Insane
1870 Words
Myka was turning one today, we hadn't had anymore threats from Tyler, nor any contact it was like he had dropped off the radar, I decided for the first time in months I'd venture out without Theo, I wanted to prepare for Myka's party, my mother agreed to babysit Myka so I could do as much shopping as I needed without taking a break to feed her, plus it was Granny and Myka's day anyway.
I headed for a coffee first, Tia was of course working, I paid minimal attention to her, I saw her sneakily text on her phone as I was leaving, I headed straight for the party supply store. A text came through from Theo.
'Sorry babe, running late, be there soon. xx'
I tucked my phone back into my pocket and continued, Then another text came through seconds later.
'I like your dress."
The number unknown. I sped up walking, hoping it was just a wrong number or a prank, another text came through.
'I know what she looks like, your daughter.'
This was freaking me the f**k out, I called my mom.
"Mom, where's Myka?" I asked her trying to remain as calm as possible.
"She's here." My mother switched to video call quickly.
I let out a sigh of relief and hung up the call. Seconds later another buzz.
'Myka huh?'
I began typing back, then a second followed that same message.
'beautiful name.'
It had became apparent I was being stalked and I didn't know who by, whoever it was blended in with the sea of people surrounding me. I quickly messaged Theo.
'I have a stalker, messaging me about Myka, heading to the party store. Help.'
I hit send and practically sprinted into the store, as I was walking around the store another text chimed.
(Text conversation follows.)
'How could you let her dad miss her first birthday?'
'Who the hell are you?'
'You know me, S.'
'Tyler?'
'Maybe...'
'What do you want?'
'Well, since you won't let me see my daughter, I'll just have to find my own way to see her.'
'Theo said you wanted paid to stay away. What changed?'
'I saw her photograph.'
'How?'
'Tia.'
'Just leave us alone and stay away from Myka.'
'I reckon Theo would agree to my terms if you went missing'
'Or maybe I should go for Myka.'
Shivers ran down my spine. I pulled my phone out to text Theo.
"Don't text him." A whisper breezed my ear.
"Leave me alone." I replied.
"Don't be like that. I loved you once." His voice cold.
I felt something press into my spine.
"I suggest you take me to Myka, or I'll pull the trigger." He hissed.
"Over my dead body." I snapped.
Tyler dragged me by my shoulder out of the mall. He shoved me into his car. He pointed the gun at me.
"Scream and ill pull it. Now take me to my daughter." He snapped.
"Okay." I replied shakily.
He looked stunned as though he had won. I directed him to Mykas' birthday venue, which wasn't really her birthday venue it was an abandoned building. Tyler, still unaware, climbed out of his car and dragged me into the building.
"Myka, Daddy's here." He called out as we entered the dead warehouse.
When he got no reply, he turned on me smacking me around the face, I hit the floor, and everything went black.
Theo's Pov.
I hadn't heard from Sierra since her message saying she was at the party store, but when I got there, she was nowhere to be seen. I called her phone multiple times and still got no answer.
I headed to the little coffee shop she loves so much. Thankfully, Tia was working.
"Have you seen Sierra?" I asked.
"Not since earlier. Is everything okay?" She asked.
"No, she's gone missing." I replied frantically.
"Shame. I haven't seen her. Sorry." She replied slightly bemused by the news.
I headed out to look for her. I called her mom.
"Is Sierra home?" I tried to remain calm.
"No I thought she was at the mall." Her mother responded.
"She's not here." I explained.
"Where is she?" Her mother asked slightly more worry to her voice this time.
"I have no idea. There's a gun in my office. If you need it, use it. Protect Myka at all coats. I'm going to look for Sierra." I hung up the phone without another word.
I drove for five blocks, and then I spotted it, Tyler's car, parked in an alleyway, looking suspicious. I pulled up behind his car. I checked inside his car for Sierra, but there was nothing.
Then I noticed some scuff marks on the floor as though someone was being dragged. I pushed open the warehouse door. I heard a voice. It was muffled, and I couldn't quite make out what they were saying.
I followed the mumbling up the metal stairs and across the balcony to a security room, I looked into the window, and I saw Tyler standing over an unconscious Sierra.
I slowly and quietly pushed the door. I approached him from behind and grabbed his arms locking them behind his back.
"What did you do to her?" I snapped.
"Our Sierra. She's sleeping." He laughed.
"If you hurt her I'll..." I started.
"You'll what? Kill me?" Tyler mocked.
"What did you do to her?" I hissed.
"She's fine. She'll wake up soon. The b***h deserved it." He smirked.
"Don't call her that." I yelled. I dialled 911 in my phone and placed it in my pocket recording everything Tyler said.
