patty paused and then repeated, “I hope so too.”