“1 NEW VOICEMAIL”

I unlock my phone and check my voicemail.

“Dear Alex. I am sorry. I wish it hadn’t come to this. However, I can’t do this any more. I have accepted the fact that I am weak and will never be good enough for you or anyone else. All I ever wanted to be was good enough for you and my family. But nothing I do ever works. However, I am sorry. This will be the last time you ever hear my voice. I’ve decided I am going to go through with my plan. Please remember that I love you and that you’re an amazing person. I couldn’t have made it this far with out you. However, thank you. I wish I was stronger but I am not. I am sorry things had to end like this.”

As Taylor voice mail ends, sheer panic sets in. Did she mean the plan that I thought she meant? The one where she kills herself. Shes explained to me a couple of times how she would do it, if the time ever came and she felt like she had to do it. She had it well elaborated and planned to a T. She had every single little detail planned out. I never thought she would ever actually do it though. I knew she had issues and I always tried to help her through the rough times. But I didn’t think it had gotten this bad.

As more panic builds up. I look at the time of the message and the time right now. Its only be ten minutes. I try calling her back twice as I start racing to my car which is parked right outside my house. I know she only lives a block away from me, but It would still be quicker to take the car. Id like to say I’m a half decent runner, But I’m no athlete that’s for sure.

After no answers when i called Taylors phone, the panic i had building up inside of me increased with every passing moment. As i hit the gas, the tires made a loud sqreaching noise. A lady walking down the street turned her head in my general direction with concern on her face. However, at this point i did not care what people thought. I just wanted to know that my baby girl was safe and sound. I tried for a third time to call Taylor, but still no answer.

As my Ford pick up truck raced down the block at 70km hr. I tried to look ahead to see if any vehicles were at Taylors house. Hoping that maybe, just maybe, her parents or brother would be home. Even a friend. Anything. Anyone. I didn’t even know where to start look for Taylor. I just figured her house would be a good start. However as i got closer, i could only see Taylors small Tyota car in the drive way.

As my truck wheels squilled to a stop. I immediately jumped out of the truck and started running to Taylors front door. As I ran by her car, it was clear to see that someone had egged the car. She also did a horrible parking job when she pulled in, which is very rare for her. Over the last five years of us dating, i have learned that Taylor is very OCD about stuff like that. Everythings got to be just perfect. And knowing Taylor, the spare key should still be under the rug outside. However once i get to the door, i notice that it was slightly open. Enough to slide a sheet of paper between the door and its frame.

Fear and worry build as I swing the front door open. I barge in screaming Taylors name. Nothing. Nothing but dead silence. I start to check all the rooms downstairs. Everything looks normal. The living room is spotless as always. The kitchen was spotless, minor a few dishes that were used this morning from breakfast. All but one dinning room chair was pushed in. The daily paper folded up nice and neat from where Taylors father left it. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I start for the stairs in hopes that I will find her upstairs. I go straight to her bedroom. Once inside, I notice immediately that it is a mess. Posters were torn off the walls. Clothes were tossed everywhere. Drawers were open and one was sitting on the floor. This is defanetly not like Taylor. Like her other family members, Taylor likes to be organized and clean. She doesn’t like when something is out of place or not in its proper place. This cant be good.

As I turn around to leave her room I notice the bathroom door is closed. As well, Shadow, Taylors cat, was scratching and pacing in front of the door. I could tell that something was wrong. Shadow seemed very off. Could Taylor be in there? Shes got to be. Please!

I reach for the door knob to open the door to the bathroom and…

Chapter 2

6 Month Earlier

"Hey, Taylor, wait up!" I hollar at Taylor as I see her leaving her grade 12 math class. Head hung low, books clutched to her chest. As I continue to walk in her direction, she seems to either not heard me or is ignoring me. I change my walk into a light jog to catch up to her. Im assuming she got her midterm back from her professor today. She mentioned that they would be getting it back some time this week but wasnt sure exactly when. She’s been struggling a lot with her studies this year. She had honors in grade 10, then things slowly started to decline and plumit to the ground. What use to be 90’s or high 80’s, turned into low 60’s and 50’s with