Life is the Long Game

Chapter 24

Riley's POV:

"Riley, honey! I got here as fast as I could!" I hear Maya call out before she arrives in the nursery, where I haven't yet gotten up from the floor, nor stopped crying. She hugs me tightly.
"Riley, listen to me, we are going to find her, but you sat here crying won't do anything." She says sternly.
"Lucas called the cops."
"I know, they are downstairs talking to him. They want to talk to you."
"But all I know is that she is gone and I feel numb."
"Sweetie."
"I just want my baby back." I sob.
"We all want her back. Which is why you gotta go get dressed and we start looking for her. Josh, Eric, your grandparents and your parents are already looking and helping the police get leads, and your aunt is downstairs with Lucas and so is Mr Feeny."
"They are all here?"
"Yeah, oh and Farkle and Enid are in the helicopter looking."
"Okay."
Maya helps me change and we go downstairs. I go to say something but they hush me, there is a phone on speaker.
"I'll give back the baby if I get Lucas and his father." A muffled voice says.
"Where?" Lucas asks calmly.
"Topanga's. No one can be there."
"Okay. We'll be there at 1."
Then the line runs dead.
"Lucas!" I go over and hug him.
"I'm gonna call my dad." He goes off and phones him.
"Miss Matthews, I am SSA Derek Morgan. I work for the FBI. My team and I are going to find your daughter, I assure you."
"This is a case for the FBI?" I choke.
"There has been 3 other cases like this, and we believe they are linked."
"What department are you and your team?"
"BAU, the behavioural analysis unit, ma'am."
"Please find her."
"We are doing our best."
"What happened to the others?" I ask, barely a whisper.
"Pardon?"
"Did the other children die?"
"Yes, I'm sorry. But we have much stronger leads on this case."
"You don't have much time. 48 hours. 10 of which have gone."
"I understand. I know."

Lucas's POV:

When my dad arrives, another SSA agent, takes us to Topanga's, JJ, she is called and we meet her colleague, Dr Spencer Reid. We have to wait for half hour, so I just talk with my dad.
"There is something you should know Lucas." My dad says.
"What's that?"
"Your mother and I are getting a divorce. I haven't seen her in a week."
"Why?"
"She was acting differently and she isn't forgiving you and I've had enough."
"I'm sorry."
"Um, guys, it's time." The doctor comes over to us and informs.
We walk into the empty café.
"Hello? I'm here for Amelie. It's Lucas and my Dad." I call out, my voice shaking. Then a figure dressed in black walks out with a baby car seat. They take off their mask and jacket.
"You?" My voice trembling with the rest of my body.
"I have a gun."
"Why?" My dad asks.
"Because I found out about your teenage years, Rick."
"They were long before I met you, what have they got to do with anything?"
"Everything." She raises the gun and points at my dad.
"Mom. You don't have to do this." I tell her, edging closer. She pulls out another gun and points it at me. I hear my fragile daughter, cry weakly. My mom has her finger on the trigger.
"I will shoot, you all if you acknowledge that baby. I'm gonna count to three, and the triggers will be pulled. 3," She begins. "2, 1."

*BANG* *BANG*