Chapter 6: Bricks and Memories

I went downstairs to Dave’s apartment, trying to act normal. His place was pure nostalgia—a faded Cubs pennant over a TV that looked older than me, the air thick with burnt coffee and bacon grease. We made small talk, but my mind was racing. The building was set to be demolished soon. Dave was moving out, though he hated to leave.

I asked about renovations in the building. Dave rubbed his chin. "After you left, there was some wall repair... I don’t remember exactly when..."

My thoughts spun. Had Lily been walled in during repairs? I barely heard Dave talking. When my coffee was gone, I finally said, "Dave, can you do me a favor?"

He frowned, but then grinned, "C’mon, Mike. You know you don’t have to ask."

I wanted to spill everything—to tell him I needed to find Lily, even if it was just her remains. Instead, I forced out, "Come with me to break open that wall. Don’t ask why."

My voice was raw, but Dave just nodded. We grabbed some tools and went upstairs. The old building was empty, no one to stop us. We smashed through the plaster, following the crack where I’d found the hair clip. Bricks and dust everywhere, but no sign of Lily. Not a scrap of clothing, not a bone. Just emptiness.

Dave let the sledgehammer hang at his side. He wiped his brow, then put a hand on my shoulder. We stood in silence, both of us defeated, not knowing what to say.