Chapter One: 7th Birthday
Alyson's POV

I skimmed, with my eyes, over the nighttime sky. It seemed impossible to count all of the stars. Like there were new ones every night.

My eyes drooped. I fought to stay awake. My mom's words repeated in my head.

'When will you be back?'
'Right before it gets dark....'

My eyelids failed me. I fell into a deep sleep.

I dreamt. I dreamt of my parents on their walk. The past few hours replayed in my head. As though I was watching the whole thing from a different view. I saw the expression on my face when I asked when they were coming back. I was worried that they wouldn't...

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March 7, the next morning... Alyson's 7th birthday

I woke up crying and screaming. It felt like I had a nightmare...but couldn't remember what it was about.

I wiped my tears, stretched, and began to think.

Where are Mom and Dad? What's today....?

I gasped. "Today's my birthday!"

Something felt wrong. I looked around. Mom and Dad weren't in sight.

"Mommy? Daddy?" I got up and started to search the house. On my way to their room, I grabbed my cell. Since Dad got a new phone, he gave me this one. They weren't in their room. Not in the bathroom, kitchen, living room, or anything.

Confused, I dialed Mom's cell phone number.

The phone rang. Then stopped. I looked at the screen on my phone. It blinked 0:01.

Why would they answer then hang up right away?

I called the number again. This time I got the voicemail.

Why won't she answer?

I started to panic. I didn't know what to do. Loud sobs escaped my throat. I felt alone.

I sat on the couch and brought my knees to my chin, curling up into a ball. I stayed like that and cried until my eyes hurt.

There was a knock on the door. I got up and opened it.

"M-Miss Val?"

"Aly, what happened?! I heard your cries when I walked by." She hugged me. It made me a little more secure.

"M-Mom and Dad d-didn't come home." I sobbed, trying to choke out my sentence.

"Where did they go? When did they leave?"

"They went to the beach down the street. Left yesterday at sunset." I frowned and held my breath to keep from crying.

"Would you like to come home with me so you're not alone? I'll get the police to search for them while we stay at my house. Does that sound okay?"

I forced a smile and nodded.

"Good. Do you want to bring anything to keep you occupied?"

I thought. Nothing came to mind. I shook my head.

"All right. Let's go." her hand on my back nudged me to go in the direction of her house. I allowed it and walked with her. Miss Val's my neighbor. Sometimes she would baby-sit me if both of my parents had to work a long shift. It's nice that she cares. I just wish my parents would be here for my birthday. My smiled faded and my face formed another frown. A tear escaped my eye. I want my Mom and Dad.