Taken Away
Prologue
The wedding hadn't happened. Peyton read the passage about the girl behind the red door. Slamming the book to the ground. Realizing in that moment the true love and inspiration behind his novel had been Brooke all along. She was the one that should have been marrying Lucas today not her. Running out of the church and into her car. The crowd erupting in gasps and talk. The shock was all over Lucas's face. The embarrassment and humiliation covered Brooke's face as she looked down. Trying to avoid the gaze of the other guests.
People started to leave the church. Row by row. Meanwhile outside amongst all the chaos. None of us had realized Jamie hadn't been in the church with the rest of us. The woman Nathan and I had hired to watch Jamie. Who ended up being insane. Somehow was able to gain access to the church and take Jamie by the hand into her car.
He had grown especially attached to her. By the time any of us knew it.
She was gone and had taken Jamie with her.
All our lives had changed that day. And it would never be the same.
Present time
12 Years later
So much had changed during these last few years. For everyone in my life. Lucas and Brooke got married years ago and were busy raising their twin boys. Peyton had left town. Nathan and I went through a lot after Jamie was kidnapped. Months of putting signs up and having candle light vigils. Even with help from the police we couldn't find him.
So, there has always been this ache and hole in our lives that has only grown as time went on. We never discussed having any more kids. Neither of us had the strength or heart to admit the fear at the thought of possibly losing another child would do to us. Instead we continued on with our lives. Nathan with his basketball. Me with my teaching. And life just kept going on around us. Our house feels like a museum. There Is stuff there and people living in it but it doesn't feel like a home. All the pictures from our past littered on the wall. We talked about selling the house but there is this part of me that just can't I still believe he's out there somewhere. Waiting for us to find him. For many nights I've spent time replaying that day in my head. And I feel empty. That day I didn't just lose my son I lost my heart too. My one true purpose in life had been ripped from my arms. And none of us really ever found our way to back from that.
Haley took a breath. As she got out of her car. And walked into Tree Hill High School. Today was the beginning of the new school year. And she had a whole new class of Juniors to meet. This has always been her favorite time of year. One of the few bright spots in her life. Walking into the direction of her classroom. Unlocking the door then turning on the light. As she walked over to her desk. Waiting with excitement as the new students started to come inside the classroom.
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