A moment later, the million dollar check fell from my hands. I turned in my seat and looked at Jason, all the blood draining from my face. “What? What do you mean she’s missing? Have you called the police?” I shook my head. “No, she would never just wander off. Tell me what you know.” I listened, clutching my cell so tightly my knuckles turned pasty white. “Okay. Got it. I’m going to gather all my friends, and we’ll be there soon to help search for her.”
I set the phone down as Jason’s concerned voice said, “What’s going on?”
“You have to take us to Cornwall Park. Right now. Tell Madison to call Max and Shelby and have everyone meet us there. Ava Rose is m-missing.” My voice finally faltered. “She’s been missing for several hours.”
CHAPTER 12 – THE SEARCH
With his foot heavy on the pedal, Jason maneuvered through traffic as best as he could without being reckless. Meanwhile, I frantically touched base with Ash and told him to gather Noa, the band members, and anyone else they could think of to help search for Ava Rose. Then I called Jessica and Ally but had to leave messages because neither of them answered. Fear had my stomach in knots. My breaths, short and choppy, made it difficult to fill Jason in on the few details I had received from Ava Rose’s foster mother, Robyn. Namely, that the five kids had gone to the sprinkler park at Cornwall around 10:30 a.m. About an hour later, Ava Rose went to the restroom on her own but never came back. How long she’d been gone before the two older kids, Sam and Chloe, became worried was still up for debate. They weren’t sure if it was closer to 10 or 20 minutes. Regardless, when they realized too much time had elapsed, Chloe went looking for her, while Sam stayed and kept an eye on the two younger ones. After finding no traces of Ava, Chloe called Robyn.
In a panic, Robyn rushed to the park and conducted a quick search of her own before calling the police. While awaiting their arrival, she and Chloe approached other park-goers and Sam took the little kids home. Despite talking with a ton of people, Robyn could find no one who’d noticed anything unusual or seen a girl fitting Ava Rose’s description. Before long word had traveled through the playground of a missing girl, and other concerned parents started rounding up their children. By the time the police arrived, everyone was on edge and on alert.
I raised my feet to the glove compartment, grabbed my knees, and bowed my head. “I can’t believe this is happening.” I lifted my head, and turned toward Jason. “Ava Rose is a smart girl. She wouldn’t wander off. No way. Something terrible must have happened.” My stomach clenched and I pressed a hand to it. “I have a really bad feeling about this.”
“You can’t think the worst, Alex.” He stretched a hand over, touched my cheek, but instantly flinched and withdrew. “It’s times like this, when I want to touch you and can’t that I feel so…so inadequate.” He glanced my way, a pained expression dominating his handsome face. “I’m sorry I can’t be everything you need me to be. To comfort you when you need it most.”
Reaching out, I held my hand against the side of his smooth face. “You are everything. I thank God you’re here right now, giving me encouragement, because otherwise, I might be crumbling into a thousand pieces. Either that, or going into hysterics,” I admitted.
“Your hands are ice cold, babe. You need to take care of that.” He braked suddenly, and we both flew forward in our seats. I looked out the window and frowned when I saw a black cat darting across the road in front of us. We exchanged sidelong glances.
“This is so not good,” I muttered.
“We’ll find her,” he said, picking up speed again. “How long did you say she’s been missing?”
I shrugged and noted the dashboard clock read, 3:18 p.m. “A little more than three hours I’d guess.” My voice sounded hollow. Empty.
“Why didn’t they call sooner?”
“I don’t know. A million reasons. I’m not family. They were tied up with the police. They’re just getting ready to expand the search now and realize they need more help.”
