Chroni- Thanks for reviewing!
Guess-Who-It-Is- Ummm...o.O...uhh...eep, I'm not good at these games! Ah! Uh...mmm...I need clues! I'm BAD at this game!!! Uhhh...who could it be...who could it be...uhh...have you reviewed this story before? Have you reviewed any of my stories before? Will I feel stupid when you tell me who you are? o.O
Katie- Lol, wow. If a fairly nice, calm person wants to kill George, I must be gettin' somewhere! ^_^ Lol, that's very true. They would be a lot nicer to him...but how angsty would THAT be? Not very. ^_^
Rachel- Aw, how sweet! *watery smile* You're so nice! *hugs* Yeah, lol. I tend to like using cliffhangers that keep you coming back for more. Otherwise I would be scared to lose you all. ^_^ It's become a natural thing. Lol. It probably will happen to the end. I tend to have a flare for the dramatic. ^_~ You don't know how happy I am that you're enjoying this. *grins* I always love your reviews.
Nebula- I hate it when that happens...my brother takes the computer sometimes too. ^_^ But yeah, I figured Charlie had waited long enough and it was time he told. Not that the torture will ever end...lol...I'm glad I caught ya off guard! ^_~
Christy- Aha...you are very perceptive! Nicely done!
Banksiesbabe99- Aw, thanks! You're so sweet. Heehee, yeah. I like making them thick. Makes for a funner (Erm, that's not a word, but pretend it is! Lol...) story! Lol...As obvious as it is, there are some thick people out there...and in this case, they all happen to live in Montana. ^_^
Sloane Miette- Was there enough meat on the bone this time? ^_^ I hope so. Lol...I'm glad you like the story. Don't worry; the Ducks are coming soon! Very soon, actually. Very, VERY soon. Very, very VER- okay...I think you get the point. ^_^ Lol...Thanks for reviewing!
Allie- Lol...*giggles* That's funny. I never thought of the maids that way...^_^ but George can be evil because...well...he's evil. That's just what evil people do. ^_^ Lol...I hope I have time to update too...I hate school...I had to go back...the evilness...eep...
Liz- I'm glad you liked the chapter, as always. ^_^ Thanks for reviewing! So Stuck on You was good? I wanna see it too...it looks funny.
Snorts- I'm glad you're enjoying the story! ^_^ I personally feel like the story takes a pretty big leap in the next few chapters. I hope you enjoy this chapter too! ^_~
Buterflyangel- Aw, that made me feel special! Thanks! ^_^
Disclaimer- Nope, even after all this time I have yet to gain ownership of The Mighty Ducks.
-Chapter 30-
Down at the station, the group of four women stood handcuffed as their cell was opened. No matter how much thy protested, the police officers didn't believe that they didn't do anything.
"Sir, you don't understand. We didn't kidnap Charlie." Alyssa said with an exasperated tone, tired from saying it so many times.
"I'm sure you didn't." the younger police officer said sarcastically before the older once hit him on the arm.
"No, you don't understand." Alyssa said, her voice slightly hoarse from protesting and tears threatening to spill. She couldn't go to jail! Her mom didn't have enough money for bail and she had to help pay the rent. "Yes, he was a friend and we knew him, but we did NOT kidnap him. He's been missing and we have no clue where he is. He might have run away or something." She said, her voice quivering slightly.
April placed a comforting hand on Alyssa's trembling shoulder. "The girl is right. We haven't seen him in several days either."
"And isn't it supposed to be innocent until proven guilty?" Karen piped in, sending skeptical looks to the police officers.
"Look ladies, just get in the cell. We are still setting a court date and don't have time to listen to your denial." The older police officer said as he walked off.
The two men walked into an office where George Conway sat, reading a magazine.
"Mr. Conway?" one of the officers said.
"Did you find my son?" George said, knowing that's what they expected him to say. Not that he wanted to know for the reasons they thought he did...He should become an actor...
