17 Chapter 17

I pinch myself hard to bring tears to my eyes, "I'm sorry, officer. I- I never meant to do it."

My parents exchange looks of concern as the officer asks, "What do you mean by that?"

"I was riding my bike home from school a few days ago," I begin, "and I stopped because I saw a missing poster for a boy, Thomas Freeman. I knew him from class, and at first I was worried, but then I... I realized that something like that would never happen here in Hawthorne, that it had to be a prank or something. So I just came home."

"That's not true," my mom interjected. "She was late coming home. And she lied; she said she forgot her bag at school."

In what I hope is a convincing voice, I reply, "I'm sorry. I didn't want to worry you. I- I know how stressed you've been lately, about your job... I thought it would just be best if I didn't... if I didn't tell anyone."

"Alright, that explains being late," the officer interrupts. "Now why did you go missing? Start from the night that you left. I want the full story here."

"Okay. I was falling asleep that night, worrying about the poster. And I finally just got so fed up with it, and I didn't want anyone else to see it, so I left. To take the poster down. I- I was a block or so away from where it was hanging when... a boy appeared, and he grabbed my arm, kinda like, 'What're you doing?' So I told him about the poster."

"And this boy, he was Thomas Freeman?"

I nod, "And he got real worked up about it, I don't know why. He told me that it was all lies, everything that was being told. But that's stupid, right? You all would never lie to us, you have no reason to. We're all perfectly happy here."

Dad nodded, "Go on."

"And then he left. Simple as that. And I was scared... I was so scared that he was dangerous, that he would follow me. He didn't seem right in the head, and if I went home, they could hurt you," I say, making my voice crack. "So I slept in the alleyway by the store because I didn't want to lead him to our house."

"Fine," the officer says. "And then you came back the next morning, figuring it was safe?" I nod cautiously as he continues, "Then why did you go missing again?"

Swallowing hard, I think for a second. "He- he took me," I blurt out. "I was on my way to school, and he grabbed my arm and took me to Hawthorne Park."

My mom gasps a little, turning pale as the officer scribbles something down, "What did he want with you?"

"I- I don't know. But he... there's something wrong with him. He wouldn't let me leave, or move, or talk. And I was so scared... I didn't know what to do... so this morning, I just got up and ran while he was still asleep. I don't know what happened to him."

"Is there anything else?" he asks, growing concerned. I shake my head, looking down and forcing tears to my eyes. He pats me knee gently, "You did a very brave thing, Quinn. Not many people your age would have such clear thinking in a situation like that." Standing up, he turns to my parents, "Thank you for your time," and lets himself out.

My parents turn to me, embracing me tightly. "You should've told us..." my dad muttered. "We thought something was wrong with you."

"I'm fine," I whisper, pulling back. "I just... I really need to be alone for a little bit. To make sense of all of this. And I have to catch up on the schoolwork I missed."

They nod. "We're so proud of you," I hear my mom say as I walk upstairs, feeling horrible about what I have to do to them.