“Shhh. You are family to Ava, like a big sister. Forget I asked that dumb question. Let’s just focus. We’ll have a lot of ground to cover, but we can do it.” He stopped talking abruptly, and even though he was focused on driving, he was nodding like he was listening to a bluetooth. Even if he hadn’t been nodding, I would have known Madison was in his head. Every time they communicated, the creases in his forehead deepened, his eyes glazed over, and his right eyebrow twitched. Eventually, he brushed one hand against his temple and then took a deep breath. “Ok, Madison just informed me that she, Ash, Trevon, Shelby, and Laci are already at the park. Ash sent his band friends to the Columbia neighborhood to search. Max started work about twenty minutes ago, and since he’s running the store right now, he can’t leave. But he just found a replacement checker for Jessica, so she’s on her way with Ben. I guess Max insisted Ben go with her, saying the produce department could handle the load without him.”
“What about everyone else in our Circle?” I asked, referring to the remaining Guardians of the Bellingham Circle. All of whom we saw and met up with often but didn’t hang out with socially. They were their own tight-knit group like we were.
“Yes. Kathy and Collin are at work but will join us later. Todd and Lara will be scouring North Bellingham, while Amy and Justin focus on the south. They’ll be paying special attention to cars with kids in them.” His eyes flashed in warning. “According to Madison, it’s pretty chaotic at Cornwall right now. Police have it cordoned off and have closed all three entrances. Anyone who was already parked inside and now wants to leave, has to have their car inspected first.”
Nearing the park, we found traffic on the main street already backed up for at least a mile. Anxious to get there, Jason pulled his truck into a nearby neighborhood, and even though we parked several blocks away, he figured we’d make better time walking. We met up with our friends, who were waiting at the south entrance. Gaining access to the park wasn’t easy. Finally, I produced a picture of Ava Rose from my wallet, convincing them we were close personal friends of the family and would be instrumental in the search. During our solemn jaunt along the dirt path, we passed the first tee of the disc golf course. Memories came flooding back. I glanced toward the picnic tables and shivered. That’s where Ash had broken down – told me the tragic story of how his whole family had died in that horrible car accident. That’s also where I’d found out he was linked with a Ray-pac. This was like the bad news park if ever there was one.
“I know what you’re thinking. Don’t let yourself get carried away with all the bad vibes. You know Ava Rose needs you to stay positive.”
I jerked and caught his eye. “I know. Thanks for kickin’ my butt.”
When Robyn spotted me, she broke into a run. A petite woman with a big heart, she always looked tired and frazzled. She embraced children, offered them a safe and loving home until they could return to their own homes, be adopted, or live independently. I knew she would take in a hundred foster kids if the laws allowed for it, but five was all she had room for in her Victorian house. Ava Rose had been with her a little over a year. But truth be told, Ava Rose had probably spent more time at the Cancer Care Center than at her foster house.
Today, Robyn looked hospital-bound. My guess – she blamed herself for Ava Rose’s disappearance. Probably wished she hadn’t sent the kids to the park without her, even though Sam and Chloe were 15 and 14, respectively. She nearly fainted in my arms when I hugged her, and she started sobbing. My own floodgates opened, and for the umpteenth time that day, my face was drenched with tears. I held Robyn tight and doused her with Essence. Ash was right. I needed to be strong. Strong for Robyn. And strong for Ava Rose. I’d already lost Ellen Zimmerman, the oldest of all my friends. I wasn’t about to lose my youngest friend, too.
After Robyn calmed down long enough to speak in coherent sentences, she thanked us all for coming. Then she proceeded to fill us in on the latest developments. The police had talked with a woman who thought she’d seen a
little girl fitting Ava Rose’s description, walking hand in hand with a man. They’d been in the parking lot by the big open field, but according to the witness, Ava Rose had been smiling. She hadn’t appeared threatened or scared in any way. The lady who’d seen them had even thought to herself how nice it was to see little girl out with her father. She’d hadn’t studied the man but remembered him having short brown hair and an athletic build. She also thought he’d been wearing sunglasses and dark shorts. I pondered this information and asked if that description fit any of their family friends or neighbors, but Robyn said it didn’t.
“Can you tell us what Ava Rose was wearing?” Jason asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“Yes. She was wearing her purple swimsuit and flip-flops, but Chloe said she’d thrown on a pink t-shirt before h-heading to the b-bath-r-rooms.” Robyn burst into tears again. Luckily, her sister and another lady arrived at that exact moment and took over with the moral support. We told them we were going to join the search and would check-in with them later.
