Plus One. ~ Sequel to 'Love Unlocked.'

Chapter 7 Part 1: Tattoo.

Cassidy:

I wake up to blinding sunlight pouring through my window. I check the time on my phone: 8:30am. I look over at Perri who still fast asleep. I head into the living room and turn on the news waiting to see what has been put up about my parents today. I flick through my social media as the stories past by on the TV screen. 

'Breaking News! Cindy and Harry Baxter have been found and detained in Auckland Police Station. However they could not find Alex Baxter their youngest daughter.'

"Oh my gosh! Alex!" I say rushing into my room. "Perri!" I say shaking him.

"Babe? What's wrong?" He says sitting up startled.

"The police have my parents... but not Alex! They've hurt her- I know it! Perri what if they've done the unthinkable..." I say pacing up and down.

"Cassidy, calm down. Breathe. Look they will find her. At least your parents can't do anything else." Perri says holding my shoulders.

"What if I never see her again..." I say resting my head on Pel's chest.

"You will- trust me." He says kissing my head.

After I've calmed down I get changed. Perri goes to sort Ava out for me. I go over to the wardrobe flicking through my clothes. I don't feel up to dressing smart- so I pull on my Puma black joggers and a white crop top. I tie my hair up into a messy bun and add concealer and mascara. Once I'm finished I head into Ava's room to see Perri dressing her in a purple vest and a pair of shorts.

"Your good at this dressing thing!" I say putting my arms around his waist.

"I've learnt it from you!" He says winking.

I leave Perri so that he can get ready and go to check the news website on my laptop. I scroll through the stories clicking on the one involving my parents. I read through it clicking on the update button when it pops up. 

I shake my head in disbelief. This cannot be happening. I stare at the screen reading it over and over.

UPDATE: Alex Baxter's teddy has been found with blood splats on it.

I take the laptop into our room and place it in front of Perri not saying a word. He looks at me his face pale. He's silent. I'm silent.

"It could just be from a scratch..." He says trying to make me feel better.

Nothing will make me feel better.

~~~~

I pick up Ava carrying her to Perri's car. Once we are all in we head over to the studio. Dani isn't on the desk so we head straight into Studio 1. As I enter the boys just look at me. 

"We are all here for you..." Ashley says.

"We saw the news." Sam says.

I give them a small smile.

"Thanks." I say sitting down on the mats with Ava.

Perri:

We spend 3 hours rehearsing. Cassidy hasn't said a word since she sat down. I can't imagine what she's thinking. When we finish I go over and sit with her.

"C'mon." I say pulling her up. "Lets go outside." I put my arm around her. "Can you watch Ava?" I nod to Sam.

We head outside and sit on the wall.

"I can't even begin to think what it must feel like for you, but I'm here and so are the boys. Whenever you need to talk or just company. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but the offers there. Okay." I say looking her in the eyes.

Cassidy just nods.

"I would like to get a tattoo." She says quietly.

"What?" I say.

"Just to let Alex, You and Ava know something." She says looking at me. "You probably think I'm mad but it would help me cope..."

"But your too young." I say.

"Well, I've got a baby so I don't think a tattoo is going to be 'breaking rules'." She says laughing.

"Um, okay. If that's what you really want." I say readjusting my glasses.

She nods.

"Will you sign the form for me- because I'm sixteen."

This time I nod. I go in and collect Ava before we head into town.

Cassidy:

We head inside the tattoo studio and go over to the desk.

"Hello, how can I help you?" The young girl behind the desk says.

"Um, I would like to get a tattoo." I say quietly.

"Okay, I will get someone to see you now."

"Thankyou." I say as me and Pel take a seat.

I explain to the tattoo artist what the situation is and he goes to draw something up. Perri signs the forms for me as I get the placement perfect. Perri and Ava come into the room with me whilst he gets the tattoo gun ready.

"You ready?" The tattoo artist says.

"Yep." I say looking at Perri.

He smiles and holds my hand. The pain isn't unbearable- but it hurts. My sister is going through worst pain, so I can sit through one little tattoo. It takes about 15- 20 minutes to complete the tattoo. I stand up to check it in the mirror.

"Oh my god! It's perfect! Thankyou!" I say going and hugging him.

I go over to Pel and show him. "It's a promise to Alex and you that I will always be looking for her and I'm always going to be with you." I say as he hugs me.

My tattoo is on my collarbone. It's a quote reading 'Until the very end'. It's in calligraphy writing. I love it. I love what it stands for, what it looks like and the promise made with the tattoo.

I have it taped up before we head home.

~~~~

"I love you." Perri says when we settle on the sofa at home.

"I love you too." I say snuggling into him.

"We will find Alex."

"I hope so." I say closing my eyes.