Mania Read Online Free PDF Page B

scrolled down the page. “Let me know if you see anything different.”
    He nodded and squinted as he stared at the screen.
    Midway down, I spotted an article from last month. “Here’s one.”
    Opening it, I skimmed through, reading the important parts aloud. “ Base used to be a central training hub for new Air Force pilots … it stood vacant and abandoned for so many years … ” Then I stopped and stared at the words.
    â€œWhat?” Addie asked, but I couldn’t find my voice to answer.
    Finn took over for me, sounding like he felt guilty for even speaking the words. “ Until an explosion rocked the base in the early morning hours yesterday. Initial reports indicate some kind of gas leak may have caused the explosion, but the investigation is ongoing. ”
    I swallowed hard and scrolled further down.
    Finn continued before I even had a chance to speak, and I was grateful. “ Reports have come in that bodies were found among the rubble, and it is believed that some of the local homeless population may have been using the base for shelter … ”
    I stared at the words. My dad could’ve been one of the bodies they found. They might have buried him a month ago with a plain marker and no name. The thought made me feel sick, and I pushed out my chair abruptly and got to my feet. My friends didn’t say a word as I walked past them and into the backyard.
    After a minute, Addie came out to sit with me. She slipped her hand into mine and sat in silence. I watched a family of bluebirds nesting in a tree a few feet away. They flitted about from branch to branch, chirping to each other—singing. It was nice. Soothing, somehow.
    â€œFinn finished the search.” Addie’s voice was soft and tinged with worry. “That was the only article written about the base in the last ten years.”
    â€œWhat if they found my dad and buried him somewhere?” I asked after thirty more seconds of silence, looking into her hazel eyes. “What if he has a grave and we can’t find him? We can’t visit … can’t mourn him right. No one had a funeral or showed up for him.”
    â€œYou both showed up.” Addie shook her head hard. “You and Jack tried to save him, and instead, he saved you. Don’t take the meaning of that away.”
    â€œI know.” I sighed and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. Addie rubbed her hand gently across my back. “I just wish there was somewhere I could go to feel close to him again. The base has been the only thing I had … and now, knowing they removed some of the bodies, I’m not sure it would feel the same anymore.”
    â€œYour dad didn’t sound like the type to stay in one place.” Addie rubbed the tips of her fingers across my knuckles as she thought. “Given the choice, he probably wouldn’t have wanted a grave anyway. Judging from the way he lived his life, he probably would’ve wanted to be scattered in the breeze somewhere.”
    I closed my eyes, feeling the truth in her words slightly mend my pain. Jack hadn’t answered most of my questions about our dad yet, but still, I knew this part was true.
    â€œAnd if you need a place to feel like you’re close to him … ” Addie leaned over, resting her head on my shoulder. “You figure out where you want that to be, and find your own way to say goodbye. You know we’ll all be there with you whenever you need.”
    I sat up straight and wrapped both of my arms around her, kissing her softly. “You know I love you, right?”
    â€œYou better.” She grinned up at me and winked. “I’m kind of awesome.”
    â€œYou’re extremely awesome.”
    â€œGlad you think so.” Addie tucked my hair back, then she kissed my neck lightly and my heart sped up. She whispered, “Because I love you back.”
    Finn cleared his throat from the doorway and