Responses
Knowing that this story set in the 1970's and there's an issue about homophobia. They probably just had a misunderstanding or maybe broke up(?) that causes gene to run away. We all know how there story started anyway, Gene running away from his home to pursue a diff life. Maybe something happened and he left. Besides i don't sense any death or sad ending in this story (idk, perhaps i just want to give myself hope also).
I hope he comes back. Idc if they dont end up together, i just want to know he's alive.
I believe Gene is alive. He probably just ran away. I do have faith in this story and the author, i had a feeling that there will be a surprise by the end of it.