Hello everyone! Thank you for all your reviews! Here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it. I would have added a bit more but I just didn't have the time due to school and homework.
"What do…you want?" I was gently being eased into a room that had one bed and a dresser. We recently arrived to whatever this place is after being in that SUV for a few hours. I know for a fact that we aren't in Seattle, maybe a town over? I'm not too sure. I walked over to the window and stared at the trees and the birds that fluttered around the fountain.
"Ana, this is very important and I need you to cooperate with me." My mother's voice was sweet, soft, but very demanding.
I turned around to look at her, noticing how the man who was in the car was lurking. "Who…is that?" I asked, pointing to him.
Before she had the chance to speak, he stepped forward and opened his mouth. "You don't need to worry about who I am. All you need to do is listen to your mother." His tone was hard and almost menacing. He was almost scary, but I wasn't going to let that show on my face.
"Jack, that is enough, just back off." I saw the seriousness that took over my mom's features. Her eyes narrowed in on him, but he gave her the same look.
"We don't have time for this." He spat out.
"Yes we do. We won't be able to go back to Seattle for a while. They'll be looking for her. We have time and we need to lay low! You need to calm down alright? Maybe if you're not such an ass she might cooperate with you." I don't know about all of that but I'd consider it, depending on what it is he wants so bad.
"You think you can do better?" He nearly yelled, but my mom didn't flinch.
"Yes. Can you give us a few minutes?"
"Fine." He walked out the door and slammed it, making me jump in reaction.
She turned to me, an apologetic look on her face. "Sorry, about that." She walked closer and sat on the bed, patting next to her. I ignored her invitation to sit down. This wasn't a friendly long time no see visit. No…she gave me no choice.
"What do…you…want?"
"Why are you talking like that?" She asked, tilting her head.
"Maybe…if you…didn't…leave me…I wouldn't…be talking….like….this."
A look of hurt and regret flashed over her face but was gone within the next second. And I almost regretted saying it. Almost. "Ana, look I'm sorry about…."
"Save it. Just…tell me…what…you want." I didn't have time for her apologies, well I did, I just didn't want to hear them.
"Okay." She sighed. "Bob…"
My eyes went wide as she mentioned him. "What…about….dad?"
She looked like she was battling some sort of inner thoughts as she scrunched her eyebrows together and rubbed her temples. "I…" She started and then slightly shook her head. "Look, Bob was a good man but he had a really dark past and secret."
"Secret?"
"Yes, he was a drug dealer, he smuggled it, and he used it."
"I know…" I started. "He abused…me….because of it."
"No, Ana, I mean, he's been doing it before I left and since you were a little girl."
Okay now that I didn't know. "Okay…"
"He's accumulated so much money with his…talents and I need it."
"You…forced me…to come…here….because…I you want…dad's money?" I scoffed and stood up in outrage. "What is…wrong with…you?"
"Ana, it's over five million dollars." My mouth fell open and I closed my eyes and then reopened them, trying to take in what she just said. "Yes, I said five million. He has it hidden somewhere. In the house or his business building."
"What does….that have…to…do…with me?"
"I need your help. I don't know where he would have hidden it and I don't know the codes to his safe."
"And…what makes…you think…I do?" I countered.
"There has to be something, anything you remember from living with him."
"So…this….is why…you wanted me? To…help get money. Not to see…me…or even….wonder how I'm….doing." I crossed my hands over my chest and waited for her answer.
"I'm sorry. I can't do anything to change the past and I'm sorry that I left. If I knew Bob was going to treat that way, I would have taken you with me. I still can't grasp that he did what he did to you." She smiled to herself and let a tear escape. "He loved you so much. When you were little it was hard to separate the two of you. He'd take you to work and he'd sit you on his lap and make you laugh for hours." She wiped at her face and straightened up. "I can't change the past but I can make up for it in the future. I want this money for me and for you. I want you to come with me."
"Him…too?" I gestured to the door.
"Yes…" She said. "I love him."
"I don't…like him."
"Ana please can you help me with this?"
"I have…no other…choice?"
"He won't give you one." She said in a unfortunate tone.
"And you? Will…you….give me…one?"
"I…I don't know. Ana please, we need this. I can't do this without you. I've missed you so much. I need you and need you to do this with me."
"Fine. But…I don't…think…I will….stay with you."
"But Ana, please, you have to."
"I…don't have…to do anything." I replied, "You're lucky…I'm doing this."
"Okay…I just hope you change your mind and forgive me."
It was sweet but little did she know I already had forgiven her. If I hadn't I would be angry all the time. I would have taken it out on other people, Christian, Elliot, Mia, Tyler, Adrian, Grace, Carrick… They didn't deserve my misguided rage. I was still hurt that my mother left and even though she came back for selfish reasons, it really was nice seeing her. But I wasn't going to admit that to her. We were a long way from any sort of reasonable relationship. "So…what are…we doing?"
