Whispers of Shadowed Hearts

Chapter 7

Summer Brooks

Two Years Ago, Last day of July

The last day of July was unbearable for New York, as usual.

While everywhere else was warm and perfect for swimming, New York was trapped in a summer rain. I hated the rain. I could never be one of those girls who watched the rain from the window for hours, lost in thought.

If my mom had allowed it, I would be on a tropical summer trip with my friends now, sipping my drink by the sea. But nothing was going the way I wanted.

I picked up my phone and dialed a number. When it didn't connect on the first try, I frowned and dialed again. Finally, on the fourth try, it was answered. "Babe?"

"Dave? Why didn't you answer the phone?"

"I went swimming with Sarah, love. You called a few times, but I didn't hear." I heard a girl's giggling in the background. Sarah was my best friend. I was sure she'd look after Dave.

"Oh, really?" The shouts of the girls in the background got louder. "I wish I could be there."

"Dave! Come on! I need a partner for chicken fighting against Mia and Carlos!" Sarah's voice sounded much happier than usual. Even though she was my best friend, I couldn't help but feel jealous.

"Coming! Baby, I have to go. I'll talk to you later!"

"Wait, Dave...!" The phone hung up before I could say anything else. He had gone swimming with the others, but I wanted to talk to him. I threw the phone on the couch in frustration and then flopped down, kicking the couch with my feet. I should have been on that trip too.

My mom and I had a big fight before they left the house, but I still couldn't convince them to let me go on the trip. They insisted we had to attend some event. There were events like this every month, what was so special about this one?

I was alone in the big house with nothing to do. The rain hit the windows hard and tense, and the house was filled with loneliness. They should have come back by now, but no one had arrived.

My family didn't think Dave was right for me. That's why they didn't want me to go on a trip with him, but that was ridiculous. They'd known Dave's father for a long time, so why didn't they allow it?

But Dave loved me. At 16, everyone else's parents let them go on trips alone, but not mine.

Maybe I overreacted, and that's why I was grounded at home, but I still expected them to be back by now, no matter how mad they were at me.

I fell asleep on the couch and was woken up by the doorbell. Something was wrong; my mom and dad always had their keys with them. So who was at the door?

I went to the security camera screen in fear, but all I saw were men in suits. Maybe my mom and dad had sent their friends. I didn't think they were that angry at me.

They must have been too angry to even want to see my face. I had disrespected them.

"Miss Brooks?"

"Yes?" I frowned as I noticed the police badge on their lapels. What was the police doing here at this hour?

"We need you to come with us. We need to speak with you at the station." What could the police want with me? I had never broken any laws.

"Why? I didn't do anything." One of the officers turned to his partner, who nodded in approval.

I had no idea that the words he was about to say would turn my whole life upside down. I could never have predicted it. I never thought anyone would ever say such words to me. I never even imagined it... it didn't match any of the scenarios I was prepared for.