It passes through Connor’s mind that if she were that worried she’d have come home to check on him, make sure he was safe. One of his best friends has disappeared off the face of the planet, for God’s sake. At the very least she could have nipped home yesterday. Given him a hug, but no, she won’t leave Kieron alone in hospital, not even for an hour. She probably wouldn’t give a toss if Connor was the one who was ill. The one who was missing. Bitterness trickles down his throat as he swallows his anger down. He loves Kieron and understands she won’t leave his side but he needs her too right now. Tyler has vanished into thin air.

It’s scary.

‘I’ll give Mum a ring while I make some dinner and let her know that you’re safe, but can you get in touch with her too?’ Aidan asks.

‘Yeah, I’ll text her but I’m not hungry.’ Connor’s stomach is so tightly clenched he can’t face the thought of food.

Instead, he goes on to Facebook as soon as his dad leaves the room. Pinches the soft skin on the inside of his thighs hard as Hailey’s profile picture loads slowly via their sluggish Wi-Fi. Her fringe, her green eyes, her bright smile. When Connor sees her, he is sad and happy at the same time. He reaches out a finger and traces her cheek.

Cold.

Hard.

She’s gone. His bright and beautiful girlfriend is gone. He can’t help torturing himself. Scrolling through her photo albums. There are photos of her and her dad at a zoo, standing in front of a cage, monkeys hanging from the bar behind them. Pictures of her and Connor smiling up at the camera, his arm stretched upwards as he takes a selfie. It brings him both comfort and anguish to see her but he can’t stop himself. He wonders if Facebook removes profiles if they are inactive for a period of time. He’s scared they might. He scrolls down the posts. The most recent one was made by Amber – a photo of the two girls with their arms looped around each other’s neck, shrieking with laughter, unaware the photo was being taken.

I miss you babe!! X Amber had written. Further down there are a stream of similar posts. The ‘OMGs’ and the ‘how tragics’. Most written by kids who hadn’t ever talked to Hailey before. The same ones who make a show of ignoring Connor in class as though they care. The same ones who think it’s funny to tape printouts of stills from the I Know What You Did Last Summer movie. Gouge words into the wood of his desk.

I know.

It isn’t funny.

Tossers.