"No, not yet. But we found those women. You say they kidnapped him? He wasn't there when we picked them up. You are sure, right?" the young policeman asked.
"Yes, I know they at least had something to do with it. They were upset because I fired them so they have been corrupting my son. He is an impressionable fourteen-year-old, which is a good target for creating an accomplice. He was the perfect way them to get back at me. I do hope he's all right..." George said, fading off for a dramatic effect. The officers were eating right out of his hand...
"I'm sure he is. We have several very good detectives looking for him and we have our suspects under arrest. You're son will be back under your roof any time now." The elder policeman said with a nod.
George nodded, setting the magazine down. "Thank you again. You have my number in case you find any information as to the whereabouts of my son."
With that, George left the station, knowing Charlie would give himself in any day now. He knew his son was far too noble to let innocent people rot in jail on his behalf...
~~~*~~~
Surprisingly, Charlie was home alone at the Halls residence. Terry had a basketball game, but Charlie had been complaining about all his homework so he opted to stay home. He told Terry he would be there in spirit. Not to mention Charlie promised to be at the next game, waving pompoms and cheering him on. Or, at least something like that.
Out of complete and utter boredom, he flipped on the news. Sure, he should actually be doing his homework, but he didn't care. He could do it after he watched whatever was flooding the news stations for the moment.
He stopped on a random news station. They were doing some story about overdosing on Medical Care...wait...
"There has been an Amber Alert issued in a Montana city. Fourteen-year-old Charlie Conway has been missing for four days now, and officials say they might have the people behind the crime. The boy has yet to be found, but detectives are working on it now. More about this story at 8-" the lady on TV said.
Charlie blinked...no way...
No FREAKIN' way!
He continued to stare dumbly at the screen for a few moments, long after the story had reverted back to OD-ing Medical Care.
Out of morbid curiosity, Charlie glanced at the clock. 7:57. The Halls wouldn't be back until 9:00...
Charlie was curious to see what they had done to warp the story into something newsworthy and WHO the 'suspects' were. Hopefully not the Halls. Nah, couldn't be considering they said they already had the 'suspects.'
WHO then?
He waited a few more minutes and thanked God that the Halls weren't home to see it. They would have a heart attack when they found out they were housing a runaway kid with an Amber Alert slapped across the screen by his name.
They didn't have to know...
A picture of him on his hockey gear flashed up as they explained who he was. Blah blah blah.
A picture of his father then flashed on the screen in an interview-like scenario.
"I'm beginning to get worried about him. I don't know if he would run away; someone had to have kidnapped him. Charlie has never had any problems before and I fail to see way he would feel the need to run away. I have faith in our police officers, though. I'm sure they will find my son and return him safely." George said in a worried, sickeningly-out-of-character voice.
Charlie rolled his eyes. That was the biggest load of bull he had ever heard. But the boy had to admit; his father sure knew how to play his sympathy cards.
"So, Mr. Conway. You say there is no way he could have run away?" the anchor-lady asked.
"No, I'm not saying that. He may just be upset with me. He is a very impressionable boy, and it is very possible the suspects-in-question may have spurred his decision to run away just to get a rise out of me. Not that it is working; it is only making me sick with worry. You see, just a short month ago I lost my wife to a drive-by shooting while she was on her way home from work. He is all I have left, and I couldn't bear to lose him." George said, playing the wounded, tortured man.
Yep. He's got that sympathy card down pat...
But then Charlie felt anger well up inside him. He couldn't believe the man would play up his own wife's death to make himself look innocent and tortured. Especially when he was the cause of the woman's death. All he had left. Bah, he was such a liar...Like he really cared about Charlie's well being...
The story then went on to show the 'suspects.' Charlie perked up to see whom they were blaming his disappearance on...
His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. He had NOT been expecting that.
He saw April, Alyssa, Agatha, and Karen being handcuffed.
"Just earlier today the suspects were handcuffed and placed in cells. The boy's father, George Conway, had recently fired them and he claims they are trying to get back at him. They are being held for questioning and there will be trial within a few days." the anchor-lady said.
