Captured

Chapter Twenty-Two

Nicco's POV

"Hi mommy," I say and smile.

My mom just stared at me. She didn't say a word. Why isn't she talking? This is kind of scaring me. Before I could say something to break the awkward silence my mom threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. A little too tight.

"I can't breathe," I muttered.

She quickly loosened her grip, but was still hugging me. Then she started crying. Why was she crying? Did she really miss me that much?

"Mom, why are you crying?" I ask her.

"I haven't seen in you in so long. I didn't know where you went, where you were, what you were doing. I thought you were never coming back. Do you know how worried I've been? I put up so many 'missing person' posters up around town. I've told the police to keep looking for you. But they just gave up. They declared you as dead. I knew you weren't. So we never stopped looking for you. We didn't lose hope," mom said, still sobbing. Wow. They've been looking for me all this time? I know that I shouldn't be surprised by that, but honestly I thought that they would just stop trying.

"Mama, you didn't have to look for me. I was going to come back," I said.

"Where were you? And where's Rebecca?"

Crap. How do I answer that? I can't tell her where I was and where Rebecca is. That will make my mom call the cops. What do I say? I guess that I'll just have to make up a story.

"Oh. Rebecca and I went with some friends to a hotel to get away for a little while. Did you not read the note that I wrote for you?" I lied. It kills me to lie to her. But she can't know the truth.

"I guess not. Why did you not text or call me?"

"We all decided to keep our phones at home."

I'm surprised she's not yelling at me. I mean. I didn't even ask her if I could go. Even though that's not where I was. My mom is a very understanding person though. So I guess that's why she's not yelling. I know she's disappointed in me. She didn't raise me this way. To lie. But there's no way she can know the truth.

"Okay. I'm just glad that you're here. You should've told me in person, though."

"I know, mama. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Nicco. Now, where's Rebecca?"

"She's riding back with some other friends. They were at the beach when my car load left. They should be on their way back."

"Okay. Well, I'm going to call Rebecca's family and tell them. They're worries sick."

"Okay, mom."

Mom went and called Rebecca's parents. I listened to the conversation for a little while. Lies. That's all I cold think while listening to the conversation. I couldn't listen anymore. If I did then I would eventually yell the full truth. I can't even imagine how hurt Rebecca's parents will be when she doesn't come home. They might think that she got into a car accident. Or that she didn't even left. That idea wouldn't be that bad. It would mean that she's safe. She's not, though. But they can't know that. I ran up the stairs to my room.

My room is the same as it was when I got kidnapped. God, I hate that word now.. Nothing in my room was moved. My bed was still unmade. Clothes were still scattered all around the floor. The pictures on my wall and mirror were still the same. I miss my home...

"Nicco, sweetie! Stay in your room until I yell for you! We're going to surprise your father and siblings!" mom yelled up at me.

"Okay!" I replied.

Daddy...God, how I miss him. I miss when we would go down to the lake and fish. When we would feed the ducks. I miss when we would go buy ice cream and joke around t the park. I miss when we would read me a bed time story every time I couldn't fall asleep.

My siblings? I miss them even more. They're my whole world. They are by far the most adorable kids I've ever seen. They both have sky blue eyes, unlike me. Tyler has brown curly hair and Autumn has straight blonde hair. Tyler is five and Autumn is three. I bet they thought that I was just at a friends house for a long time. They wouldn't understand this type of thing at the ages they are. Tyler and Autumn are the happiest kids I've ever met. They don't have any worries. They just deserve the best in life.

I hear the front door open and close. The sound of giggles that made my heart flutter flowed through the house. I've missed hearing those laughs.

"Hello honey," I hear my dad say.

"Hi dear. How was the amusement park?" mom replies.

"It was amazing! Daddy went on a big slide with us," Mason said.

"And we got cotton candy and ice cream. We also got to see a magic show!" Autumn said.

They sound so happy. That really warms my heart. Why didn't mom go with them to the amusement park though?

"That's great! Sounds like you had fun," mom said and chuckled.

"Oh, we did!" Tyler said.

Mom laughed her contagious laugh. "Well," she say, "I actually have a huge surprise for all three of you."

"What is it?" dad asked.

"It's upstairs. Well, they are. Come on down!"

Here goes nothing...