A/N If you like this story, I recommend the book "The Year Without Michael" by Susan Beth Pfeffer. I got some of my info from it. :-)
Disclaimer: I still don't own In A Heartbeat..
Missing Persons
Ch. 4 Rescue Me
She glanced into the distance as the days turned into weeks..
It had been two weeks since Brooke had vanished. There had been no leads not a single trace of where she might have went. Val spent nights lying in bed wondering where her sister had gone.
The police where losing hope, Val could tell. They no longer smiled and said everything was going to be fine. So, they went back to the station and pretended they had a clue on what to do next. The people that had helped, with the search had left too, back to their own lives. But, the reporters, they never left. They stayed on the front lawn hoping for more to add to their story about the missing Brooke Linear.
Val had left too in a way. Everyone noticed it, especially Tyler. She was not perky or motivated to do really much of anything. Her grades were slipping and her work at the station was lacking. She seemed as if her movements where involuntary. Tyler was seriously worried about her.
"How are you doing?" Tyler asked at the station. How am I doing? Val thought. That's a stupid question.
"I want to help you. You can't keep living like this, till Brooke comes home."
"Help me? How could you possibly rescue me from this nightmare."
"We all care about you, Val." he said. She didn't reply, but turned and walked out the station.
"Hi, mom." she said walking into her house.
"Brooke's birthday is next week." she replied. Val had forgotten that. "I don't think we'll do anything- unless Brooke's home by then- I don't think you dad with his heart and all could take it." Val nodded she didn't want to celebrate it with out Brooke.
Elizabeth Linear had been the strong one the past couple of weeks as her husband started to lost hope and became withdrawn and worn out.
Val checked the answer machine. Her mother often turned it on so she wouldn't have to talk with reporters. Nothing new. Just two messages from Tyler and her grandparents and five from Nick. He called often, as if he did Brooke would finally answer.
"Val!" called her mom. "It's Jamie."
She signed. She didn't want to talk to him.
"Hi."
"Hey. How are you doing." God. she thought If one more person asks her that.
"Fine." she replied.
"Real talkative today." he joked. She wished she could laugh.
"Gee, Jamie I've gotta run. I'll see you in school."
"Val, wait-." she hung up the phone.
"I'm going to Caitie's." she told her mom.
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A/N Please R & R