With that, Charlie flipped the TV off in an angry haste. How could they blame those women?! They had nothing to do with his decision!
Charlie knew he had to do something...He knew what, too. The boy only hoped he could convince Jesse to ALLOW him too...
He had to go back home.
~~~*~~~
Charlie scribbled a note down on a piece of paper and taped it to the refrigerator. He grabbed his backpack and gave the house one last lingering glance. If he hurried, he could still leave before they got home from Terry's game. He couldn't stay there and endanger the Halls...they were far too important to him. Jesse would understand...
The boy bit his lip and opened the door, stepping out into the fresh evening air. He closed the door behind him and used the spare key they had given him to lock it back up.
With one last look, Charlie was on his way home. He had no clue how he had gained the willpower to keep his legs moving. He didn't want to go home, but he also knew that Alyssa, Agatha, Karen, and April were being blamed for his disappearance. He couldn't stand by and allow his father to pin the blame on those innocent people just because he had been selfish enough to allow himself a few days of safety. He could take it for them, if anything. And if the police ever found him at the Halls, THEY would get in trouble too...Not to mention his father would know where they lived.
A shudder crept down Charlie's spine at the thought. He had to protect them.
He crossed his arms and began chewing on his lower lip again. How had he gotten himself into this mess? When exactly did life become so difficult and confusing?
Charlie had the strangest urge to call one of the Ducks, but he knew better. There was no reason to provoke his father any further. Charlie now knew the extent his father would go to in order to keep in control. Charlie wasn't sure how many more broken bones he could take...
But he could never tell Jesse that. No, then Jesse would tell for sure. However, Charlie knew exactly how everything would end up. His father would hire a fancy lawyer and pay them off so he could win. That is, if he didn't bring out the 'withering, innocent soul with a misbehaving son' card. Then he wouldn't even have too. After that, his father would smile for the camera and play the part of a rejoicing parent. And yet, the second they stepped into the confines of their house, his father would morph back into evil-demented-father and they would fall back into the routine they had created. This time it would be even worse, though. His father would be mad at him for trying to escape and even madder for telling anyone about their 'unique' relationship. It was an endless cycle.
He passed the police station and paused slightly. He wondered if his father was there. Maybe showing up in a public place would be the safest way to go about it...
Not that there was any real safe way in the first place...
Timidly walking to the door to the police station, Charlie took a sharp intake of breath, hoping for the best. There were several news cameras sparsely scattered throughout the area. Within minutes, more flooded in. Luckily, no one recognized him yet. Even if he couldn't find his father, he would at least ask to see Alyssa and the others.
He walked up to the door and looked inside. Police officers were standing around as several secretaries milled around, handing off papers.
Charlie pulled the hood of his sweatshirt farther over his head just in case. He didn't feel like dealing with the press right now.
With a slight burst of confidence, Charlie opened the door and walked in. He heard the clamor of several reporters behind him. It seemed they took his entrance as an okay to enter. Why they would follow some random kid into a police station was beyond Charlie, but he assumed they were just looking for any chance to get in.
The expressions on the faces of police officers soured slightly as the press bounded in. Charlie slipped past them and began to wander around slightly. He had no clue what he was doing or where he was going. He might have to ask someone eventually...
He figured slipping off the hood of his sweatshirt might get enough attention for people to listen to him and tell him where to go, but he wasn't sure if he wanted everyone to know before his father. But then again, that might be a good idea...
Removing the hood from his head, he looked around for any policemen that might be able to help.
He saw a woman in a navy police uniform standing by a door, looking through some files. She was muttering things under her breath and didn't look very welcoming, but beggars can't be choosers.
"Ma'am?" he said, walking up to her. She turned her attention to him and raised her eyebrows.
"Hey, wait a second...aren't you that kid?" she said, pointing at him with a folder-filled hand.
"Um, I dunno. Depends on which kid you're talking about." He said, regretting it the moment it left his mouth. Being sarcastic and smart with the police officers was never a good thing. But she didn't seem to notice.
