Adopted By One Direction

13.

Niall's POV

My heart was pounding as the store clerk talked to Lou and Hazza.

If only we hadn't been arguing; If only we had been paying attention; If only...

We were sitting in a nearby store, the closest place she could've gotten. The employee at the counter called a Code Adam and described Alexia, then hung up the intercom. (A/N: A Code Adam is a strictly defined and followed procedure that is used when someone reports a child missing or lost. This is the procedure that is used:

If a visitor reports a child is missing, a detailed description of the child and what he or she is wearing is obtained. Additionally, all exterior access to the building is locked and monitored; anyone approaching a door is turned away.The employee goes to the nearest in-house telephone and pages Code Adam, describing the child's physical features and clothing. As designated employees monitor front entrances, other employees begin looking for the child.If the child is not found within 10 minutes, law enforcement is called.If the child is found and appears to have been lost and unharmed, the child is reunited with the searching family member.If the child is found accompanied by someone other than a parent or legal guardian, reasonable efforts to delay their departure will be used without putting the child, staff, or visitors at risk. Law enforcement will be notified and given details about the person accompanying the child.The Code Adam page will be canceled after the child is found or law enforcement arrives)

The employees locked the doors and began to search the store and the surrounding exterior area.

Liam walked over and sat down next to me. I looked up at him, running my hands through my hair, "I keep thinking that if-"

"Niall, stop. We can't be blaming ourselves." He said comfortingly.

"I can't help it! If we had just-"

"Niall, don't be so hard on yourself. We'll find her."

Ten minutes passed and the employee came up to us, "There's no sign of her. We're going to call the police. Please, stay here and the police will be here soon."

Zayn punched the wall but the thick walls did not waver. Louis paced the floor, Liam jiggled his leg uncontrollably, Harry was nowhere to be found and I...I simply trembled.

No...I could not have a panic attack here. The lads didn't know and I couldn't let them know. I tried my breathing exercises but to no avail. I copied Lou's motion to pace and we waited for the police to get here.

10 Minutes Later

Harry's POV

The police showed up soon after Niall started pacing.

He was going to have a panic attack; I was sure of it. I knew the signs all too well, considering how I used to be. I absently traced a single pink scar that was left on my wrist, that was well hidden under two bracelets that I always wore.

I couldn't stop myself from thinking the worst. What if she was hurt, what if she was dead, what if..

What if; The two words with endless possibilities.

What and If are the two most nonthreatening words in the English language, besides puppies probably. But put them together? Now they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life.

What if Alexia was gone for good?

The police questioned each of us and finally got to me," When was the last time you saw Alexia?"

"I don't know."

The officer raised an eyebrow at his partner, "You've been on the same tour bus for weeks and you can't remember the last time you saw her?"

"That's just it." I said, leaning my elbows on my knees, "We've been on the same bus for weeks."

I paused to prevent tears and continued, "We'd been arguing...loudly. We had been kind of ignoring her because of how busy we were." I ran my fingers through my hair, "Fuck, this is all our fault." I said to myself. The officers gave me their condolences and walked away, calling codes into their radios and speeding off.

Liam's POV

Our mental states were fragile and we could break at any moment.

I was so tired. I was tired of being on tour, tired of arguing, tired of feeling helpless, and tired of Alexia being gone.

I was tired.

(and now, the moment you've all be waiting for...)

Alexia's POV

I wiped hot tears from my eyes as I realized I didn't have enough change for the bus.

I didn't know where I was going...

My plan was to get back to LA any way that I could. I couldn't live with the boys anymore. I loved them. They loved me

The bus pulled up and the driver opened the door, "You gettin' on, kid?" He asked. I shook my head. The bus driver's stony expression softened, "Hey, kid, I'll take what you have, if its money."

I held out a few crumpled bills and he payed the difference, closing the door behind me.

We drove towards LA for a few hours, and we were about half way there.

It was 4 in the morning when a drunk driver got on the freeway next to us. He seemed dazed and confused.

The bus driver, who had been eyeing him suspiciously, lagged slightly behind him.

The driver swerved in front of the bus and the last thing I remember was the bus horn blaring all around me.