Dead & Forgotten

Ch. 21

I knew I was going to be dead meat. I could have gone back to Marshall Academy sooner than now. But no, I had to get myself caught up into a family feud by a family I didn't even like---the Springfields---and we had to waste our time going over to their house. This was the worst night of my life! And it wasn't worse enough when the cops showed up. Joey decided to stall the officer by saying, "Hmm, now that name sounds awfully...." I hoped he didn't blow my cover. "Unfamiliar. I do not know whom you're talking about, but thank you very much for your time, Officer."

I recognized the cop as Officer Roger; he worked in our neighborhood. Joey started to drive off but was immediately stopped by Officer Roger. "Not so fast, mister," he said firmly. "I get the idea that you're hiding something from me." He gave Joey a funny look. "Now I will give you some hints, and you will listen. Cassandra Fuller---socialite daughter of Aristotle and Vivienne Fuller, tall girl with dark hair and blue eyes, born on March 11, 1974, attends school at Marshall Academy Boarding School in Pasadena, is reported to have mysteriously vanished from the school grounds. Do you or do you not have a passenger by that name? And don't lie to me, mister; we're all onto you."

As nice as Officer Roger was, he sure could be intimidating when he had to be, and now was one of them. He was truly scaring me, and he could sense my presence. I could tell that he could sense my presence. There was no use hiding anymore.

Joey turned around to look at me as if I had suggestions on what he should do---either he should cover up for me, or just admit it. I nodded to tell him to just admit everything. "Are you sure?" he mouthed to me, and I nodded again. He nodded in response and said to Officer Roger, "Now come to think of it, that name does sound quite familiar. Is she just a young, wandering fifteen-year-old who perhaps just wanted to have a break from the craziness of the life around her and go off on a mysterious little adventure to God knows where?"

"Gee, you sure know an awful lot about a young girl whose name you claim sounds unfamiliar to you," Officer Roger said, giving him a sly smile. "What is your name?"

"My name is Joseph, and I am Cassandra's cab driver," Joey replied. "And she is in the passenger seat behind me right now."

Officer Roger shined a small flashlight in my eyes---which actually woke up me, for I was becoming a tad drowsy from the big adventure---and cried out, "A-ha! I knew something fishy was going on here! Ma'am, you know you're supposed to be at school. Why did you escape?"

I wanted to scream in terror. That was my first reaction. I wanted to scream and run away from them all, acting like a little girl. But I did not resort to doing something so juvenile. Instead, I had the courage to step out of the car and reveal myself to Officer Roger. I replied to him, "I was going on a little adventure to find something I really need."

"And what does this need of yours happen to be, a breath of fresh air?" he said, trying to be a little funny. He put air quotes around the word "need," which made it a little awkward and difficult for things to get any better.

But Joey was in the mood for funny, while I wasn't. "Good one, Officer," Joey said laughing.

"Relax, why don't'cha?" Officer Roger said to him. He turned to me and said, "Now really, ma'am. Why did you escape the school building?"

Just as I was about to answer, I saw a car pull up behind Officer Roger's car, and through the window I could see it was Mom, Dad, Aunt Hillary, Aunt Elena and Uncle Shawn. Baby Mercy was asleep in her baby seat. "Looks like you've got company now, Miss Fuller," Officer Roger said, giving me that look as if he knew something I didn't.

Everyone got out of the car, feeling happy and relieved to see me, all talking at once. "Cassandra, we're so happy to see you!" Mom said, giving me a hug, to which I reluctantly replied. Deep down, I was still kind of furious with them.