"You are!" she said suddenly, taking him by the arm and leading him into an office. "Boss, boss! I found the kid!" she declared, as if she had been wandering the streets and found him in the clutches of his 'captors.'
"Kid?" the aging man said before turning to see what she was talking about. "OH! The 'kid'! Good job, Officer Keifer!"
She beamed at him as the man took both her and Charlie's arm and dragged them back outside of the room, sending orders to random people as they passed.
"Someone call the boy's father! The number is on my desk! Chop chop, people; we don't have all night!"
They all scurried away and did as they were told.
Charlie nearly tripped over a filing cabinet as they dragged him along. "Hey, HEY! Believe it or not, I am capable of walking." He said as he narrowly dodged a rushing secretary with a frenzied expression on her face.
"Yes, but we don't want to lose you. Solving an Amber Alert, Keifer! Imagine it now..." he said, trailing off as if it were the turn of the century.
Charlie gave them a weird look and was about to say something to his defense before a bright flash nearly blinded him.
He stumbled back slightly and opened his eyes. Ah, lovely reporters. And why, again, had he come here?
"Where have you been?"
"Did someone kidnap you, or did you run away?"
"Who kidnapped you?"
"Did they hurt you?"
"Why is your arm in a sling?"
"Did you come here by yourself, or did the police find you?"
"Was it a dangerous, daring escape?"
"Pepsi or Coke?"
Charlie blinked and stared at them all in confusion. Too many words all at the same time...his brain just did NOT process English that fast...
"Uh..." he said, not sure of which to respond to first.
Suddenly the door flew open and Charlie felt the air chill around him. He had a sneaking suspicion he knew who it was...
"Charlie!" came the totally fake-happy voice of his father. "Charlie, they found you!"
He gave the man a half-smile that came out as more of a grimace, but none of the reporters noticed. They were just too stupid to catch on to something like that.
"Hello 'dad.'" Charlie said, his voiced laced with sarcasm. "So nice to see you..."
Guess-Who-It-Is- Ummm...o.O...uhh...eep, I'm not good at these games! Ah! Uh...mmm...I need clues! I'm BAD at this game!!! Uhhh...who could it be...who could it be...uhh...have you reviewed this story before? Have you reviewed any of my stories before? Will I feel stupid when you tell me who you are? o.O
Katie- Lol, wow. If a fairly nice, calm person wants to kill George, I must be gettin' somewhere! ^_^ Lol, that's very true. They would be a lot nicer to him...but how angsty would THAT be? Not very. ^_^
Rachel- Aw, how sweet! *watery smile* You're so nice! *hugs* Yeah, lol. I tend to like using cliffhangers that keep you coming back for more. Otherwise I would be scared to lose you all. ^_^ It's become a natural thing. Lol. It probably will happen to the end. I tend to have a flare for the dramatic. ^_~ You don't know how happy I am that you're enjoying this. *grins* I always love your reviews.
Nebula- I hate it when that happens...my brother takes the computer sometimes too. ^_^ But yeah, I figured Charlie had waited long enough and it was time he told. Not that the torture will ever end...lol...I'm glad I caught ya off guard! ^_~
Christy- Aha...you are very perceptive! Nicely done!
Banksiesbabe99- Aw, thanks! You're so sweet. Heehee, yeah. I like making them thick. Makes for a funner (Erm, that's not a word, but pretend it is! Lol...) story! Lol...As obvious as it is, there are some thick people out there...and in this case, they all happen to live in Montana. ^_^
Sloane Miette- Was there enough meat on the bone this time? ^_^ I hope so. Lol...I'm glad you like the story. Don't worry; the Ducks are coming soon! Very soon, actually. Very, VERY soon. Very, very VER- okay...I think you get the point. ^_^ Lol...Thanks for reviewing!
Allie- Lol...*giggles* That's funny. I never thought of the maids that way...^_^ but George can be evil because...well...he's evil. That's just what evil people do. ^_^ Lol...I hope I have time to update too...I hate school...I had to go back...the evilness...eep...
