Chapter thirteen: Four Days

                                    

                                          
Taking a slow, deep breath. I got out of Todd's car and walked to my front door. I wasn't sure what was waiting behind these doors, but since it's been about four days since I've been kidnapped, I'm pretty sure it's not going to be good.
                          
My dad's car was in the driveway. So, I knew he was here.
                          
I looked back at Todd and told him that it was ok for him to leave now. After he left, I turn back towards the door and with a shaky breath, I opened it.
                          
Walking in, everything was strange. It felt like I haven't been here in months. The whole place seemed different to me because of how long I've been gone.
                          
I heard talking, which made me stop as I tried figuring out where they were. I walked to the kitchen and heard Julie's voice, which sounded broken as she was crying.
                          
Stopping by the wall, I listened a little more until I decided to walk out. 
                          
"I don't know, Greg. I honestly am so lost right now. I can't sleep or eat. I haven't been able to cope for days." She cried. "I don't know what to do. The police won't get off their lazy ass and do something."
                          
My dad was talking to her, calming her down. I look around the corner and saw them sitting at the table. My dad was rubbing her back as she had her face in her hands, crying.
                          
Taking a breath, I walk around the door and in the kitchen. 
                          
At this moment, time itself has frozen.
                          
My dad looks up and sees me with so much shock in his eyes. His hand removes itself from Julie's back and he's now standing as the chair he was sitting on has fallen over.
                          
"Skylar!" He runs to me and picks me up, holding onto me tightly. 
                          
Never in years, since my mom has died, have I heard my dad cry. But this time, he was crying his eyes out.
                          
My feet touch the floor as he let me down. He cups my face, looking me over before kissing my forehead and pulling me into another hug.
                          
"Where the hell have you been?" He asks as he pulls back.
                          
I look over and saw Julie standing there, in complete shock. Her face was unreadable but her eyes held everything in them.
                          
My dad moves out of the way. Julie walks towards me in slow motion. I walk towards her until we're standing in front of each other.
                          
I couldn't help but smile as I saw tear stain on her face. "Julie-"
                          
Before I had time to finish, she starts crying then wraps her arms around my neck. She held tightly as her face was buried in my neck and she was sobbing.
                          
"Where.. have.. you.. been?" She said between sobs.
                          
I rub her back as I tried calming her down. She was crying heavily onto my neck and it made my heart start hurting.
                          
Looking over at my dad, he was watching us and I knew I had to explain everything to them. I just wasn't sure on how well they were going to handle it.