The Apple Tree

chapter

LIAM 

I glanced around for a clock, of course we were so tired we never set one up. I looked around for my phone, by the light outside I guessed it was 6:00am. Time to head to work. Looking at the shower in the bathroom, i wasn't going to be showering this morning, or anytime until I was able to fix this antique. Maybe a new one would be better. Making a mental reminder, I moved quietly to the kitchen. I threw some cold water over my face and dressed myself quickly. i grabbed my keys and wallet. Walking past our open bedroom door, I noticed Katie, lying so peacefully in what I guessed was a deep sleep. All i wanted was for her and Corin to be safe. She's taken everything in so well, it makes me wonder about her past. Maybe I could just do a background check... No! There's a reason she wont tell me and everyone deserves their privacy. She's so beautiful, so amazing, so honest and kind. A text lit up my phone. Fuck, 25 past 6. I better hurry to make it to work for 7. 

I arrived at the station at 7:20. The sergeant looked at me, and just nodded. He understood and for that I was grateful. Family has such great importance to me. I don't know if I could live if i let something happen to anyone of them. Maybe I should just retire early. Change professions, I really don't know. But one thing was for sure. I would find this son of a bitch first. I lifted the file from my desk and began going through every little detail, until I knew everything about him y heart. No way was he getting away after putting my family in danger. Samuel, an old garda friend I went to college with, tapped me on the shoulder. 

'Liam, its 1 o clock, have you gone for lunch get? You need to get your head out of the case file for a while, come on'

I reluctantly put the case file down, i knew he was right though. My stomach started to ache of hunger.  

We sat into the car, I instantly took out my phone and messaged Katie.

'Hey, you okay? Cant wait to see you soon'

I threw my phone back onto the dash and began to talk to Samuel. He told me about is family. I knew when we were in college he had a little girl, but he now has another, a little boy. He asked me about Corin. I filled him in on everything. He looked so worried, but I think thats parents instinct. As soon as you hear about some child being in danger, you think about your own. 

After lunch, I looked back at my phone, no reply. Although it was a bit odd, I presumed she was just busy.

I finished the shift and began walking out to the car. I sat into the car and checked my phone again. Still nothing. My stomach began to turn. I felt sick, nervous sick. I flung the phone into the passenger seat and raced home.

I pulled up in the drive way, all the windows and blinds were shut, the way i left them this morning. 

Except one window, Corin's room...