Liz- I'm glad you liked the chapter, as always. ^_^ Thanks for reviewing! So Stuck on You was good? I wanna see it too...it looks funny.
Snorts- I'm glad you're enjoying the story! ^_^ I personally feel like the story takes a pretty big leap in the next few chapters. I hope you enjoy this chapter too! ^_~
Buterflyangel- Aw, that made me feel special! Thanks! ^_^
Disclaimer- Nope, even after all this time I have yet to gain ownership of The Mighty Ducks.
-Chapter 30-
Down at the station, the group of four women stood handcuffed as their cell was opened. No matter how much thy protested, the police officers didn't believe that they didn't do anything.
"Sir, you don't understand. We didn't kidnap Charlie." Alyssa said with an exasperated tone, tired from saying it so many times.
"I'm sure you didn't." the younger police officer said sarcastically before the older once hit him on the arm.
"No, you don't understand." Alyssa said, her voice slightly hoarse from protesting and tears threatening to spill. She couldn't go to jail! Her mom didn't have enough money for bail and she had to help pay the rent. "Yes, he was a friend and we knew him, but we did NOT kidnap him. He's been missing and we have no clue where he is. He might have run away or something." She said, her voice quivering slightly.
April placed a comforting hand on Alyssa's trembling shoulder. "The girl is right. We haven't seen him in several days either."
"And isn't it supposed to be innocent until proven guilty?" Karen piped in, sending skeptical looks to the police officers.
"Look ladies, just get in the cell. We are still setting a court date and don't have time to listen to your denial." The older police officer said as he walked off.
The two men walked into an office where George Conway sat, reading a magazine.
"Mr. Conway?" one of the officers said.
"Did you find my son?" George said, knowing that's what they expected him to say. Not that he wanted to know for the reasons they thought he did...He should become an actor...
"No, not yet. But we found those women. You say they kidnapped him? He wasn't there when we picked them up. You are sure, right?" the young policeman asked.
"Yes, I know they at least had something to do with it. They were upset because I fired them so they have been corrupting my son. He is an impressionable fourteen-year-old, which is a good target for creating an accomplice. He was the perfect way them to get back at me. I do hope he's all right..." George said, fading off for a dramatic effect. The officers were eating right out of his hand...
"I'm sure he is. We have several very good detectives looking for him and we have our suspects under arrest. You're son will be back under your roof any time now." The elder policeman said with a nod.
George nodded, setting the magazine down. "Thank you again. You have my number in case you find any information as to the whereabouts of my son."
With that, George left the station, knowing Charlie would give himself in any day now. He knew his son was far too noble to let innocent people rot in jail on his behalf...
~~~*~~~
Surprisingly, Charlie was home alone at the Halls residence. Terry had a basketball game, but Charlie had been complaining about all his homework so he opted to stay home. He told Terry he would be there in spirit. Not to mention Charlie promised to be at the next game, waving pompoms and cheering him on. Or, at least something like that.
Out of complete and utter boredom, he flipped on the news. Sure, he should actually be doing his homework, but he didn't care. He could do it after he watched whatever was flooding the news stations for the moment.
He stopped on a random news station. They were doing some story about overdosing on Medical Care...wait...
"There has been an Amber Alert issued in a Montana city. Fourteen-year-old Charlie Conway has been missing for four days now, and officials say they might have the people behind the crime. The boy has yet to be found, but detectives are working on it now. More about this story at 8-" the lady on TV said.
Charlie blinked...no way...
No FREAKIN' way!
He continued to stare dumbly at the screen for a few moments, long after the story had reverted back to OD-ing Medical Care.
Out of morbid curiosity, Charlie glanced at the clock. 7:57. The Halls wouldn't be back until 9:00...
Charlie was curious to see what they had done to warp the story into something newsworthy and WHO the 'suspects' were. Hopefully not the Halls. Nah, couldn't be considering they said they already had the 'suspects.'
