Gone (Gone, #1)

by Stacy Claflin

Sitting in his warm truck across from the park, Chester Woodran watched her walk across the open field.

Macy Mercer sat on the swing, clutching the cold, metal chain. Soon she’d meet Jared, the sweet and adorable boy she met online.

Ducky is the pet ferret you got not too long ago. After your cat died, right? Snowflake, right? And 256 is your student number

Alyssa Mercer finished putting on the final touches of mascara, and then stood back to look at herself before nodding in approval. She looked good, and she knew it. She was going to make everyone at the gym jealous again. No one ever thought she could be the mom of two teenagers, and that’s the way she liked it. When she was out with them, she was often taken for their sister.

Chad Mercer was typing at his typical 120 words per minute when there was a knock on the door. He ignored it. His family knew to leave him alone when the door was closed.

He was popular online. People loved him. Unlike at home, where no one appreciated him.

She also knew that anyone who needed to control others was actually scared and weak, despite their actions.

abusers and bullies being scared little boys and girls deep down. People who were happy and confident didn’t treat people bad.

her kids annoyed her with their selfishness and lack of responsibility, but they were teenagers. Being moody and messy was practically in their job description. Alyssa hadn’t forgotten being a teenager. Why couldn’t she be more understanding? She had always promised herself that she wouldn’t turn into her mom.

Why hadn’t he taken some time to get to know her, instead of always trying to change her?