I was back on FF for a new chapter of an existing story when I found this story on my computer. It was written quit a while ago and back then I didn't dare to post it. Not because it isn't good (I don't know, that's for you to decide) but more because it isn't the average FF story or The Fosters story. It isn't happy or full with teen drama, it is more dark an frankly a bit scary. It's is actually lightly based on a book I had to read in High School and it never left my thoughts because it was so intense. Then one day watching The Fosters I just though it would be a good decor for a new story. So please don't read it if you only like to read lighter stuff.
The story is finished, I am only going through the chapters for the finishing touch, but I will try to post a chapter a day. It isn't a long story, only 6 chapters and so far I am not planning to write a sequel. Just so you know :)
It was early in the morning when he folded his newspaper and got up from the breakfast table. Except for two backpacks and the remaining of their breakfast the kitchen was ultra clean, just as he liked it. His wife always made sure of it. His children came running down the stairs after brushing their teeth and kissed their mother on the cheek before grabbing their backpacks. He himself kissed his wife and wished her a good day. As he walked over to his car and the kids climbed in the backseat he turned around to his wife who stood now in the doorway. Just as every morning she waved them goodbye and wishing them a good day and a safe journey. As he backed out of the driveway he gave a last glimpse to the woman he loved with his whole hart. And with his beautiful son and daughter in the backseat he drove off to bring them to school and go to work. Life was good to him and he was looking forward to today. Today especially was going to be great.
Stef was staring out of the window of their vehicle. Mike was driving around while she scanned the neighborhood for irregularities. A young boy was riding his bike on the sidewalk, criss crossing through the pedestrian. A man and a woman were arguing in front of a small store and a woman was comforting a small crying child. But most people were talking on their phone and not noticing their surroundings. People rarely do these days, they are either to busy talking or texting on their phone or listening to music. For the police the good thing about this was that everyone carried around a camera snapping pictures or making films that they later could use for evidence. However, it also had proven that there were less witnesses of crimes. The people simply noticed less because they are more engrossed with their phones.
Today was a slow day for them. They had to assist here and there, but nothing seriously. So they were enjoying the quiet and sat silently but comfortable next to each other. Then suddenly out of nowhere, with another hour to go on their shift, Stef felt an suffocating pressure arise on her chest, a heavy feeling that something was up. It was as if someone had squeezed her heart and it made her feel sick and cold to the bone. She quickly tried to recomposed herself and looked around on the street to see if her subconscious had caught something that had disturbed her. However there was nothing out of the ordinary going on.
"Are you okay?" Mike asked. He had noticed the change in his partner and ex-wife behavior.
"Just going to check in with everyone." Stef replied as she pulled out her cell phone, she had a few drops of sweat on her forehead and they were not from the heat. The pressure on her chest was already fading, but the uncomfortable feeling was still lingering around. She knew she couldn't relax until she knew everyone was okay.
— Just a check in, how is everyone? — Stef texted out to her family. It was just after 5 o'clock and that would mean that Lena was still working. But she almost instantly got a reply back from her.
— I'm fine, honey. Are you okay? —.
And then one from Jude. — Doing homework over at Conner's, see you tonight mom! —.
Stef quickly answered them both back before she turned her attention on their surroundings once more.
"What's going on Stef?" Mike sighed and looked over at Stef.
"I don't know, I just had the urge to check in on everyone. It's a mother thing Mike, forget about it." She replied, trying to shrug the unease away.
"And are they fine?" Mike continued at the same moment another bleep came from Stef's phone.
—Chill mom, I'm fine. Just done with training, I'll be on my way home soon.— Stef had to laugh at Jesus his text, he had known she was worried.
Mariana was probable not done with practice either or else she would have replied by now, Stef knew. So she decided to send her wife another text.
—Jude is over at Conner's house and Jesus will be on his way home soon, do you know where the others are hanging out?— Stef typed as she perfectly knew that she was throwing her worries now on her wife as well. It wasn't difficult to get Lena worried.
—Mariana is still practicing with Tia and the group, I just passed by her. Brandon drove Callie to group therapy she will be home around 6.15. Brandon is probably practicing his music. I'm sure they are all fine, Stef.— Lena replied with a smiley on the end.
