A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first part.

Disclaimer: I do not own In A Heartbeat...never will...

Missing Persons

Ch. 2 What now?

Val glanced around her house in disbelief. There were people all around, crowded in her not so large house. Police officers, kids from Brooke's school, and neighbors. The Linears had taken Tyler's and Alex's advice when it reached 10:00 and Brooke still hadn't returned home. She looked over at her parents. Her mother was crying softly as her father tried comforted her.

"Val." she turned around and looked straight into Tyler's eyes.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

She started to mumble an ok, but broke down finally crying. He hugged her and stated with a fake, reassuring smile "She's going to be fine."

"She's only 12 and she's out there alone."

"Brooke's smart, she can take care of herself."

"Mr. and Mrs. Linear?" said an officer, interrupting Val and Tyler's conversation.

"Yes, did u find her?"

"No, but I want to ask you a few questions." Elizabeth nodded, Val walked over to her parents and Tyler joined Jamie, Alex, Hank, and Caitie.

"Would your daughter have any reason to runaway?"

"Brooke would never-"

"Val." her mother warned.

"It's alright. Would anyone want to take Brooke? A friend, relatives?"

"No, no." stated Frank Linear.

He smiled then and said: "I just need a recent picture."

"There's one in the den." said Elizabeth motioning him to follow.

Val suddenly felt the need to retreat as she thought of the horrible things that could have happened to her sister. Murder, rape.... she shook her head slightly.

"Dad, I'm going to bed." he nodded in a daze,. " Sure, goodnight, honey."
as Val tried to walk to her bedroom around the crowd of people. Suddenly, Caitie wrapped her in a hug. "I'm fine." she replied before her best friend could ask. "I'm just tired." said Val as she left before anyone else could say a thing. She closed the door to the room trying not to look at Brooke's empty bed. And as she curled herself in a ball on her bed she tried her hardest not to cry. Still Val could feel wetness form in her eyes. She gave up and let the tears and sleep come.
* * *
"Val, wake up." she heard someone call. "They found something." she suddenly recognized her mother's voice.
"What?"
* * *
A/N Please R& R