"She is a b***h, she stopped me seeing my daughter, she divorced me, I ended up in prison because of her. She ruined my life." Tyler ranted.
"You ruined your own life when you hit her." I snapped.
"She made me do it." Tyler insisted.
"She didn't deserve it. She did nothing." I remarked.
"She's a w***e. She has my child and then not even a year later she shacks up with you." Tyler snapped.
"You still love her don't you?" I replied my tone calm.
"No!" Tyler denied.
"Then why take her and not Myka? You want to see your daughter that badly but you take her mother." I replied still calm.
"I wanted your attention. Man to man. Let me see her." Tyler pleaded.
"Sierra told you if you sorted your anger out but I doubt you'll see her for a few years after you get charged with kidnapping." I explained.
"No one will know if I kill you both." He pointed the gun at me.
I noticed Sierra stir out the corner of my eye.
"You're awake. Hello princess." Tyler hissed to her.
"What? Where am I? Who are you?" She asked groggily.
"It's me Tyler." He replied.
"Tyler, whose that?" She asked pointing to me.
"He's a friend. He was just leaving." Tyler smirked.
Sierra looked over at me and gave me a knowing nod.
"Should we get home then?" She asked Tyler.
A broad smile spread across his face. I knew he was still in love with her. Tyker turned his back for a moment, I quickly pulled my phone out of my pocket and flashed the screen to Sierra. She gave me a soft smile and I slid it back into my pocket.
The three of us headed out of the warehouse. To Tyler's utter shock police had surrounded the building, Armed police.
"Put the gun down." One of the officers commanded.
Tyler dropped the gun slowly and then turned to me and Sierra with a look of betrayal in his eyes. The police arrested Tyler and we headed back to our home.
The whole drive Sierra was quiet. She never spoke a word to me just sat in silence. As we pulled up the driveway she suddenly spoke.
"Who are you?" She whispered.
"It's me Theo." I replied sadly.
"Theo? The theo I was meant to marry before I married Tyler?" She asked.
"Yes." I replied.
"Why are you here?" She asked.
"You live with me." I explained.
Sierra looked at me silent for a moment, she headed into the house. I followed her closely behind.
"I didn't know you had a kid Theo." She blurted.
"We have a kid." I added.
"We? You and Tia?" She questioned.
"No. Me and you." I replied.
"No. I had a baby with Tyler. Where's my baby." Sierra asked.
The pain seered my heart. She remembered having Myka with Tyler but not our relationship. She was a shell of the woman I fell in love with. I led her into the living room.
"Mom!" She wrapped her mom in a hug.
"I've been so worried. What happened?" Her mom asked.
"Tyler happened." I replied.
"Why are you at Theo's and whose baby is that?" Sierra asked.
"Honey. This is Myka. She's your daughter. You remember right?" She looked hopeful at Sierra.
Sierra gave a little nod as though things were being pieced together slowly.
"Does she remember you and the relationship?" Her mom asked me.
"Not really. But she fell in love with me once I'm sure I can remind her why she loves me." I smiled. Unsure.
I left Sierra to bond with Myka and headed upstairs to jog her memory a little. I grabbed Myka's plushie from her four month milestone.
"Remember this?" I asked and held out the penguin to her.
"Mr Penguin. Look Myka, Theo found it." She smiled fondly at the cooing child.
"Dada?" Myka gurgled.
"Yes Dada, well done." I smiled at her.
Sierra whipped her head round to me. She passed Myka to her mother and pulled me into the foyer.
"Tyler's her dad!" She snapped.
I grabbed the adoption papers hoping she would remember. I stood in front of her as she read them. Guilt and sadness crept across her face. Without another word she pulled me into a cuddle.
"I'm sorry." She sobbed into my chest.
"Don't be. You had a bump to the head." I replied.
"I remember you adopting her." She smiled.
"Do you remember us?" I asked.
"No" She smiled.
I pulled her into another cuddle, holding her a moment hoping all of my love would project to her and she would feel the same. After a moment she pulled away and returned to Myka.
She had forgotten it was Myka's birthday today. I headed into the lounge with some presents. I placed them next to Sierra who was sitting on the sofa with Myka.
"Happy birthday princess." I smiled.
"Dada." She giggled.
"Yes sweetie." I replied.
"Mama." Myka mumbled.
"Yes that's mama." I smiled.
In that moment something clicked. This is what I wanted for the rest of my life. Sierra and our children a little family. Then a pang pulled my heart at the thought of her forgetting me. I didn't know how much of her memory she had actually recovered. I noticed her staring at me.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, you look familiar." Sierra smiled.
"We do live together and we've been together for a while now." I explained.
"Okay, I still don't remember." She replied.
"Take your time." I kissed her head.
- Writer
