Chapter 99
The driver’s comment dashed Shane’s hopes and filled him with dread.
The driver probably noticed the terrible expression on Shane’s face, as he quickly corrected himself, “But there’s a miracle sometimes. Who knows? Maybe the person you’re looking for is safe and sound.”
But anyone could tell how meaningless that comment was.
I did not care to check the look on Shane’s face. All I wanted to know was whether or not Dad would feel sorry when he learned I was in grave trouble.
It was dark in the car. Dad leaned back into his seat and enjoyed some shut–eye. I could only make out his pursed lips and his clenched fist on the armrest.
I recounted the times Dad was nice to me. When Amber went missing, he poured all his love onto me and called me his precious daughter.
Things changed after Amber schemed against me. My family lost their trust in me. On top of that, Dad sided unconditionally with Mom all the time, which caused us to drift apart from each other.
It had been a while since he smiled at me.
Suddenly, his phone rang. Mom called to inform him of what happened to Grandma. He seemed disturbed after the call.
I knew Dad must be worried about his mother. He might not be good at expressing himself but he was a great son.
Dad massaged his forehead. Shane offered a few words of comfort before falling into a long silence.
A suffocating silence grew within the car.
After a whole night of driving, we finally arrived at one of the parks before dawn. There were more streetlamps along the road, but even those weren’t bright enough to illuminate most of the land. Darkness extended beyond the reach of those dim lights.
I thought I heard some terrible wails from both males and females–the type of sound that could make your hair stand.
Shane counted the prayer beads in his grasp as if he were seeking solace. He asked grimly, “Is Ally… here?”
Dad’s expression stiffened. He looked a little conflicted, hoping to find me at the park, but at the same time, hoping I wasn’t there.
