Stay

Chapter 26

Harris stops his vehicle in front of an unfamiliar house. He slides out of the car as he turns it off and walks around to open my door. I'm too busy analyzing the weird neighborhood to become more comfortable being here. I wish I didn't fall asleep because then I would have paid attention to where I am. I climb out of the squad car and follow Harris into the house. There's a young girl who's running around in miss matching shoes and a red sun dress. She smiles at me then runs off with her red hair following behind her.

"That's my niece, Cassandra. She's five and has lived with me since she was two because her father left her and her mother on the side of the road, so now my sister in law and her daughter lives with me. My wife is here watching the kids while Cassandra's mother is at work. right up the stairs there is a spare bedroom on the first right. You will be staying there. I am going to drive out to your old place and grab your things." Harris explains to me. I don't understand why because I'm not going to question his life style here. I appreciate it though. Suddenly his phone begins to ring, so he excuses himself from me to answer it. I look around the house and noticed that there's many pictures of his family and baby photos. The color of the walls are warm like a loving home should be and the furniture is oak.

"Sorry Dakota, but i have to leave. There has been a break in your case and Nathaniel is back in the holding jail cell. There is food in the kitchen if you're hungry, don't be shy around here. Make yourself at home." Harris then turns and rushes out the door. I wonder around the house, looking for the kitchen which is located in the most awkward place in the house. I open the fridge and pull out mayo, cheese, lettuce and bread to make myself a sandwich.

"You must be Dakota?" A sweet voice asks me. I turn around and find a woman shorter than me with blonde hair and wearing red lip stick. I smile back at her and nod.

"It's nice to meet you." I held out my hand to shake hers, and she accepts.

"I'm Meredith. Here, I'll clean up this place and you can go make yourself at home. There should be a tv in the guest bedroom and we have direct tv along with Netflix. feel free to do whatever as long as no drugs or drinking is involved."

"Thank you and don't worry. I don't drink or anything like that." I carry my sandwich up to the guest bedroom and open the door. I'm amazed at what I see. A full king size bed and a flat screen tv hanging up o the wall. There's a bathroom built in which is nice because then I won't have to worry about any little kids walking in. I turn on the tv to the news and slowly munch on my sandwich. I feel the need to go back out and find my little Carson, but I can't. I have to wait since there is nothing I can do right now.

I finish off my lunch and start a bubble bath. Luckily there's candles in here so I can relax as much as I possibly can. I light all the candles and strip out of my filthy clothes. I climb into the hot bubble bath and lean back as much as I can before my head is under water. I monitor my breathing, trying to slow my heart rate down for me to be able to relax as much as possible. I sit up from the water and lean back against the bath pillow and close my eyes. Peyton's face pops up into my mind, leaving me in the state of missing him dearly. I sigh before giving up on trying to forget his white smile and toned arms.

I jump up and out of the bath. I wrap myself up in a towel I found under the sink. I drain the bath and pick up my phone. No missed calls or text messages from anyone. Boy do I feel special.

I dig through my contacts until I come across his name. I hesitate to call him, but I grew enough courage to and pressed call.

His phone rang three times before a deep voice answers.

"Hello. Dakota?" He sounds worried, and shocked at the same time. I would be too if I done my girlfriend wrong and have done nothing to find her son.