As we discussed our best options, Jessica and Ben came running up and joined us. They’d snuck in along a trail located at the back of the park and had somehow avoided security altogether. In the end, we decided to split up and spread out through the surrounding neighborhoods, everybody on their own. Since Ben and Jessica couldn’t travel as fast as the rest of us, their task was to thoroughly explore the park. Once we had our designated areas figured out, I gave Jason a quick squeeze and we all scrambled off in opposite directions.
Wanting to retrace Ava Rose’s steps, I started at the sprinkler park. Despite the temperatures hovering around 80 degrees and the water tubes shooting at full blast, the area was noticeably empty of children. In the neighboring playground, a police officer jotted down notes while talking with a group of adults. I hurried along, passing the undercover picnic area and finally reaching the bathrooms. I turned around. Yep. Too far away to see the sprinkler park from here. I shook my head. Was it safe for an eight year old to make a solo trip to the bathroom? Probably not. I decided there were always dangers lurking around every corner. Whether the threat was posed by nature, I thought while glancing at the noisy creek running under the footbridge, or by man, parents needed to take precautions. In my mind, the buddy system was a must, even through the middle school years.
After inspecting the wet, messy bathroom, I hit the trail running. Jogging along the shady walkways, I hoped to release a little tension. I ran for a good mile, calling out Ava Rose’s name while scoping the brushy areas for any possible signs of foul play. I passed other people who were also out, sweeping the trails and forest. The park was huge, fitting the very definition of “multi-use” with its playfields, tennis courts, open fields, horse shoe pits, and disc golf course. Pretty soon I was sweating, and the further I went, the more frustrated and scared I became.
Nature trails weaved through the rolling woods. But off the beaten path, the dense forest held pockets of secluded, unexplored areas. Traveling along my current path, even the long, dark shadows intimidated me. My mind started playing tricks, and I imagined someone hiding behind a tree, waiting to jump out and claim a victim. Of course, I had an unfair advantage – a Flair that allowed me to anticipate an attack. If only Ava Rose, or any other child who’d ever been snatched, had that same ability.
My stomach recoiled at the idea of someone grabbing Ava Rose. Was she okay? Was she hurt? Had she been kidnapped? Kidnapping was the only explanation that made sense. She would never run away or wander off. She loved her foster family, her school, and her friends. Maybe the eye-witness was wrong, and it wasn’t Ava Rose she’d seen. But if it was, and Ava Rose really had been with a stranger and she’d been smiling, then she’d been tricked.
I clenched my fists and swore. My God, if she had been kidnapped, what would they do to her? Unable to handle the morbid thoughts any longer, I flew off the trail and vomited. Mostly dry heaves, because I hadn’t eaten much all day. They were painful. Felt like someone was pumping out my stomach. Bending over, I grabbed the nearest cedar tree for support, but my hand got caught up in the rough bark. I took deep, faltering breaths and wept. This was too much to take.
Ava Rose had already survived the horrors of cancer – the chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and even the hair loss that went along with that. All things no child should ever have to experience. Then, of course, there would always be abandonment issues because of her loser mother. And now this? She’d just recently finished the last phase of her leukemia treatment – the maintenance stage. She was finally cancer-free and ready to start living again. Not that she had ever stopped living. She was like a mini version of Ellen Zimmerman. With a spunky spirit and contagious smile, her infectious and inspiring nature had always been prominent – even through the pokes and prods of countless treatments. I wiped my mouth on my sleeve and stood up. She deserved to be carefree for once.
Anger took over, welling up inside me, and I sprang back onto the trail. Running faster, I tasted salty tears with every step. At one point, I lost my footing and stumbled. Slamming my fist into the ground, I bounced back to my feet and kicked the gravel. Bits and pieces flew outwards like shrapnel, but I gained no satisfaction. Then I bolted forward. Not caring if someone witnessed me running through the sun-streaked forest at supernatural speeds. Guardians. Oh yes, all us Guardians living in Bellingham with these incredible abilities and none of us had a premonition when it mattered most. Why? Especially when it was personal and would have saved one very important and remarkable little girl. Unbelievable.
