Nowhere to be Found

Content Warning: This story contains sensitive content including child abduction, violence, and emotional distress. Reader discretion is advised.

"She's gone missing…? When?"

"Last night. I woke up this morning, and she wasn't in her bed. I thought maybe she'd gone to the bathroom, but she wasn't there either. I checked everywhere."

"Oh my god, Tori! Did you check the backyard? Maybe she went outside to play early?"

"Of course, I checked the backyard! I checked the whole house, top to bottom. She's not the type to just wander off, especially not this early in the morning."

"Okay, okay. Have you called the police?"

"Not yet. I...I don't know. I was so panicked; I called you first. You know how they are. They'll assume the worst, that I'm a bad mother..."

"Tori, stop. Listen to me… You need to call them. Now. The sooner they start looking, the better. Every second counts."

"You're right. I'll call them now."

"Good. I’ll be right over. Just stay put.”

"Thank you, Sam. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Don't worry, we'll find her. Just breathe."

***

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

"My daughter... she's missing. I can't find her anywhere."

"Ma'am, can you give me your name and address?"

"Victoria Brooks, 123 Main Street."

"And the missing person's name and age?"

"Rose Brooks, she's six years old. She has long dark hair, light brown eyes... and she was wearing her favorite pajamas, the ones with the little bunnies on them."

"Mrs. Brooks, we'll send someone over to take a statement. In the meantime, try not to worry."

"But how can I not worry? She's just a little girl!"

"I understand, Ma'am. But it's important that you stay calm and answer the officer's questions clearly. Can you do that?"

"Yes... yes, I'll try."

"Good. An officer will be there soon."

***

"Tori, it's me...Sam."

"Oh, thank God. I'm so glad you're here. I'm a mess."

"I told you I'd come. Have the police been here yet?"

"Not yet. They said they'd send someone over soon."

"Did you find anything else? Any clues? Anything out of place?"

"Nothing. It's like she just vanished into thin air. Her bed was unmade as if she got up normally. But her favorite stuffed animal, Mr. Snuggles, is gone too."

"Mr. Snuggles? That's her little teddy bear, right?"

"Yes! She never goes anywhere without him. It's strange..."

"Maybe she took him with her. Did you check the windows? Are any of them unlocked?"

"I... I don't know. I'll check."

"The one in the living room was unlocked! But it's too high for her to reach... Oh god, do you think someone took her?"

"We don't know that yet, Tori. Let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe she climbed on a chair or something. We need to stay calm and wait for the police."

"Someone's at the door. I think that's them."

"Hello, I'm Detective Smith. You must be Mrs. Brooks."

"Yes, that's me. Come in."

"I'm here to ask you some questions about your daughter's disappearance."

"Of course. Anything to help find her."

"Can you tell me what happened last night?"

"I put Rose to bed around 8 pm. I read her a story, like always. She was asleep within minutes. I checked on her a few times throughout the night, and she was sound asleep. But when I woke up this morning, she was gone."

"Did you notice anything unusual last night? Any strange noises, any cars outside, anything like that?"

"Nothing... It was a normal night. We had dinner, watched a little TV, then got ready for bed. Everything was fine."

“What about her father...? Is he in the picture?”

“Yes, my husband. But... he's deployed overseas.”

"And you're sure you checked everywhere in the house?"

"Yes, I'm positive. I even checked the backyard, the shed, the basement... everywhere."

"Did Rose have any friends or other family she might have gone to? Anyone she might wander off to see?"

"No, she's only six. She doesn't have any friends outside of school, and my family lives out of state."

"Alright, Mrs. Brooks. We're going to start our investigation and let you know if we find anything. But, before we leave, we'll need to take a look around the house, if that's fine with you."

"Of course, Detective. Anything to help find my Rose."

"Thank you. And please, try to stay hopeful. We'll do everything we can to find your daughter."

"I appreciate that."

"Tori, I'm going to go check the park down the street. Rose loves playing there. Maybe she wandered off there last night."

"That's a good idea. I'll stay here in case the police come back."

"Alright. I'll call you if I find anything."

"Be careful, Sam."

***

"Hello? Tori, it's me. I found something."

"What is it? Did you find Rose?"

"No, but I found Mr. Snuggles. It was lying on the ground near the playground."

"Oh my God!... What does that mean?"

"I don't know, but it can't be good. I'm going to call the police and let them know."

"Please, hurry. I'm coming over there right now."

"No, Tori, wait! The police wouldn’t want us to contaminate the scene. Just stay at the house."

"But..."

"I know, but we have to trust them. I'm calling them right now."

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

"Hello, Detective Smith please.”

“Please hold.”

“Detective Smith speaking.”

"Detective, it's Samantha Jones... Sam, Tori Brooks' friend. I found Rose’s teddy bear – the one she always carries around. It was just lying on the ground at the neighborhood park."

"What? Okay, I'm on my way. Can you stay there and make sure nobody touches anything?"

"Yes, of course."

"Thank you. I'll be there soon."

"Tori, the police are on their way to the park. They're going to search the area."

"Oh God, I hope they find her."

"I know. We just have to stay positive."

"I'm trying, but it's getting harder and harder."

"I get it. Just hang in there. They'll find something, I’m certain of it."

***

"Detective Smith, we've searched the entire park, but there's no sign of the girl."

"Damn it! We need to widen our search. Check all the nearby houses and businesses. See if anyone saw anything. Check security cameras, anything! We need to find this little girl and we’re running out of time."

"Yes, sir."

"Tori, the police are widening their search. They're checking all the houses in the neighborhood, talking to people, looking at security footage..."

"That's good, right? It means they're taking this seriously?"

"Yes, it means they're not giving up."

"I hope so. I can't... I can't lose her."

"They'll find her, Tori. I know they will."

"I hope you're right."

***

"I think the police are back."

"Mrs. Brooks, we have some news."

"Is it about Rose? Did you find her?"

"Yes, we found her."

"Oh my God, is she okay? Is she hurt?"

"She's alive, but she's been through a lot. We found her in an abandoned house a few blocks from here. She was hiding in a closet."

"Who took her? Why? Was she hurt?"

"We're still investigating, but we have a suspect in custody. It appears to be a case of a kidnapping gone bad. The suspect has a history of similar offenses. Rose is being checked out at the hospital, but she seems physically unharmed."

"Oh my God. I can't believe this happened. I can't believe someone would do this."

"I understand, it's a terrible thing. But the important thing is that Rose is alive."

"Can I see her?"

"Yes, of course. She's at the hospital right now. We'll take you there."

"Thank you, Detective. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Brooks. We're just glad we could bring your daughter home."

***

"Rose!"

"Mommy!"

"Mrs. Brooks, I'm so glad Rose is okay."

"Me too. I can't believe this nightmare is finally over."

"I know. It's been a long day."

"But it's a happy ending."

"Yes, it is. A very happy ending, but frightening, nevertheless. We need to get you both home. But first, we’ll need to speak with Rose."

"Detective, Rose has been through a lot. Could we do this tomorrow? Perhaps you could stop by the house around noon?"

“Sure…I understand. I’ll have an officer drive you all home.”

"Thank you. And, in the meantime, I'm never letting her out of my sight again."

"I think that's a good idea."