144 ALIVE

Ray

"My sister is missing." I stood before the police desk, watching the middle-aged man with bowl hair. He was going through some files and I wonder if he was listening to me.

"How long has she gone missing?" He lifted his gaze from the files and studied me through the rimmed spectacles shielding his eyes.

"I can't tell. I came home and I couldn't find her."

"How old is she?" He went to ask. Still throwing me that assiduous look.

"Seven years old."

"Maybe she went over to a friend's house. I bet." He prompted.

"My sister doesn't have friends. She's usually home. I always leave her at home."

He didn't say anything and just stared at me. And for some reason, I felt uneasy under his judging eyes. He raised a brow at me inquisitively.

"You left your sister all alone. All by herself at home?" I knew he was reprimanding me with the look in his eyes. "Also, we can't report her missing if it's not up to 24 hours."