"We need to search the house and his business building from top to bottom. We need to look in and at every nook in cranny. There has to be something. I was thinking that maybe you had some memories of anything that could help."
"From when…I was…young…or recent?"
"Either one, we just need something to help us get somewhere."
I couldn't really think of anything. I spent a lot of time in my room and trying to avoid my father. I remember him always making phone calls and yelling at whoever was on the other line. "I…can't think…of…anything."
"That's okay. We have plenty of time. I know you don't want to be here and I know I went about bringing you to this place in the wrong way. But you will be staying here until we can start taking action. Is there anything I can get for you?"
I had a feeling I was going to be here for a while and as much as I would love to try and escape, I don't think I could leave my mom here with that guy. I don't like him and he gives off weird vibes. I didn't know where to go and I didn't want to call the police and lead them here. I already lost one parent, as shitty as he became but he was still my parent. I didn't want to lose another one. At least she never abused me and she did seem generally sorry. Ugh, I was so confused and lost. "Books. I…need…my books."
"You still read, do you?"
"Yes. Can you…get them…for me?" I sighed. "They're at…the…house."
"I don't think that's a good idea, but I can give you copies of all the ones you had."
"Fine…but there…is…one book…I need…."
"Which is?"
"The Hobbit."
Her lips parted. "You still have that?"
"Yes. I read…it…constantly."
"I…I will see what I can do." She smiled and stood up from the bed. "I will find you all the books that I can. Okay?"
I nodded and watched her leave. I was finally able to breathe with the peacefulness of my isolation. Throwing myself on the bed, I stared up at the ceiling. I can't believe this was happening to me. I was finally somewhere good; somewhere I knew I would always be safe. And Christian….
Oh my god!
He's probably going crazy right now, wondering where I am. Not to mention the others as well. I don't even have a phone or anything. Dammit! I knew I should have brought it with me. I just hope he doesn't think the worst has happened to me. I'd give anything right now just to let him know that I'm okay.
###
Meanwhile back in Seattle…
"Can I get a description please?" The officer had his pen and paper out ready to write down the words. The Grey's were all worried and didn't know how to react.
Christian was the first to speak, taking a step forward from the rest of his family who had tears forming in their eyes. "She has pale skin, but its fare, her hair is long and wavy. It's a little past her mid back. She has bright blue eyes and she's a little on the thin size."
The officer nodded. "How old is she?"
"Seventeen." Christian said.
"Please, officer, do everything you can to find her." Grace placed a hand on Christian's shoulder and tried desperately not lose her control. She left work as soon as the kids called and told her Ana was missing, Carrick as well. He stepped forward to console his wife before she overworked her emotions.
"I promise to do my best and bring her home to you. Usually we won't start looking until the person has been missing for at least twenty four to forty eight hours, but we will definitely be keeping our eyes open until then." He gave an assuring smile and exited the door. Christian gently closed in behind him and turned to his family.
"Where could she possibly be?" Mia pleased, her big eyes filling with salty liquid.
"Maybe she's fine…" Elliot started. "She likes to be alone a lot."
Christian knew that wasn't true. They had been together, she had been there with him. And they had just shared something so beautiful. That was the first time for both of them, making love. Sure it wasn't the first he fucked, but what he did with Ana was more than that. It was the best sex he ever had, with someone he cared deeply for and even loved. No…there is no way should would have left to be alone. He knew something was terribly wrong. When he had gotten back to the car, her door was wide open. He knew that something happened to her. "She didn't take off to be alone." Christian didn't tell them where he and Ana really were. He mentioned to Elliot earlier that they were going to the store so that's so that where he said that she vanished from. He knew it was wrong to lie but he could tell them. If the police asked him questions in private he would answer, but for now, he wanted to keep it to himself.
"Well what happened again?" Carrick asked.
"Ana and I were at the store. We didn't find anything we wanted so we left, but…" Christian racked his brain. "Then I had to go to the bathroom so I told her to wait in the car, when I got back she was gone and the car door was wide open." Christian knew he had to come clean soon, but now just wasn't the time.
"Do you think she was taken?"
"I…I don't know!" Christian was beginning to get frustrated and he ran upstairs ignoring the calls from his parents. He didn't know what to do or what to think. Somehow he thought this was his fault. If he didn't leave Ana alone, she'd be home with him right now. He desperately wanted to search for her on his own, but he thought that would have been a foolish thing to do. There was no light bulb flashing on the top of his head and he had no idea where to start, where she could be, or who would want to take her and he…
Christian hopped out of bed and pulled his phone of his pocket, dialing Ana's number and putting it to his ear. "Come…" He said.
His idea soon went to shit when he heard her phone's ringtone on the other side of the room. He then threw his own phone, in anger, letting it come in contact with the wall and shatter into numerous pieces.
