Chapter 8: The Race Against Time
I don't remember grabbing my keys.
I don't remember leaving the house.
I only remember one thought repeating in my head.
Lily.
My daughter.
My little girl.
I called my sister while driving.
"Where is Lily?""
The panic in my voice made her immediately answer.
"Michael? She's upstairs sleeping.""
"Don't let anyone near her.""
A pause.
"What happened?""
"Just lock the doors.""
She didn't ask questions.
She knew my voice.
She knew something was wrong.
I drove faster than I should have.
Every red light felt like a personal attack.
Every second felt stolen.
I called Vanessa.
Straight to voicemail.
Again.
Nothing.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered instantly.
"Where is she?""
Vanessa didn't respond immediately.
Then:
"You're really choosing them over me.""
My hands tightened on the steering wheel.
"Where is Lily?""
"I loved her.""
"No.""
My voice cracked with anger.
"You wanted her.""
"You don't understand.""
"I understand enough.""
The line went quiet.
Then Vanessa said:
"You think Emily is innocent?""
I didn't answer.
"You think she cares about Lily?""
"Where is my daughter?""
"You never asked why she lost custody.""
I gripped the phone.
"Because you lied.""
"No.""
Her voice became sharper.
"Because Emily was dangerous.""
I almost laughed.
"Dangerous?""
"She was unstable.""
"You're still doing this?""
"What?""
"Making yourself the victim.""
Silence.
Then Vanessa said:
"You don't know the whole story.""
I pulled into my sister's driveway.
"Tell me where Lily is.""
"I want to talk.""
"Not happening.""
"Then you'll never understand.""
The call ended.
I ran to the door.
My sister opened it before I knocked.
"Michael, what's going on?""
I rushed upstairs.
Lily was asleep.
Safe.
I almost collapsed.
My sister followed me.
"Who is Vanessa?""
I looked at her.
"What?""
"She came here earlier.""
My blood froze.
"What?""
"She said she wanted to get some of Lily's things.""
I stared.
"When?""
"About twenty minutes ago.""
I looked at Lily.
Then at my sister.
"Did she touch her?""
"No.""
I closed my eyes.
Thank God.
Then I noticed something.
Lily's stuffed rabbit was missing.
The one she slept with every night.
I walked toward the closet.
Her small backpack was gone too.
My sister looked confused.
"Michael?""
I whispered:
"She took things.""
"Why?""
I didn't answer.
Because I knew.
Vanessa wasn't just trying to scare me.
She was preparing.
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From Vanessa.
A photo.
My heart stopped.
It was Lily's stuffed rabbit.
Sitting on a table.
Below it was a handwritten note.
*Come alone.*
My sister grabbed my arm.
"No.""
I looked at her.
"I have to.""
"Michael, that's exactly what she wants.""
I knew she was right.
But there was one thing she didn't understand.
Vanessa had spent years controlling my daughter.
Tonight, she had crossed the line.
I called Mason.
He answered immediately.
"Dad?""
"Mason, where are you?""
"I'm at home.""
"Listen to me carefully. Don't come here.""
A pause.
"Why?""
"Because Vanessa might be watching.""
His voice became worried.
"Did she take Lily?""
"No.""
I heard relief.
Then I added:
"But she took something important.""
"What?""
"The things Lily needs to feel safe.""
Mason went quiet.
Then:
"Dad.""
"What?""
"I know where she would go.""
I stopped.
"What do you mean?""
"Mom has a place.""
"What place?""
"A house she never told you about.""
My stomach dropped.
"How do you know?""
"Because I found the address.""
I grabbed a pen.
"Tell me.""
Mason gave me the location.
Then he said:
"Dad...""
"Yeah?""
"There's something else.""
"What?""
"I think Mom knew you would find out someday.""
A chill moved through me.
"What makes you say that?""
"Because she kept a box.""
"What box?""
"A box with things about Lily.""
My voice lowered.
"Where?""
"In the house.""
I looked around.
The house Vanessa and I shared.
The house full of secrets.
"What was inside?""
Mason hesitated.
Then whispered:
"Pictures.""
"Of what?""
"Of Lily.""
My grip tightened.
"Doing what?""
A long pause.
"Growing up.""
I felt sick.
"Why is that strange?""
"Because Dad...""
His voice cracked.
"Some of those pictures were taken when Lily was supposed to be with you.""
I stopped breathing.
"What?""
May you like
Mason whispered:
"Mom was watching her.""
