Facade (Laurmani)

four

"What do we do?" "My Dad's at the police station, he told me he'd update me and to stay in school for the rest of the day but-" "Go, I'll say you're sick. In fact no, I'll come too." "What? No Camila you don't have to do that. I can't ask you to do that!" "You're not asking, I'm offering. Please Lauren, I wanna help you find her." "My Mom is dangerous Camila, I can't put you in that position, I appreciate the offer of your help but, I can't let you do that." "Lauren." "Just, just say I'm sick or something. I'm going down to the station. I need to be there for my Dad." "Well update me okay? And please Lauren, please stay safe, be careful if you see your Mom." Lauren hugged the girl tightly and nodded into her neck. "I will. I love you." "I love you too Lo." The two girls stood in each other's embrace for a few seconds before letting go. "Go, help find Taylor." Lauren took a deep shuddery breath and sprinted to the exit doors. She hoped they'd find her little sister, but she knew even if they did, it would be hard to take her from her. Taylor had no idea what their mother was really like, and that worried Lauren, and her father probably too. Clara was very manipulative, she could be nice as pie one second and then a fucking demon the next one. Lauren learnt that, the hard way. "Daddy!" Lauren ran into his arms and held him tightly. "Lauren? Baby I told you to stay in school!" "You really think I could concentrate knowing my baby sister is missing with a monster?" She asked incredulously. "Lauren, don't say that, she's your mother." "A mother wouldn't have done what she did to me." Lauren whispered. Mike kissed his daughter's cheek and pulled her into another tight hug. "I'm sorry Lauren, I'm so sorry I wasn't there." "It's not your fault Dad..is there any news?" "Not yet. We just have to let the police do their jobs." "What if something happens to her?" "I don't think your mother would hurt Taylor." "I didn't think she would hurt me, but she did didn't she." Lauren said bitterly. "Lauren.." "I'm sorry Papi." She sighed. "I'm just worried about her." "I know, me too." "Mr. Jauregui? We've located your daughter, she's with her mother in a flat on the east side." "Oh thank God. Where is she? Is she okay? Is she hurt? When do I get her back?" "I understand there's a custody battle in motion?" "Uh yes, my ex-wife is planning to fight for the custody of our children, they're currently in my care." "I heard there was a fight last night, and it got physical?" "She threw a plate at me." "Did anyone see it?" "Lauren. You saw it didn't you honey? You just came back from school." "Uh, I mean I saw the plate come flying at me.." "interesting." The officer said. "No I mean I didn't get hurt, but I didn't see who threw it. It makes sense with my Mom, she's been violent towards me before, and my Dad." "I'm a good father." "I believe you. But since the girls are both underage I think it's best to take them into the care of social services." "You can't do that! They're my kids!" Mike said, wrapping a protective arm around Lauren. "I'm afraid we can sir." "Daddy don't let them do this." Lauren whimpered in fright. "Where's Taylor?" "She's being taken into a care home, it was hard to take her from her mother, which I believe says a lot about your relationship." "No that's not true! She loves my Dad, she just doesn't know what Mom is like! She can't-please don't do this to us!" Lauren said desperately with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry Miss, but it's our duty to take care of you. This is the only way for now." "Time to go Lauren." A social worker with the fakest smile joined the trio's conversation. "Daddy-" "It'll be alright Lolo, I'll sort things out. I'll visit at soon as I can." Mike said before turning to the social worker. "When will that be?" "Probably a few days." "Dad-" "You'll he okay babygirl, trust me. Do you trust me?" Lauren nodded and hugged the man tightly. "Te quiero, mija. Solo haz lo que dicen." "Daddy I'm scared." Lauren whimpered. "Don't be scared. Everything will be okay. Esta bien." "Lauren. Let's go. Your sister will be waiting for us." That got Lauren's attention. Lauren took a deep breath and nodded, reluctantly following the lady, looking back at her father anxiously who gave her a small nod, but she didn't miss the tear rolling down his left cheek. "I'll get you girls back, I promise."