Sorry for the long wait and I'm sorry I didn't post this yesterday like I promised. I didn't have the time. But it's posted now. Enjoy!
"Nevie," Leo cooed, knocking on the door to her room, "Time to get up. Nevaeh, come on. It's time for school!"
Leo waited for the usual 'okay Daddy' or, on a bad day, a grumble or two. But today there was nothing and Leo was getting more and more worried.
"Nevie?" Leo asked, pushing open the door, "Nevaeh Bloom, you bette-"
Leo just stood there, his eyes wide open. The purple sheets on his daughter's bed were thrown aside and the drawer where she kept the few precious dollars she'd gotten from Uncle Max was open. The contents of Nevie's schoolbag were all over the floor and hangers were thrown all about.
"No," Leo muttered, "No. It can't be true. Nevaeh Ursula Lily Lea Angel Zoey Bloom get over here this instant. This isn't funny! Nevie! Where are you?"
But there was no answer. Leo let out a sob when he saw Marko Dog lying on the floor. He dashed over and picked it up, stroking its soft fuzz and holding it close to his heart.
Still clutching Marko Dog to his chest, Leo made his way over to the telephone and dialed a number he knew by heart.
"Bialystock and Bloom," an all-to-familiar voice said.
"Max!" Leo nearly shouted, "YouhavetocomeoverhereNevieisgoneandIdon'tknowwhattodoI'msoscared!"
"Whoa, Leo, calm down. Take a deep breath and try again." Max instructed.
Leo took a deep breath and started again. "Max," he said, "Nevie is gone. She packed up some stuff and left. I went to go wake her up this morning and she was gone. Max, I don't know what to do!"
"I'm sure she'll be okay," Max reassured.
"Max," Leo said, "She's only six!"
"So maybe I was wrong," Max said, "I'll drop Jeffy off at school and be right over, okay?"
"Thanks Max." Leo said before hanging up the phone.
He looked back at Marko Dog and gave him a hug. "I hope she's okay," he whispered to no one in particular, "I don't know what I'll do if she's not."
Making sure the door was locked, Leo cautiously pulled out the hunter green, leather journal and began to write.
April 25,
Nevie's run away. I don't know where she went, but I'm so worried! I don't know what I'd do if we never found Nevie. She's my life. I don't know why she ran away, but I don't care. I want my daughter back.
Leo quickly shoved the journal away when he heard a knock on the door. "Coming!" he called, double-checking to make sure the journal was safely hidden before running to get the door.
"Leo," Max said, shoving his way into his friend's apartment, "I came as quick as I could."
"Thanks Max."
"Well, let's call the police," Max mused, picking up the phone.
Leo zoned out as Max talked with the policeman on the other end of the line. He gently fell to the floor and crawled into the other room, pulling himself onto his bed and wrapping the blankets around him. He reached over the bedside table and opened the drawer and pulled out a familiar object- his blue blanket. He closed his eyes and took in its scent, immediately calming down a bit.
He suddenly felt a strong hand on his shoulder. His eyes shot open and he looking straight at Max.
"AH GET OFF!" Leo yelled, "LET ME GO! YOU'RE GOING TO SQUISH ME TO DEATH!"
"I'm not going to hurt you," Max reassured, squeezing his friend's shoulders tighter.
"YOU'RE SQUISHING ME!" Leo yelled, "YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME! GO AWAY GO AWAY GO AWAY! I'M IN HYSTERICS!"
Max, remembering what happened last time, immediately backed away. "Better?" he asked, trying his best to smile.
Leo took a few deep breaths before saying, "Yes, much better. Sorry about that Max."
"No problem Leo," Max said, "Now come on. We have to go down to the police station."
Leo nodded and got up, making sure Marko Dog was safely in his pocket before heading off.
