“Yeah. I'll see you on Monday. Love you.”
“Love you.”
I made my way out to the garage before he did. His SUV was large, shiny, and all black. It even had tinted windows and came equipped with a phone, and special locks.
Problem was...I didn't know how to get inside without him noticing.
I hid underneath the vehicle and watched his feet move as he lifted the hatch in the back and maneuvered some things around, appearing to be looking for something.
He cursed under his breath before his footsteps disappeared and I heard the garage door shut.
Luckily, he left the hatch open granting me the perfect opportunity to climb in and hide under a blanket on the floor in the back seat.
My heart raced when he came back out and climbed in the driver's seat. I thought for sure he would notice me, but he didn't.
We drove for well over two hours at that point and my legs were starting to cramp up.
The vehicle began to slow down and he cursed when his phone rang.
What I didn't count on happening was my mother calling his phone.
“I can't talk right now, honey. I forgot to shut this phone off. I'm just pulling up to the location now.”
I heard shouting on the other line before my father's raised voice startled me. “What the hell do you mean she's missing, Debra? She was still upstairs when I left. Are you sure you looked everywhere?”
There was some more shouting on the other line.
“Shit. Keep looking. Call the neighbors and check the entire perimeter of the house. I'll put a call into the station. I'm sure she's just hiding somewhere.” He paused. “Don't cry, honey. Stay strong. I'm sure she's okay,” he said, his own voice beginning to crack. “We will find her. I'm calling the station now. Keep your phone on you.”
Oh no. This wasn't supposed to happen. I never wanted to make my mother cry or my dad upset. I just wanted to spend some more time with him and make a point.
He hung up his cell phone and picked up his car phone. “Yeah, Hannah, it's Special Agent Tanner. My wife just reported that our 9-year-old daughter's gone missing. She was last seen inside the house.” He paused. “A little over an hour. I want an amber alert issued right away. Blonde hair, hazel eyes...” he started to rattle off.
Panic gripped me. I remembered my father telling me that it was wrong to prank call the police. He told me that it took away from helping actual people who were having real emergencies.
I sprung up from the backseat. “Daddy, stop. I'm here. I'm okay. I'm so sorry.”
He clutched his chest and glared at me. “Never mind. I just located her. Please call my wife and let her know. Thank you and I'm sorry for the trouble,” he said before hanging up.
He stared at me for another second or so before he reached over and hugged me. “I'm so, so angry with you right now.” Relief flashed across his face. “But I'm so happy you're okay. Do you have any idea what it would do to me if I ever lost you, goblin?”
I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. “You would be fine. You have a replacement on its way anyway,” I grumbled.
He looked confused before he sighed. “No one could ever replace you, Alyssa. But, how did you find out?”
“I overheard you talking to mommy about it. You're going to have a new little girl and forget all about me.”
He moved his seat back and sat me on his lap. “No, baby. That's not going to happen. I promise.”
I sniffled and leaned my head against his chest. “I don't believe your promises anymore.”
He held up my necklace. “You see this? You're the only girl in the world who will ever have it. I had it made just for you. That's how special you are to me.”
“Then why are you having another baby? Am I not enough for you?”
He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “I love you more than all the stars in the sky and water in the oceans. From the very first second I laid eyes on you, that was it, kid. I was a goner.” He looked lost in thought as he continued, “I was only 18 when you were born. Your mother and I were barely even out of high school. I was terrified of becoming a father, especially so young. Do you know who gave me strength to overcome that fear?” he asked.
“Who?”
“You did. I will never forget that moment. Your mother was recovering from labor and the nurses left you all alone with me. I started freaking out because I had no idea what I was supposed to do with you and I was sure I was going to screw something up and leave you scarred for life.” He paused and smiled. “I remember talking to you and telling you how scared I was. I was about to have a panic attack, but then your little hand wrapped around one of my fingers and held on. You looked up at me with these beautiful eyes full of wonder and a sense of calm washed over me...and I knew I could do it. I knew we were going to be a team for life.”
He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “That's why I call you goblin. It's not just because you were born on Halloween. It's because goblins are scary and frightening. And you were the scariest thing I'd ever come in contact with...but the best thing that ever happened to me. No one could ever take your place.”
He reached for my hand and held it up to his heart. “We have a special bond that can never be broken, goblin. I will love you for all of eternity. You and your mother are the very best parts of my life.”
I let out a hiccup. “I'm sorry I made you worry. I'm sorry for upsetting you. I love you.”
“It's alright. Let me just make a quick call to Ford and I'll drive you back home.”
He picked up the phone. “Hey, Ford. Look, something's come up. It's a long story. But I need you to distract him for an hour or two and buy me some time if he asks about me. I have to drive back home.”
He lifted me off his lap and gripped the steering wheel. “What do you mean, what am I talking about? It's happening today. In the next hour to be exact. I heard it from one of his men myself. I tried calling you on your work phone but you didn't answer. I figured you got the same phone call and you were already here.” He looked ahead and turned the key in the ignition. “Fuck,” he said. “I've just been spotted.”
He glanced back at me through the rear-view mirror and gritted his teeth. “No, I can't just drive off. That will only raise their suspicions further. Not to mention, I can't exactly start a high-speed chase with DeLuca's mobsters while my daughter's in the goddamn car!”
“What the fuck is Alyssa doing in the car with you right now? Fuck this. I'm on my way and I'm sending backup.” I heard Ford's voice scream on the other line before it went silent.
He swallowed hard and continued to look straight ahead. Nervousness crept up my spine, signaling that something was very wrong.
“Goblin. I really need you to listen to me right now.” My father took a deep breath before he continued. “I need you to go back under that blanket and hide. No matter what you see or hear, understand?”
“Wh-why...what's going...on?” I stuttered.
“Remember how Daddy helps to put away the bad guys?”
I gulped. “Y-yeah.”
“Well, the bad guys are outside right now. And something very bad will happen if they see you. So, I need you to go back under that blanket and don't come out until I say you can. Okay?”