Derek was overwhelmed with worry as he sat on the edge of his bed, his mind racing with thoughts of his daughter, Amber, who had gone missing a week ago. The days had dragged on agonizingly, and despite the relentless efforts of the police, it seemed as though she had simply vanished without a trace. Derek felt like he was stuck in a nightmare from which he couldn’t wake. Sleep had become a distant memory as each night was consumed by a gnawing fear that gripped his heart; he couldn’t help but replay every moment leading up to her disappearance.
At the police station, the atmosphere was tense. The officers worked diligently, flipping through reports and scanning surveillance footage, yet still no new leads surfaced. One officer, noticing Derek’s anguish, reassured him, “We will let you know as soon as we find out anything.” But as the hours turned into days, that promise felt increasingly hollow. Each time Derek’s phone vibrated, his heart leapt, only to sink when it was just a call about something else entirely.
On his way back home, the weight of despair heavy on his chest, Derek’s eyes suddenly caught sight of a figure on the sidewalk—a homeless woman standing near an alley, clutching something that looked shockingly familiar. It was Amber’s backpack, the bright color unmistakable even from a distance. Instinct kicked in as he approached her, his voice trembling slightly with urgency. “Where did you find this?” he asked, hope flickering in his chest.
“I found it at the bus station,” she replied, her voice weathered and rough. “Some teenage girl left it behind.” Derek’s heart raced as he opened the bag and began rummaging through its contents. Among the usual items—books, a worn-out jacket—he found a folded note. His hands shook as he opened it, revealing an address scrawled in an uneven hand: “Hostess Family.” Without a second thought, he jumped into his car and drove straight to the address, the air thick with tension and desperation.
Upon arriving, a woman answered the door, her expression filled with concern, but when Derek asked about Amber, she shook her head. “I’m sorry; she never showed up here,” she said, and his stomach dropped. Feeling utterly hopeless, Derek decided he had no choice but to head back home, his head filled with thoughts of what else he could have done.
As he drove along, his mind still clouded with worry, he spotted a familiar figure through the window of a nearby café. It was his ex-wife, Miranda. For a moment, he hesitated, thoughts swirling with possibilities. Maybe Amber had gone to see her mother, seeking comfort in a familiar face. With a renewed sense of determination, Derek parked and walked over to the café.
Miranda looked taken aback when she saw him. “What are you doing here?” she asked, feigning ignorance.
“Have you seen Amber?” Derek pressed, desperation lacing his voice. Just then, a glint of something caught his eye—on the table beside Miranda, he spotted Amber’s inhaler, unmistakable and just as precious as his daughter. The realization hit him like a freight train. “You have her inhaler! Where is she?”
Caught off guard, Miranda’s facade crumbled. “Okay, okay. She came over to talk… I didn’t know how worried you were!”
At that moment, a rustle broke through the tense air, and they both turned to see Amber standing just outside the café door. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she overheard the conversation, and without hesitation, she bolted to the street. Panic surged through Derek as he took off in pursuit of her.
“Amber! Wait!” he called, his heart racing even faster than his feet. He finally caught up to her as she collapsed onto a nearby bench, sobbing uncontrollably.
With a mix of relief and heartache, Derek approached and sat beside her, wrapping his arms around her trembling shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Dad! I didn’t mean to make you worry,” Amber cried, her voice choked with emotion.
“It’s alright! I’m just glad you’re safe,” he replied, holding her tighter, wanting to shield her from all the fears that had haunted him. “But you’re grounded for two weeks for this little adventure,” he added with a soft chuckle, trying to lighten the moment.
Amber looked up, a hint of a smile breaking through her tears. She felt safe and loved once more, the bond between father and daughter rekindling in that heartfelt exchange, a promise that together, they could overcome anything.
