My Missing Girl

16. Bad day

Fred ran in a hurry when he saw something he didn't believe in. He saw the masked man. The man he had seen a few years ago, the man who had slaughtered innocent people in the middle of the forest at that time. Without his guilt, he and a few others killed those people and threw them to the bottom of the forested abyss.

Fred was scared because he was so young, in the past.

Today he saw the man at the crossroads near his home. Fred accidentally saw the man standing near the power pole and the man was very clearly visible to him.

Fred was overthinking, he thought something bad was going to happen to him. Like? The masked man accidentally comes there (Fred's home territory) to stalk him. And it could be, that masked man will kill him. Because the masked man saw Fred back then.

Fred was terrified!

Brak ...

He slammed the door of his house. Jessica, who saw her son in fear, approached him. “Are you okay? Kid.”

“Mom, protect me!”

Jessica lowered her forehead, astonished at her son's panicked face. “You can tell me, first. What happened, boy?”

Fred didn't answer, he just tightly hugged his mom's body and hid his face in Jessica's neck area.

           ***

Hannah enjoyed her time with Alex. Somehow the man was able to make her so comfortable when Hannah was nearby.

Hannah felt very comfortable being around Alex. It turned out that the man had a kind and warm personality. Hannah felt the same vibe—as, Hannah listened to her favorite radio broadcast. Although Alex and the radio announcer's tone was different their vibe was the same. It's as if they're the same people. And it just so happens that their names are the same. Hannah wanted to ask, but she didn't dare. She doesn't want to be considered presumptuous for taking care of Alex's personal life.

“Hannah? What do you think?” Hannah's silence broke as Alex's exclamation aired. The man appeared to be dead when he showed the results of mixing paint from his work. From the look on his face is very noticeable if the man is hopeful - anxious whether the result is successful.

“Try, here I see.” Hannah receives a bowl containing Alex's hard-working paint. Hannah looked at the bowl containing the paint seriously, the only hand she didn't use, Hannah used to stroke her beard. She looked closely at her to be sure.

Hannah's short and clear answer, makes Alex develop his smile and speak to Hannah. “Thank you for helping me, Hannah.”

“Yaps, equally. It's also thanks to your hard work.” Hannah's smile expanded, and it made Alex's chest beat with a beat.

*

Alex still can't forget the events of today, every moment he goes through with Hannah feels good. If you can be honest, his heart warms up every time he's near the girl.

When Hannah invites him to end their meeting today, and Hannah is allowed to go home because Adam (her twin brother) has bullied her to go home immediately. Alex feels heavy... I don't want his time with Hannah to end so soon.

Hence from that... Because Alex was still unable to let go of the longing, he dared to send a message to Hannah with an untrusted feeling.

To Hannah

Hannah?

Did you get home safely?

Pleasantries first, if Alex goes straight to the point of fear of making Hannah uncomfortable with his attitude. Because Alex felt, Hannah was uncomfortable with him.

But that's just Alex's feeling.

For a long time, the message was replied to by Hannah.

From Hannah:

I've arrived safely.

I didn't get on the bus, just now. Because Adam came to pick me up.

To Hannah :

Really?

To be honest, I'm a little worried. Because you don't want me to take :(

Alex paused for a moment, still wondering if the message he typed just now wasn't too much of an exaggeration if he sent it to Hannah.

But... In the end, he sent that message too.

From Hannah:

Hahaha,

I'm not a kid, Al. So there's not much to worry about.

And, I don't want to bother you.

To Hannah :

Troublesome? What do you mean?

From Hannah:

You took me home.

Your house, it's in the opposite direction to my house. So I feel bad if I accept your offer.

Alex exhaled his weight. It's okay to take Hannah. That means he can be with the girl longer, doesn't he?

To Hannah :

Next time, you don't have to be like that.

I'd love it if I could get you home safely.

From Hannah:

Hahaha, you're so funny, Al.

You're like a father worrying about his son.

To Hannah :

Really? But that's really how I feel.

Does that look excessive?

From Hannah

Hey, why are you taking Alex so seriously!

I'm just kidding,

To Hannah :

:( sorry

I'm so childish

From Hannah:

Not! Please stop.

I didn't mean it that way.

To Hannah

I know,

Ehm, Hannah?

From Hannah:

Yes?

To Hannah :

If I pick you up and go to college together. Is it okay?

From Hannah

Alex, please stop!

I'm a little uncomfortable with your attitude like this.

Then...

If that doesn't incriminate you, I don't mind.

Because with that, I can save my pocket money, hahaha

*

Jessica is still confused about what happened to her son. She tried to calm Fred down and ask what happened. But her son wouldn't answer.

Because Jessica was so worried she contacted her husband, Jordan. To go home soon. She didn't want anything bad to happen to Fred.

Today Jordan has a job out of town. Jordan didn't come home today but got word from his wife if anything bad happened to Fred. Jordan canceled all his work and rushed home.

Jordan didn't take long to get home. With his status and wealth of incalculable value. Jordan can travel hundreds of kilos and takes several hours. Jordan can travel in less than an hour using his private plane.

Jordan landed perfectly in his backyard. He walked quickly when he entered his house. He was greeted by Jessica with her face down. Jessica looks very sad, her face is swollen, her eyes are swollen. It's only real that my beloved wife just cried so badly.

Jordan hugged his wife tightly, he tried to calm down first before asking and ascertaining what happened.

If, Jessica looks a little calm Jordan starts asking his wife, “what's going on, honey?”

“I don't know, baby. I've asked him. But Fred wouldn't answer. He just said 'I'm afraid mom,' and 'mom please protect me.'”

Jessica's cries broke out, she was already unable to hold back. She was afraid that something would happen to her son. Fred's only child is very valuable to her. Jessica just asks Fred to always be healthy and live a long life. Unlike him, his loved ones were once lost. Jessica doesn't want that to happen again.

Jordan is getting tighter and closer to Jessica. He promises to completely explore what happened to Fred. Jordan swears by that.

Because Jordan also doesn't want to lose a loved one anymore. Just her, the lamp of his life before Fred was born in the world.