"I'm going for a jog!" Jen yelled upstairs.
"Be careful!" Tim's muffled reply came. "Mom and Abbie should be home soon so make it quick."
"I will. Bye!"
S/C-------
"It wasn't funny!" Abbie tried not to laugh but the look on Calleigh's face was too much. "He spilled it down my good shirt and it looked like I was bleeding everywhere!"
"I'm sure it wasn't as bad as it seems." Calleigh smirked, grabbing her ringing cell phone. "Calleigh Speedle."
"Hey, it's me."
"Oh hi honey. What's going on?"
"Um... nothing much. How's shopping?"
"Good. We're having lunch."
"Oh. That's good."
"Mhmm." Calleigh grinned as she took one of Abbie's french fries and popped it in her mouth. "So what did you call for? We're going to be home soon."
"Can you come home now?"
"Why?"
"I just want to see you."
"Well you selfish little thing you."
"I guess everything's got me freaked out."
"You're a horrible liar."
"Just please come home."
"Why?" she heard Tim sigh and there was silence for a while and Calleigh began to think they lost the connection. "Tim?"
"Please Calleigh..."
S/C-------
Calleigh walked into her house, shocked to find it swarming with various co-workers of hers.
"What's going on?" Abbie was very confused.
"I have no idea." Calleigh pushed her way into the living room and saw Tim sitting on the couch, his head in his hands. "Tim!"
He jumped up and pulled her into his arms.
'Go upstairs.' he mouthed over Calleigh's shoulder to Abbie. She nodded and disappeared upstairs.
"What's going on?" Calleigh mumbled into his chest, holding him tightly. She got a weird feeling that something wasn't right.
"Please don't start freaking out..."
"Tim, what's going on?"
"About two hours ago, Jen said she was going for a jog."
"And?"
"And... she hasn't come back. I told her to make it fast and she said okay. I figured she was going around the block so when she didn't come back I went to look for her and I found her walkman on the sidewalk." Tim said quietly and he felt Calleigh freeze in his arms. "Calleigh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let her gone. I..."
"No! No Tim, honey this isn't your fault." Calleigh reassured, holding him tighter. Tears slowly slid down her cheeks and Tim rubbed her back soothingly. The phone rang and Calleigh practically lunged at it. Tim gently took it from her hand.
"No one knows you're still alive and I think it would be really odd if they hear you for the first time over a year since they think you've died." he said quietly. He looked over at Tyler, who nodded, pressing a few buttons. Tim turned the phone on and ran a hand through his hair. "Hello?"
"Speedle..."
Calleigh sunk down onto the couch as Kerner's voice filled the house.
"Kerner..."
"I'm sure you're wondering what's going on?"
"I've been filled in but yeah I am wondering where you have my daughter."
"Your daughter?"
"Yes."
"So you know huh?"
"It's not that hard to figure out. Where is she?"
"Right here."
"Can I talk to her?"
There was silence for a moment. Tim looked at Tyler, who nodded, meaning they still had a connection.
"I'm tracing him." he said quietly.
"Kerner?"
"Daddy!"
"Oh Jenny!"
Calleigh jumped off the couch and tugged at Tim's arm. He held up one finger and she sighed deeply.
"Daddy, I'm scared."
"I know honey. I know. Listen, everything's gonna be fine. I promise I won't let him hurt you okay? Jenny, you trust me right?"
"Yeah."
Calleigh yanked the phone out of Tim's hand and pulled it to her ear.
"Jenny? Honey, are you still there?"
"Mommy!" Jen was sobbing by now and she yelled out in pain as they all heard a slap, skin against skin.
"Tyler, do you have it yet!" Tim yelled.
"I'm trying!" he squeaked.
"Mommy, I want to come home."
"I know baby. I want you home too. But I promise that Daddy and I are gonna find you okay? Jen?"
"Calleigh..."
"You son of a bitch!" she screamed. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because I need my revenge." Kerner disconnected and Tim's head snapped to Tyler.
"I got it right at the last second." he nodded.
