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“She called you because you are the only person that we could think of that she would run off to. She trusts you, Theo.”
None of this makes any sense. Who would come into their home and take Bella? Stuff like this doesn’t happen often in our town. Our people band together and protect our own.
“The police are on their way. We need to have a picture ready for them to distribute.”
He walks into the kitchen and takes a photo off of the fridge. “This is the most recent one we have.”
The sirens are closing in and we step outside, meeting the officers on the lawn. They are going to have questions. As hard as it is, they have to ask the hard ones because some kidnappings are staged. I hope they are prepared for what’s coming.
I can’t leave them like this. Or Bella. How the hell am I supposed to focus on work today with her missing? I pull out my phone and click on the chief.
Me: I can’t make it in today. Bella is missing and I have to help find her.
He will understand. Besides work, she is the only thing that gives me joy. She’s a smart kid and after she ages out, I plan to help her. I might not be her father, but I’m the closest thing she has to one besides that man standing on the porch.
The police ask them questions trying to nail down a timeline of when she would have been taken while another goes inside and inspects the bedroom. If she was last seen there, and there is no evidence of a break-in, then the only assumption is whoever took her came in through the window. Do they not lock those at night?
I try not to question their parenting skills out loud because that could cause a rift and I don’t need anything fucking up the mentorship I have with Bella. So I keep my mouth shut and just try to be supportive.
Once they are done with the questions, she sits down on the porch step and her husband tries to console her. She might not be Bella’s real mom, but she has had her long enough to have a bond.
When I look up, a car comes down the street, pulls over and turns off their lights. What in the hell? That isn’t suspicious at all. I wait to see if anyone gets out, but nothing. I’ve heard of kidnappers coming back to the scene to see the disarray it leaves the family in. Could that be the kidnapper? I calmly walk inside and tell one of the police officers about the strange vehicle.
“I’ll check it out.”
He walks out onto the street and approaches the vehicle. I can’t make out what he’s saying, but the driver steps out and… Felicity? What in the hell is she doing here?
I run across the grass. “She’s with me, officer.”
He turns around. “You sure?”
“She’s my girlfriend. Sorry.”
Felicity tilts her head at the word girlfriend. We haven’t actually labeled what we are yet, but whatever.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, taking her hand in mine and walking closer to her car.
I find it slightly odd that she is here right now.
She starts fumbling with her hands.
“Felicity, why are you here?”
19
FELICITY
There are so many answers to that question, but I choose the most obvious for him to believe and understand.
“I’m the one that took the call. Do they have any leads?”
He shakes his head. “It looks like they came in through her window while they were asleep.”
“Wait, why are you here?” My forehead crinkles.
“I mentor her. It’s a thing I do.” His shoulders shrug. “Her foster mom called me. Thought maybe she came to my house or something. I wish that was the case so at least I know she was safe.”
The way he talks about her, they must be close. Of course he would be bonded with Bella.