WHO then?
He waited a few more minutes and thanked God that the Halls weren't home to see it. They would have a heart attack when they found out they were housing a runaway kid with an Amber Alert slapped across the screen by his name.
They didn't have to know...
A picture of him on his hockey gear flashed up as they explained who he was. Blah blah blah.
A picture of his father then flashed on the screen in an interview-like scenario.
"I'm beginning to get worried about him. I don't know if he would run away; someone had to have kidnapped him. Charlie has never had any problems before and I fail to see way he would feel the need to run away. I have faith in our police officers, though. I'm sure they will find my son and return him safely." George said in a worried, sickeningly-out-of-character voice.
Charlie rolled his eyes. That was the biggest load of bull he had ever heard. But the boy had to admit; his father sure knew how to play his sympathy cards.
"So, Mr. Conway. You say there is no way he could have run away?" the anchor-lady asked.
"No, I'm not saying that. He may just be upset with me. He is a very impressionable boy, and it is very possible the suspects-in-question may have spurred his decision to run away just to get a rise out of me. Not that it is working; it is only making me sick with worry. You see, just a short month ago I lost my wife to a drive-by shooting while she was on her way home from work. He is all I have left, and I couldn't bear to lose him." George said, playing the wounded, tortured man.
Yep. He's got that sympathy card down pat...
But then Charlie felt anger well up inside him. He couldn't believe the man would play up his own wife's death to make himself look innocent and tortured. Especially when he was the cause of the woman's death. All he had left. Bah, he was such a liar...Like he really cared about Charlie's well being...
The story then went on to show the 'suspects.' Charlie perked up to see whom they were blaming his disappearance on...
His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. He had NOT been expecting that.
He saw April, Alyssa, Agatha, and Karen being handcuffed.
"Just earlier today the suspects were handcuffed and placed in cells. The boy's father, George Conway, had recently fired them and he claims they are trying to get back at him. They are being held for questioning and there will be trial within a few days." the anchor-lady said.
With that, Charlie flipped the TV off in an angry haste. How could they blame those women?! They had nothing to do with his decision!
Charlie knew he had to do something...He knew what, too. The boy only hoped he could convince Jesse to ALLOW him too...
He had to go back home.
~~~*~~~
Charlie scribbled a note down on a piece of paper and taped it to the refrigerator. He grabbed his backpack and gave the house one last lingering glance. If he hurried, he could still leave before they got home from Terry's game. He couldn't stay there and endanger the Halls...they were far too important to him. Jesse would understand...
The boy bit his lip and opened the door, stepping out into the fresh evening air. He closed the door behind him and used the spare key they had given him to lock it back up.
With one last look, Charlie was on his way home. He had no clue how he had gained the willpower to keep his legs moving. He didn't want to go home, but he also knew that Alyssa, Agatha, Karen, and April were being blamed for his disappearance. He couldn't stand by and allow his father to pin the blame on those innocent people just because he had been selfish enough to allow himself a few days of safety. He could take it for them, if anything. And if the police ever found him at the Halls, THEY would get in trouble too...Not to mention his father would know where they lived.
A shudder crept down Charlie's spine at the thought. He had to protect them.
He crossed his arms and began chewing on his lower lip again. How had he gotten himself into this mess? When exactly did life become so difficult and confusing?
Charlie had the strangest urge to call one of the Ducks, but he knew better. There was no reason to provoke his father any further. Charlie now knew the extent his father would go to in order to keep in control. Charlie wasn't sure how many more broken bones he could take...
But he could never tell Jesse that. No, then Jesse would tell for sure. However, Charlie knew exactly how everything would end up. His father would hire a fancy lawyer and pay them off so he could win. That is, if he didn't bring out the 'withering, innocent soul with a misbehaving son' card. Then he wouldn't even have too. After that, his father would smile for the camera and play the part of a rejoicing parent. And yet, the second they stepped into the confines of their house, his father would morph back into evil-demented-father and they would fall back into the routine they had created. This time it would be even worse, though. His father would be mad at him for trying to escape and even madder for telling anyone about their 'unique' relationship. It was an endless cycle.