###
I lied on my bed and opened a book. It was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, published in…I think it was 1949. It's an antique, old, and worn. I have to make sure to wash my hands before I read it. I've been reading a lot lately, ever since my mother decided to use me for her bidding. Although, she's really trying hard to make up for the past. I'm still giving her a tough time, but it's a little difficult, she is my mother and I just can't help but to become soft. Before she left me with my dad, everything was great, she was the best mom I could ever ask for. She did her best to get me everything I wanted, she cooked the most delectable meals, and the feel of her hands running through my hair as she tried to sing me to sleep was everything I could want in a mom. She's been really kind to me but that Jack guy…Ugh. He is rude and impatient. And I can't stand….
"And, come on. It's time." My mom smiled and I couldn't help but to return it. Finally, after four months of waiting, we were finally leaving. She told me that I was all over the news and the Grey's were looking for me. It's died down in the past two months so now I guess they've decided to start the plan. I've been stuck here most of the time, occasionally taking walks with my mom, but mostly here, reading. Not that I was complaining. I loved to read. Since mom knew I still loved to read, she's been buying me books, non-stop. Garage sales, half priced books, antiques shops, you name it she's been there. In four month you wouldn't think it's possible to acquire at least a thousand books. Well it is possible. What else am I supposed to do for months and months? "Are you ready?"
"Yes. I am ready." I said as I got off the bed and walked out the door, following right behind her.
Jack leaned against the wall with his hands in his pocket, a stern look on his face. "Let's go." He said. "You both remember what we're doing?"
"Yes," I said, rolling my eyes.
"I'm sick of your attitude." He pointed at me.
"And I'm just sick of you!" I retorted. Ever since my speech started to improve, I've been talking back and giving him as much hell as I possibly could.
"You know what? Ever since your mother has been helping you out, you've been a pain in my ass." He spat out.
"Well, get over it Jack, cause I'm going to keep being a pain…..until the day I never have to look at your….face again."
"Why you little…"
"Jack, that's enough. Can we please not fight and just go? We're wasting valuable time." My mom cut in and saved her little boyfriend some face.
He replied my yanking the door open and stepping outside. She followed him and then I followed her, wondering what the hell we were getting into. We walked a ways to get to the car but once we were in and seated, the car took off and I spent the next few hours staring at the window and twirling my locket in my fingers. It was going to be a very long day, I could feel it.
I woke with light shaking on my shoulders. "Ana, we're here."
Yawning, I stretched out my body and looked out the window. We were here, at the house that I used to live in. Jack part a little ways over so the house still looked empty. I hesitated before I got out of the car. There so many thoughts running through my mind. It's been eight months since I've been here and four since I last been in Seattle. It was spring now, the beginning of April to be exact. The air was still cool, but it was warm enough to wear shorts. I took a few steps and walked up to the house.
"Ana, what the hell are you doing? Do you want to get caught? Sneak in the back!" Jack yelled.
I just sucked my teeth at him and rolled my eyes, veering towards the back gate. I unlocked it and went inside with the two of them behind me. The feeling of my necklace moving was bothering me so I placed it in my shirt. "How are we going to get in?" I asked as I turned the corner. Once we went up the five stairs to the porch, Jack maneuvered around me and my mom, taking out something in his back pocket. It was a trifold filled with tools, tools that you used to pick locks. I got to hand it to him, he was smart and crafty, but not only is it craft it's illegal.
"You do realize you're committing at least four crimes…right now?" I pointed out. "All at the same time."
"What are you talking about?" He said with annoyance, as he concentrated.
"Well for one…your trespassing…two, your using picklocks, three, your breaking and entering…and four you have cocaine in your pocket." I saw it sticking out earlier; maybe he isn't that smart after all.
He quickly reached for his pocket and pushed it further in. "In order to get what you want, you need to break the rules."
"I think you're an idiot." I said, crossing my arms over my shoulders. I felt my mom's hands rest on my shoulders gently pulling me back.
Jack glanced at me but didn't say anything, just returned to his unlawful activities. He got the door open in no time, making me wondering exactly how long he's been doing stuff like this. We stepped in and everything looked the same as I last saw it. There was the same old furniture, the TV, the kitchen. It was almost as if I was in a dream, a dream of the past and I never once left. There was a one plate in the sink; it was the one my dad last used when he told me to make him a sandwich. We crossed the room and entered the living room. "Alright. Carla, Ana, you two can start upstairs. I want you to look everywhere okay!"
Carla and I didn't reply, we just made out way upstairs and began the search for five million dollars.
Please tell me what you think! As you can see Ana is getting better at her communication skills. Would you guys like only one more chapter of Ana being away? Or do you want two more? There will still be a time lapse and if you want only one more chapter than I will fit 2 into 1. Please let me know!:)