The door to the waiting room opened slowly, The officer entered, his face somber. Desi and her mother rose to their feet immediately, every muscle in their bodies tense with dread, their hearts pounding.
“Mrs. Jones, Desi,” he began, his voice calm but tinged with sadness. “We’ve found Anna. You need to come to the station now.”
Desi exchanged a terrified glance with her mother. Desi’s legs felt like lead as she forced herself to move. Her mother clutched her hand tightly, as if letting go would send her spiraling into the abyss. Neither of them spoke as they followed the officer to the car, their minds racing with terrible possibilities.
The ride to the station was silent, except for the shallow, ragged breaths of her mother. Desi stared out the window, her mind racing with terrible sc