He passed the police station and paused slightly. He wondered if his father was there. Maybe showing up in a public place would be the safest way to go about it...
Not that there was any real safe way in the first place...
Timidly walking to the door to the police station, Charlie took a sharp intake of breath, hoping for the best. There were several news cameras sparsely scattered throughout the area. Within minutes, more flooded in. Luckily, no one recognized him yet. Even if he couldn't find his father, he would at least ask to see Alyssa and the others.
He walked up to the door and looked inside. Police officers were standing around as several secretaries milled around, handing off papers.
Charlie pulled the hood of his sweatshirt farther over his head just in case. He didn't feel like dealing with the press right now.
With a slight burst of confidence, Charlie opened the door and walked in. He heard the clamor of several reporters behind him. It seemed they took his entrance as an okay to enter. Why they would follow some random kid into a police station was beyond Charlie, but he assumed they were just looking for any chance to get in.
The expressions on the faces of police officers soured slightly as the press bounded in. Charlie slipped past them and began to wander around slightly. He had no clue what he was doing or where he was going. He might have to ask someone eventually...
He figured slipping off the hood of his sweatshirt might get enough attention for people to listen to him and tell him where to go, but he wasn't sure if he wanted everyone to know before his father. But then again, that might be a good idea...
Removing the hood from his head, he looked around for any policemen that might be able to help.
He saw a woman in a navy police uniform standing by a door, looking through some files. She was muttering things under her breath and didn't look very welcoming, but beggars can't be choosers.
"Ma'am?" he said, walking up to her. She turned her attention to him and raised her eyebrows.
"Hey, wait a second...aren't you that kid?" she said, pointing at him with a folder-filled hand.
"Um, I dunno. Depends on which kid you're talking about." He said, regretting it the moment it left his mouth. Being sarcastic and smart with the police officers was never a good thing. But she didn't seem to notice.
"You are!" she said suddenly, taking him by the arm and leading him into an office. "Boss, boss! I found the kid!" she declared, as if she had been wandering the streets and found him in the clutches of his 'captors.'
"Kid?" the aging man said before turning to see what she was talking about. "OH! The 'kid'! Good job, Officer Keifer!"
She beamed at him as the man took both her and Charlie's arm and dragged them back outside of the room, sending orders to random people as they passed.
"Someone call the boy's father! The number is on my desk! Chop chop, people; we don't have all night!"
They all scurried away and did as they were told.
Charlie nearly tripped over a filing cabinet as they dragged him along. "Hey, HEY! Believe it or not, I am capable of walking." He said as he narrowly dodged a rushing secretary with a frenzied expression on her face.
"Yes, but we don't want to lose you. Solving an Amber Alert, Keifer! Imagine it now..." he said, trailing off as if it were the turn of the century.
Charlie gave them a weird look and was about to say something to his defense before a bright flash nearly blinded him.
He stumbled back slightly and opened his eyes. Ah, lovely reporters. And why, again, had he come here?
"Where have you been?"
"Did someone kidnap you, or did you run away?"
"Who kidnapped you?"
"Did they hurt you?"
"Why is your arm in a sling?"
"Did you come here by yourself, or did the police find you?"
"Was it a dangerous, daring escape?"
"Pepsi or Coke?"
Charlie blinked and stared at them all in confusion. Too many words all at the same time...his brain just did NOT process English that fast...
"Uh..." he said, not sure of which to respond to first.
Suddenly the door flew open and Charlie felt the air chill around him. He had a sneaking suspicion he knew who it was...
"Charlie!" came the totally fake-happy voice of his father. "Charlie, they found you!"
He gave the man a half-smile that came out as more of a grimace, but none of the reporters noticed. They were just too stupid to catch on to something like that.
"Hello 'dad.'" Charlie said, his voiced laced with sarcasm. "So nice to see you..."
