38
Hayley
2018
What was the last thing I said to her? Was it I love you or goodbye? Did I jinx everything by mentioning it in that order? Was I being punished for all the poor decisions I’d made in my life? Was I selfish keeping Wyatt away from London? Was I selfish making Logan share her? What is the right or wrong thing I should have done?
Logan didn’t say a word to me when he left the school. He barely looked at me. He looked at me like it was all my fault. I took his daughter away from him. I did this. Carl pours me a glass of water and gives me an aspirin. My head hurts, my body aches, and all I want to do was curl up to Wyatt’s side and wish for everything to go back to yesterday. The way he held me, the way he kissed London on her hair, the way he said he loves me.
I should have known that things were too perfect. Something has to be in the pipe works.
“Honey, they’re going to find her.”
“But why is she gone in the first place? This makes no sense. She would never go without a fight. You remember the time some woman tried to pinch her cheeks in the shopping mall? She screamed blue murder. The guards had that woman down on the ground in seconds. The poor woman was just sweet.”
“And you spoke to all her friends?”
“They were waiting for her, but figured she slipped through the hallway and was already in class. They reported it in first period.”
I can’t stop the tears from falling down my cheeks. I called my Mom, and she and Wyatt’s mother will be here soon. I feel like I should be doing something, not just sitting here waiting for my child to be found.
She’s been gone for hours, and who knows where she is or who she’s with? Was she scared?
“You need to shower, ease some tension from those muscles. I will make you some coffee.”
I know I should listen to Carl, but I just want to wait right here and not move until she’s back home.
My phone beeps and I reach for it.
Wyatt: I have a lead. A friend of mine is helping. Can’t explain on here.
He then texts me an unknown address, and I’m on my feet in seconds. I can finally do something. The adrenaline pumps in my veins.
“Carl, I have to go meet Wyatt. I’ll explain later. Take care of my mom and Katherine.”
I kiss him on the cheek.
“Whatever you need to do, babe, I’m here.”
I dash out of the house without a coat, not caring how freezing the night is. It must be less than forty degrees out here. I unlock my car, turning on the heat. I look to the back seat and freeze.
The diary. It’s gone.
I frown. Wyatt must have taken it.
I back out of my driveway, turning on my car's GPS and making for the freeway. I get off on one of the exits and make my way into an industrial area. It’s such an odd place for Wyatt to meet someone, and that can only mean that whatever he’s doing is not aboveboard. I didn’t give a fuck, really, as long as it means I will see my daughter soon.
Wyatt is waiting outside the small warehouse and walks up to the car when I drive up.
The place is secluded and way off the beaten track.
“I missed you,” he says, holding me tightly. “You’re freezing.” He shrugs out of his jacket, wrapping it around my shoulders. I instantly feel warmer and snuggle into it, needing its comfort.
“Is everything okay?”
“Let’s get inside.” He wraps his arms around me, leading me forward. I have no idea what to expect in that warehouse, but I pray silently that it will lead us to our daughter.
I walk into a building surrounded by screens and machines. A man is sitting with his back to us staring into a computer monitor. As we walk closer toward him, I notice it’s was the footage from the school.
