When we got to my house, it took me longer than it should have to step out of the car. I didn't think I would ever be in the backseat of a police car, and there I was, not wanting to get out.

Paxton held me close until I began walking to my front door.

There, on the front porch steps, Millie was sitting with her legs up to her chest. She jumped up when she saw us arrive.

"What the hell, Kerri?! Pax texted me. I was so worried," she said as she began coming down to meet us halfway.

"Miss Hayes," I turned around to face Officer Cruz as he called me, his voice strong and unwavering.

"Yes?" my voice trembled. Pax loosened his grip on me. I thought I would collapse but managed to keep both my feet on the ground.

"I understand that you seem to have a strong bond with Kimi Allen and that her disappearance might be affecting you. However, it is my responsibility to let you know that you need to let the authorities take care of it."

"I-- I'm sorry. I heard the name of the park, and my feet bolted into action," I explained.

"I'm not surprised at how you ran to Kimi's rescue or how you handled Andrea. There are things you might not understand about this situation, Kerri-Ann."

"What things?" I asked.

"You're young. I know you'd do anything to help. But for the safety of all of you and Kimi's well-being, you need to let us do our job," he said lastly, ignoring my question.

The apprehension in his eyes released a wave of calm towards me. There was something he couldn't tell us. I didn't dare ask further. His expression fought to hide the vulnerability and empathy in him. All I knew, in that instant, was that he was as invested as us in finding Kimi.

A small, faltering smile poked at my mouth. Cruz smiled kindly and nodded before heading inside to deliver the bad news to Marjorie.

Arms surrounded me from behind. I looked down to see the rings and the cyan colored nails of Millie. A chuckle left me as I turned around to face her hug.

"You guys can't scare me like that. Like, ever," her voice was muffled by our embrace. "I ran here as soon as I got Paxton's message."

"You ran?" Pax asked behind her, a playful smile on his lips.

"Yeah, it was more like a jog, but I made it." she laughed then looked at me again.

"I'm okay," I said, knowing the question in her head.

She nodded, "I'm sorry about Kimi. Pretty sure they'll find her soon."

"I hope so," I said.

"Come on, let's get you inside," Millie pulled my arm to lace it with hers as the three of us walked together into the house.

●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

The next morning, I woke up to find Millie sleeping beside me. It warmed my heart. She was also like another sister to me. Knowing she was with me gave me peace. We used to do sleepovers often, so it wasn't a rare sight. She was no stranger to my home, just like Paxton. The circumstances of this sleepover, though, were much direr.

"Buenos días, mi loquita preferida," she said groggily, calling me her favorite crazy person.

I laughed, "I thought I had outlived that nickname."

"After the stunt you pulled last night? It's yours forever, baby," she finger-gunned me playfully.

My phone pinged on my night table with a message from Pax.

Knowing you two, I'm guessing you're still in bed. I'm buying brunch. Be there in a bit.

I smiled at the message, dropped back down to my pillow, and rolled to face Millie. Shifting to her side, she finally opened her green-honey eyes. Her soft, bouncy curls were everywhere at this time of day.

"How are you feeling, chica?" she asked.

I sighed, "I'm holding up. I have this strange feeling in my chest like I need to run out and find Kimi myself, though."

"Yeah, but you heard that policeman... you need to stay back."

"I know, I know, but what if they don't find her?"

"They will. Have faith."

We were quiet for a while, just thinking and enjoying the company. Until Millie spoke up, "You know what? We need to focus on something else while this gets solved. The Festival starts in two weeks. We should fix the final details of our trip!"

I groaned, "I don't even know if I want to go anymore."

She gasped, "Uh-uh, no way are you bailing on me, Kerri-Ann Hayes. We've been planning this for months. Can't back down now."

The next half hour we spent talking about the Festival. Millie reminded of all the things we already had settled for it and the few minor details we had to figure out once Pax arrived with brunch. When he arrived, we ate and spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about the Festival and whatever other random things that came up in conversation.

That evening I started getting anxious again, like clockwork. The tips of my fingers tingled as I heard my friends' voices far away. Flashbacks of yesterday's scene in my living room crossed my mind. I saw Paxton leave the room and return a few minutes later with some snacks and water. There was something else he brought in the form of a worried expression on his face.

My mind focused on him. Millie's voice kept sounding far off when I interrupted her.

"What happened, Pax?" I said.

"Huh? Did you even hear what I was saying?" Millie complained.

"Sorry, Mill. I spaced out," I frowned at her then focused back on Paxton. "Did something happen?"

He gulped, "Marjorie is downstairs."

My eyes felt like they wanted to pop out of my head. I bolted out of my room and downstairs. Following the sound of voices led me to the dining room. Marjorie was sitting at the head of the table. My mother was to her side, holding her hands. Dad was in the kitchen, preparing some tea. He met my eyes when I walked in, and I caught his head shake a bit before frowning.

My mother looked up from where she was consoling Marjorie.

"What happened?" I asked as I walked carefully to the seat across from my mother.

"Oh, Kerri," Marjorie grabbed my hand tightly when I was close enough while I sat down on the opposite side of her. She began sobbing. I felt desperate to know what was going on.

My mom cleared her throat, "Officer Cruz came by to let her know that the preliminary investigation has concluded. Since it's already been twenty-four hours, Kimi has been reported officially as a missing person."

Feeling lightheaded, I leaned back on my chair.

"We don't know details for sure yet, honey. Police say they continue to investigate," my mom answered.

Dad arrived at the table, setting steaming cups in front of Marjorie and mom, "Want some chamomile and lemon tea, sweetheart?" he asked, looking at me.

I nodded. Turning my focus back to mom, I said, "I'm confused, though."

"Hmm?" both women looked up as Dad placed a cup in front of me and went to sit beside mom with his own.

"Could she have gotten lost? Or--" I couldn't bring myself to saying it.

"There is a possibility that she may have been... abducted. But we can't know for sure," Dad spoke carefully.

At the word abducted, Marjorie buried her head in her hands and sighed. She tried to keep her composure, but she was affected. Her light caramel hair was up in a messy ponytail. Her hazel eyes looked sad and tired with bags under them.

A shiver ran down my spine. "Abducted? You mean kidnapped?"

"As I said, it's a possibility, even though it's not confirmed. But considering there are no traces of where Kimi might've gone, it's one of the top options on the table."

I breathed deeply, holding back tears.

"What about the volunteer that also went missing? Any leads on that person?" I asked.

"No leads that we know of," Mom answered.

"The volunteer is a 'she,'" Marjorie finally spoke up. We all looked at her, confused.

"What do you mean?" asked my Dad.

"That's the only lead we have. The volunteer is a young woman who the kids called 'Miss Macy.' Kimi always mentioned her," she explained.

My memory brought me back to the day before and how Andrea talked about playing games with Miss Macy and Kimi before the accident happened. Questions started bursting into my mind. Who is she? How does she look? Did she take Kimi? Or somebody took them both?

Right there, I decided there was no way I could sit still. I took a deep breath, hugged Marjorie tight, and stormed up to my room with a cup of calming tea and new plans to make with my friends.