Although the uneasy feeling didn't disappear, she stuffed them away so she could do her job and finish up her shift. There was no reason to panic, this was just a normal day as others.
As it was nearly 6 o'clock Brandon was still driving around aimlessly. He couldn't believe how stupid he had been, especially over something that silly. He knew his moms would be pissed at him and he wasn't looking forward to going home. But it wasn't the only reason he didn't want to go home, he knew very well he had screwed up twice today. Maybe it was better if he was going to his father first, he thought. It was easier to tell his father what he had done then telling his mother. His father had made many mistakes in his life, so he wasn't going to judge him the way his mother would. His mother had surely made mistakes, however it still seemed to him that she was perfect. Maybe it was her confidence in almost everything that made her look so perfect. As he was waiting for a red light to turn green he glanced over his phone once more. He hadn't replied to his mom's text, he just couldn't. Was his mom aware of what had happened or was it a freaky coincidence that she had texted him seconds after what he had done, he thought to himself. While he was driving towards the next intersection he had convinced himself to go home. It would make things only worse if he stayed away. And maybe there was nothing to tell, nothing to confess. Maybe no one noticed and no one talked. The closer Brandon came to his home the more he started to believed it himself.
"Hey honey." came Lena's greeting from the kitchen as Stef closed the front door behind her. Stef walked to the kitchen to give her wife a kiss.
"Is everyone home?" Stef asked her, the feeling that something was wrong never completely disappeared, although it wasn't as strong as before.
"I don't know, I just arrived home minutes before you did, I had a meeting." Lena answered her. With that said, they heard loud footsteps thundering down the stairs.
"Good you're home, I'm starving." Jesus said while he stormed into the kitchen.
"Is everyone home already?" Lena asked her son while she checked if the oven was warm enough. She had prepared dinner the other night so it would be ready within thirty minutes.
"Mariana and Callie are in their room and Jude is in ours. I haven't seen Brandon yet though." Jesus replied while giving a peek at what would be served.
Just as Stef was grabbing her phone to see where her son was, Brandon walked in the house through the backdoor.
"Sorry I'm late." Brandon said without looking up to his mothers, which they didn't missed. Stef gave Lena a glance before she spoke.
"What have you been up to.?" She asked him.
"Oh, eh, nothing much. Just, you know, driving around a bit." Brandon said a bit hesitantly while he was putting his stuff away.
"Did something happened?" Lena asked him in a soft voice, while Stef gave him a stern look.
"Well, ehm, well maybe…" Brandon started, but he was saved with the sound of more footsteps coming down the stairs and within a few seconds three more teenagers stepped into the kitchen.
Stef immediately forgot about their conversation and stared upon the three kids.
"Where is Callie?" she asked while looking at Mariana.
"I don't know, haven't seen her since school was out. Emma and I have been studying in my room since we came home." Mariana said as she pointed to her friend Emma who stood right beside her and next to Jude.
Stef then glanced at Jesus silently asking him for an explanation, when he shrugged.
"I heard two girls, I just assumed it was Mariana and Callie." He replied.
"Okay, she is just 30 minutes late, she'll be home any second now." Lena said nervously. But she and Stef knew that Callie always came home straight away from group therapy.
"You drove her to therapy right?" Stef turned around to Brandon and remembered then that there was something going on with their son.
"Eh" he hesitated. "No, I didn't. she went by herself." Brandon confessed and looked down at his shoes. Stef was already calling Callie, however within seconds she put the phone down from her ear.
"It's off." She simply stated and while she was considering what to do next she saw Lena grabbing her cell phone and dialing a number.
"Hi this is Lena Adams, Callie's mother. I was just calling to check if Callie showed up today at therapy. Yes, okay. So you haven't seen or heard from her? Thank you. No I'm sure she is fine. Bye." Lena talked to Callie's therapist.
Stef felt the color on her face disappear, and as she looked into her wife's eyes she saw the same fear she was feeling.
Please leave me a message with your thoughts on this if you want, I will post the next chapter somewhere tomorrow.