The Harper Family: Second Chances (Wattpad Version)

Moving toward the queen

Morgan

Frisco and I arrived in chaos at the center. Kayden and Jayden were directing parents to their children so they could leave. Mercedes helped a social worker lead kids to a bus. Deacon and Kevin checked Sofie while she sat on the floor with her back against the wall.

I spotted Bradley and Hazel Wilson with two boys and led Frisco to them. "Bradley?"

"Morgan! Please tell me you found Jace." Bradley looked at me with pleading eyes while rubbing his palms.

"Not yet, but we will. Do you have a recent picture of Jace?"

Bradley dug into his back pocket and pulled out a wallet. He searched through it until he found a picture, removed it, and handed it to me. "It's Jace's school picture."

I showed the picture to Frisco. He captured the image with his phone and sent it to someone in a text message.

"I need you to recount your time with Jace today. Any detail will help, including his clothes," I said.

"Yes, of course." Hazel rehashed her day with her boys when they arrived at the center.

I checked my watch and noticed the time was three-thirty in the afternoon. The center opened at two pm. Within an hour and a half, Jace had arrived at the center and vanished.

After taking notes from Bradley and Hazel, I spoke to Dallas and Brayden. They mentioned playing on the playground before Jace left to use the bathroom.

We excused ourselves and investigated the bathroom while wearing gloves.

Frisco checked the inside of the bathroom while I examined the doorway. "The one damage is the bathroom stall, from the looks of it."

"Jace ran into the stall and locked the door before someone forced it open."

"That would make sense why there's no forced entry with a girl passed out on the floor."

I rubbed my chin. The center would be open. If everyone were outside, no one would notice anyone entering the center unannounced. We left the bathroom and looked around inside and outside for any cameras or unlocked doors.

"Morgan," Frisco called.

I walked toward Frisco, crouching near footsteps by an opened window. "What do you get?"

Frisco stood up and pointed out details. "The perp used this window since it had no cameras. That means they checked for cameras before entering."

"They knew the location of the cameras."

Frisco nodded. "The kidnappers have been watching the place. They planned it." His phone dinged with a message. "Checked the video footage. I need to take Sophia Haywood with me."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? Sofie is getting medical attention."

"Trust me. It's fine." Frisco gave me a look that left no room for argument.

******
Sofie

The paramedics gave me a shot of something. I don't know what it was, but it made me feel better quickly. Then they asked me a billion questions. It's not like I had any answers since I was taking a siesta.

Odin and his dad talked to the paramedics. They're family. At least I can trust them. If they weren't family, Odin would knock them out. Swoon.

Focus, Sofie. Stop picturing Odin's muscles. Jace is missing, and you're picturing your fiancé hulking out.

A guy approached us with Owen, and Odin recognized him. Good thing they did. I didn't have a big fat clue who this guy was.

"Hey, Frisco," Owen said.