February 18th, 1991

Dear Daddy,

Daddy! I'm really scared! Even more scared than when Grandma Joan wanted to take me away from you and Mommy!

I went to school as usual today, but half-way through reading, the principal's assistant came to my room and told me to get all my stuff. She said that my mommy was coming to pick me up. That's really weird, because Mommy almost never comes to school to pick me up, except when I'm sick or I have to go to the dentist. Remember how she always says that school is VERY important, and you have to be at school to learn? That's what she always tells me, and that's why she says she never picks me up early to take me for ice cream or to go shopping, like some other kids' parents do. I got all of my things (the teacher didn't even have to give me an homework! Mommy helped me work ahead!) and waited in the principal's office for Mommy to pick me up. When Mommy came in, she didn't look AT ALL like Mommy. She was all nervous and twitchy and she looked like she had just been crying. A man was also with her too. I started to ask Mommy who this man was, but she just shook her head. Mommy signed me out, and told the assistant my uncle had died and that we would be out-of-town for a couple days. Mommy grabbed my hand and pulled me to the car. The man with her put his arm around Mommy's shoulders (the way you always do, Daddy) and opened the car door for her. I could tell Mommy trusted the man because she relaxed. That made me feel a little better. There was someone in the driver's seat of the car, so Mommy sat in the back with me.

Once everyone got buckled in and the driver pulled out of the school parking lot, the strange man finally spoke. "Hi, Kelly. My name is Agent Mike and the man driving here is Agent Hal, and we're here to protect you."

"Protect me from what?" I asked. "Anyway, that's Daddy's job. HE'S the one who's supposed to protect Mommy and me."

Agent Mike sighed and glanced at Mommy. Mommy gave a small nod. "Well, Kelly, your mom saw someone do something they weren't supposed to do, and that person might want to come and try to hurt you and your mom. That's why we're here. We can protect you from the bad guys. Plus, I talked with your daddy, and he said since he's away protecting other people's families, he's passing the responsibility of protecting you and your mom along to me and my team."

We pulled into our driveway, and Agent Mike pressed something to his ear. "All clear," he told Mommy. Then he and Agent Hal took me and Mommy into the house, all the while looking over their shoulders. Inside the house, there were two more agents, Agent Vera (I like her! She's funny!) and Agent Paul. Mommy sent me up to my room so she could have "adult conversation" with all the agents, but what she doesn't know is that I was at the top of the steps listening in. Shhh! Don't tell her! I couldn't hear much because they were talking really quietly, but she sounded really scared and at one point, I think she started crying again! I heard one of the agents hand her a tissue and then I heard her blow her nose. I did hear them talking about going to a new house, and at first I heard her say "No!" really loudly. Then, everything went to whispers again, and I couldn't hear anything.

I hope we don't have to leave, Daddy! I don't want to go! I don't want to leave my friends and my school and my house! I love and miss you lots, and please, Daddy! Please come home! Mommy and I really, really, really need you! PLEASE?!

Love,

Kelly

A/N: Thanks for reading. :)