Chapter 4

Brittney was roaming the streets of downtown Chicago. She didn't want to go home, but knew her family would be looking for her, if they discovered she was gone.

" I can't live with a lie," Brittney thought," What a wonderful birthday present. Why did my parents decide to tell me now?"

Brittney didn't know why, but she was heartbroken and needed to clear her head.

Meanwhile. Michael and Sara were driving around looking out closely for Brittney.

" Brittney has gotten mad at us before," Michael said.

" But she didn't run away," Sara said," And she got mad at you."

" I found out she lied," Michael said," I grounded her for it."

" Now she's all alone in a big city," Sara said," Michael she's only 13."

Michael took Sara's hand in his," We will find her," he said," We should get out and walk for awhile. Brittney is resourceful"

" She's also very vunerable," Sara said," I have to find our daughter."

Michael parked in a parking garage and he and Sara began walking the streets in search of their daughter. Neither Michael nor Sara noticed that Brittney was in the park and saw them.

" I don't want to go home yet," Brittney thought.

Then Brittney heard someone calling her. She turned to see her cousin LJ walking up to her.

" LJ," Brittney said.

" What are you doing out here?" LJ asked.

Brittney looked at him. Brittney thought of LJ as more of a big brother then a cousin. LJ worked as an EMT, Brittney admired LJ for that.

" I ran away from home," Brittney said," Did you know that my father was in prison?"

LJ shook his head.

" Why didn't you tell me?" Brittney asked.

" It was not my place to say," LJ told her," Let me take you home."

" No," Brittney said running in the other direction.

LJ watched her go and picked up his phone. It rang a few times before it was answered.

" LJ," he heard.

" Dad," LJ said," I just saw Brittney she was in Grant Park, but then she ran off."

" I will call Michael," Lincoln said.

" I'll call Uncle Mike," LJ said.

" Good lookout LJ," Lincoln said.

Meanwhile, Michael and Sara had split up to look for Brittney, Michael thought he saw Brittney running out of the park. Then his phone rang, LJ was on the line.

" LJ," Michael said.

" I saw Brittney," LJ said," A few minutes ago in the park."

Michael said nothing for a moment, it was Brittney.

" Uncle Mike?" LJ said.

" I'm here," Michael said," I thought I saw her. Now I have to get to her."

" I'll keep my eyes open if she comes back ," LJ said," I know how worried you must be."

" I am," Michael said," Thanks LJ."

Michael hung up the phone and went to look for Sara. He had to tell Sara that Brittney was spotted, but ran away.

In that time, Matthew had woken up and nobody was there.

" Mommy," Matthew said," Daddy."

Veronica came out of the kitchen.

" Matthew," Veronica said.

" Aunt Veronica," Matthew said," Where's my mom? And dad? Uncle Lincoln?"

Veronica sat next to Matthew and hugged him.

" Aunt Veronica," Matthew said," Where is everyone?"

Veronica looked at Matthew's sad eyes.

" Brittney ran away," Veronica said," You mom, dad, and Uncle Lincoln went out to look for her."

" I want my mom," Matthew said with tears in his eyes.

Veronica then knew what she needed to do, she had to call Sara.