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𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄, 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟓
Addisons and Derek's mood had changed dramatically after Missy had stormed out of Joe's Bar in a fit of rage.
"She'll be back soon," Derek kept saying, his eyes fixed on the door as if he could will it to open and let Missy through.
Addison twirled her glass in her hands, the ice cubes clinking softly. "Derek, she should be back by now." Her voice was calm, but there was concern beneath the surface.
Derek, already halfway through his scotch, nodded slowly. "Missy's stubborn, but she knows it's cold outside. She wouldn't want to stay out too long."
Time passed, and with each minute, their worries grew. Derek kept checking his phone for a message from Missy, but the screen remained blank.
"Let's go outside and check on her. I'm worried. There are a lot of people out tonight."
He left a few bills on the counter, including a generous tip for Joe, and followed Addison outside. The cool air hit them like a cold shower, and they immediately began searching the area.
Addison grabbed his arm, her gaze desperately looking for any sign of her daughter. "Where could she have gone? She doesn't know anyone here."
Derek pulled out his phone and tried to call Missy again, but she didn't answer. "She's got to have heard it ringing. Unless..." His voice trailed off, driven by a thought he didn't want to finish.
"Derek, look over there!" Addison pointed to a group of teenagers walking further down the street. For a moment, she thought she saw Missy among the costumed creatures.
They hurried in that direction, but as they approached, the sighting turned out to be nothing. "Damn, it wasn't her," Derek muttered in frustration and kept looking.
They continued on, cutting through crowds that were either too drunk to be helpful or too caught up in their own Halloween antics.
A group of costumed teenagers approached them, their mood festive and somewhat reckless. Derek stopped one of them.
"Excuse me, have you seen a sixteen year old girl, about this tall, long brown hair, blue jeans? She might have looked upset."
A vampire with exaggerated makeup shook his head. "Sorry, man, I saw a lot of girls tonight. But none that looked particularly upset. Good luck with your search, though."
"We should call the police, Derek. It's Halloween, all kinds of people are out here," Addison said after they checked the nearby streets but found no sign of Missy.
Suddenly, Derek's phone vibrated in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out and his face lit up when he saw the name on the screen.