And me. A Dentelle, who’d spent hours with her – supplying her with Essence as she’d fought to beat cancer – and I’d had no insight whatsoever? Why? My premonitions only triggered when someone was about to die, so did that mean Ava Rose was still alive and well?
Suddenly, I emerged into a neighborhood and had to slow my pace, because people were out in their yards, doing trivial everyday tasks like weeding or mowing the lawn. Children were running through sprinklers and riding their bikes. Life went on around me like nothing had happened. Like a little girl hadn’t just disappeared in the park next to their homes. I wanted to scream and shout at them. I wanted them to stop and help. I wanted them to feel my pain, my heartache.
If they knew, would they care?
Of course they would. They would help me.
I stopped running and started walking. I tucked my hair behind my ears and wiped my face. I needed to stop giving into the demons that were controlling my imagination, filling it with images of what might or might not be happening to Ava Rose. I needed to block them out and focus. Gathering support was the best thing I could do right now. Appeal to human empathy. People are compassionate by nature and want to help, especially when it involves a missing child.
Having pulled myself together, I stopped and talked with people. I told them what had happened, explained why the park was closed and why they should expect heavy police presence. I asked them to help search and to spread the word that a little girl was missing and needed their help. I encouraged them to hug their own children and keep them close because there was an imposter in our community. For hours, I continued on my mission, speaking with countless families. I was met with compassion and support. People – old, young and everything in between – amazed me, boosted my morale and my hope as they dropped what they were doing and joined me. Pretty soon I had a group of followers, and together we went door to door, spreading the word. People took the news hard, expressing anything from disbelief, to fear and even rage. They held my hand and hugged me – the power of human touch at work. And those that joined me, we worked together long into the evening until it was time…time for them to go home. And time for them to tuck in their little ones…
Hours had passed, the sun had dropped behind the horizon, and stars had cluttered the sky. I didn’t want to stop. Not until I found Ava Rose. But it was dark. Logically I knew I couldn’t continue. But emotionally I couldn’t stop, because that would feel like I’d
given up. And I would never give up on Ava Rose. I should have sent Essence to my heart, but maybe I wanted to punish myself. I couldn’t explain my feelings. I was an emotional wreck. I even refused to answer my phone or my texts. Shock was the only explanation for my actions. Eventually, Jason, Ash, Madison, and Jessica found me. I was huddled in a ball, lying in the middle of the Sprinkler Park. I guess I was waiting for Ava Rose to come back. I vaguely remember Ash carrying me to Jason’s truck and Jessica plastering me with her Essence. I wanted to thank them and tell them I loved them, but I couldn’t. I was shot. Dead tired. Out of it.
They must have taken me home and tucked me in without me realizing what was happening. Because when I awoke, I was in my bed wrapped up in my sheets, and daylight was pouring through my open window. Sunlight streaked over my pillow and up the walls. I rubbed my eyes, turned on my side, and looked around groggily. My heart melted. Jason was in a sleeping bag on the floor next to my bed, and he was gazing up at me. Worry lines etched into the skin around his wide-open aqua-marine eyes.
“You had me pretty scared,” he said.
“I’m sorry.” My voice cracked like it was parched. “What time is it?”
“About six.” He pointed to my nightstand. “I put a water bottle there for you.”
I attempted a smile and reached for it. Noticing my Orca figurine was missing, I wondered if Jason had bumped it and it had fallen to the floor. After taking a drink, I said, “Will you come up here with me? I want to hold…I mean, be closer to you.”
I melted under his tender expression. “I thought you’d never ask,” he said, scurrying out of his sleeping bag. Crawling under the covers with me, he adjusted the extra pillow. As he held it up, he raised an eyebrow. “Really? Denver Bronco sheets?”
Dentelle #3 Guardian series Page 21
