STEPHEN

I DIAL THE NUMBER again running an agitated hand through my hair. She's suppose to be home right now. Going to the supermarket wouldn't take so long, would it?

Dialing Nathan's number I pressed the phone to my ear. He answered a few minutes later. When he said that Alia hasn't returned home after leaving panic surged through me. Where could she be?

I gripped the phone tightly in my hand exiting my office. Ignoring everyone else I walked into Michael's office.

"Did Alia say something about going to see her mother?"

"No, she said that she wasn't ready." He stood eyes catching mine. "What happened?"

"She's not home yet." I dialed her number again getting the same answer.

The phone is switched off.

"She probably got caught up somewhere."

I shook my head ending the call before calling her mom. She answered on the third ring giving me the same answer Nathan had. She hasn't seen Alia since last night.

My head snapped up as I heard Michael talking to Patrick. He frowned down at the table clicking the pen. When he hung up I gave him a questioning look.

"They haven't seen her."

"Something is wrong Michael." I swallowed feeling my stomach dip. "I can feel it, something happened to her."

We spend the next two hours calling everyone we could think of that may know where she is. We got the same question from everyone. Gathering my team I set out searching for her. As I passed a grocery store my eyes fell on her car. I hit the breaks making a u-turn ignoring all the other drivers.

Parking the car next to hers I got out walking towards it. The car is locked. Walking inside I scanned the aisle's finding her nowhere.

"Excuse me." I tapped the counter in front of the woman. "I'm looking for this girl, have you seen her?"

Holding up my phone I showed her the picture of Alia. She frowned then shook her head making my heart drop. Slamming my hand down I turned walking towards the exit.

"Hey!" Some man called from behind me grasping my arm.

I span around with a frown.

Pulling out my phone I held it up. "Have you seen her?"

"Yes." He nodded pointing to her car. "I was smoking when I saw her pull up. I went inside just as she paid and walked out."

"She left?" I frowned confused.

She left without her car? Why would she do that? Unless she walked to a nearby shop to get something she couldn't find here.

"Officer."

I looked back down at the man in question.

"I saw her come back just after she left. She gave the girl that helped her a note before walking out."

"Is she still here?"

Turns out the woman left a few minutes ago after finishing her shift. I wrote her name and surname on my notepad walking out of the shop. Hesitating at her car I bit my lip. I can't leave it here, someone may try something.

Once back at the station I searched the woman up getting her address and everything else. I stormed out of my office, steps flattering when Michael stepped in front of me.

"Where are you going?"

"To this woman." I held out the paper. "I found her car at a supermarket not far from here. They said she was there, that she handed a note to this woman and then disappeared. I'm going to see her now."

"I'm coming with you."

________________

THE DAYS SEEMED TO pass without me even realizing it. I spend most of my time at the station trying to find any leads. The note she left gave us something to start with, but it led to a dead end.

In the back of my mind there are these memories that are fighting to resurface. Stuff I've pushed to the back, the moment I started living with my grandmother.

The door banged open making my head snap up. One of the officers stood in the doorway looking anxious.

"We found a match to his description."

I followed him out to the computer room. Michael is already there staring at the screen with concentration. Stopping next to him I frowned up at it.

"Zoom it in. Can you clear the picture more?"

The moment he did I sucked in a shocked breath. I know him. That man, someone I've hated my whole live. Relief flooded me, but then it's replaced by fear as the reality of the situation hit me.

My father has Alia.

_________________

HE HAS DISAPPEARED WITHOUT a trace. There are no records of him, past or present. He's a complete ghost. The heat of the investigation is dying down, no one else is whiling to help. All the other departments has withdrawn their help.

I blinked wiping the tears from my eyes.

Three hundred and sixty five days.

Alia Dune has been missing for one year. She disappeared without a trace, no one saw what happened. And if they did, they were killed.

My angel, she's gone.

A knock at the door made me stand up from the bed. I ran a hand down my face before turning. Nathan stood in the doorway his eyes searching mine. I know what he would find.

Nothing.

"We need to go."

I nod telling him that I'll be down in a few minutes. Once the door is closed firmly behind him I sat down again picking up the photo.

"Where are you my Alia?" My voice is gruff from lack of use.

The service was short but sweet. The whole family attended including Alia's real father. No emotion, I felt no emotions as I watched the casket lower to the ground. A week ago Alia's mother died. It was quick and peaceful, with her husband by her side.

I looked up, my eyes falling on the dark grey thunder clouds. Then they lowered to her family. Michael stood silently, his face emotionless, holding the hand of Emma. Patrick stood next to him holding Sam, his wife stood next to him holding their baby boy.

Alia missed the birth of their son.

The priest said the last words, a few seconds later the people started walking away. I followed silently my steps flattering as I saw the girl leaning against my car. She's the last person I want to talk to.

"What are you doing here?" Nathan asked her eyes narrowed.

She took a step back from him her eyes dropping to the floor. My eyes narrowed as I took a closer look at her. She's pale, body shaking.

She's scared.

"I know where Alia is."