How did his parents feel during this time?

Chris's parents are distraught. At graduation, Chris seems happy, and implies that he’ll be traveling for the summer again, but leads his parents to think he’ll visit them in Annandale before he leaves. He doesn’t, and it is the last time they ever see him. As months and then years pass, the family’s worry is extreme, and Billie never leaves the house without leaving a note for Chris on the door. In July of 1992, Billie wakes up in the middle of the night, completely convinced she has heard Chris calling for her to help him.