Alone

Chapter 14: And The Parents Worry

Marie Tate POV (Alicia's mother)

It has been over a month since my daughter went missing and our searches haven't turned up a single thing. We have tried to keep everything quiet considering something like this has happened before. Alicia is a grown woman and there have been times she has had to leave without notice for long periods of time for certain jobs. It isn't anything new but she is very good at staying in contact with us and keeping us informed. Something is telling me that this time is different.

The last time I spoke with her she didn't have any jobs lined up and she was only traveling to Philon 4 for a quick shopping trip with friends. She was supposed to be picking out a dress for the upcoming awards ceremony, in which Professor John Adams was being honored and where she and the Professor's very handsome and successful son Tristan were to publicly announce their intentions for one another. As her mother, I am beyond thrilled for their union. It would not only solidify our family position among the top of the academic tier but it would also guarantee that Alicia would have a secure and comfortable future.

I know she had her oppositions to the union and I assured her that it was in no way set in stone and she agreed to give it a chance at least.

Both my husband and I have spoken to her friends and any work colleagues that she may have had contact with recently, but so far none have heard from her.

There are only a few days left until the awards dinner and I cannot believe she would run away from her responsibilities. Even if she completely refused to dating Tristan Adams, I would never force her into it. She has always been able to come to me or her father about absolutely anything and we always listen to her. I've always believed we have had a great relationship with our daughter, which is why her disappearance troubles me so much.

I'm sitting on our outside patio, drinking some tea and I'm holding the glass so tight it's only a matter of time before it shatters. I've been sitting here for hours, awaiting my husband Anthony's return.

He left early this morning for the office of the Affairs, where we hope to be able to track down Alicia's space cruiser and get an idea of where she is. This is not like her at all. We have both tried to contact her on her cell phone,her apartment reciever, her cruiser connection and literally everything else we could think of. We have exhausted every avenue and we are still left with no answers and no leads.

I am holding onto every bit of sanity and hope I have left. I refuse to think of the worse. She is my daughter and the most important person in my life, besides my husband of course. I know she is strong and no matter what has happened she will be and must be fine.

***

Anthony Tate POV ( Alicia's father)

My knuckles are beyond white from gripping the steering wheel. I have no idea what I'm going to tell my wife, well I'm going to tell her the truth but I wish it was a different truth I had to tell.

Usually this drive home back to our estate from the city goes by fast and it is peaceful for the most part. This trip however I am driving slow and dreading my destination.

I love my wife and I love my daughter and my family is the most important part of my life. I would never want to see either of them hurt but at this moment I have no good news to deliver to my wife and I have no idea where my sweet daughter is.

My entire day has been spent at the office of Affairs, followed by a trip to the dealership where I purchased Alicia's new space cruiser and now I am heading home with news that once given to my wife will have us both in tears. Throughout the day, I've been able to hold in my emotions, but as soon as I see Marie break down I will as well.

I pull into the driveway and I can see my wife sitting out on the patio. She smiles at me before I get out of the car but the smile doesn't reach her eyes. I can see the hope on her face begin to fade the closer I get to her. Before I even have the chance to say anything, the tears are already forming in her eyes.

"Just tell me she's not dead Anthony! I need to know that much." I try not to fall apart while I watch my strong beautiful wife fall to her knees in front of me.

I fall down with her and hold her in my arms while we break down together.

"What did they say? I need to know," she begs me.

I put my hands on both sides of her face and she leans into my palms. I try to wipe the tears off her cheeks but they continue to fall. "Marie, they can't find her. They cannot even locate the space cruiser." My own tears begin to fall.

"Tony, what does that even mean? They should be able to locate her cruiser anywhere in the galaxy! I don't understand what any of this means! Was, was it destroyed!?" She covers her face with her hands and sobs uncontrollably.

I take her in my arms and we fall apart together. "My love, I have no idea what any of this means but I know in my heart and I can feel it in my bones that she is still alive! You and I are brilliant scientists and we will find her! If they cannot locate her cruiser in this galaxy then she must be in a different one. We will find our daughter, whether she's in a different galaxy or another dimension or wherever she may be...you and I will find her."

I am beyond determined and between my wife and myself, we have the capability, resources, and intelligence to figure this out. For now though, I continue to hold my lovely wife in my arms and we release our sorrows together. Tomorrow we will start fresh and begin our search for Alicia. Wherever my baby girl is, I will find her and bring her home!