Girl Next Door (Editing)

Fears (I)

Julian's POV

Robin. Kidnapped. My mind couldn't process it yet. If Uncle Duncan hadn't stopped me, I might have hurt myself and Eli.
It's his fault!
My mind kept screaming. It wasn't entirely Eli's fault. Sure, he went cruising somewhere and got us all worried but I should have gone with Robin even when she said no. Where was my upbringing?  How could I have been so stupid? None of us had slept well last night. How can you even sleep when you hear something like this? Uncle Duncan walked into my room with Eli tailing behind him. His bloodshot eyes told the story. He didn't sleep either.

"Julian, it's not your fault"

"Uncle Duncan, if I had gone with her,she would have been alright "

"Or the kidnappers would have beaten you up because you'd try to save Robin."

"There'd be nothing wrong with that"

"You'd be in the hospital, Julian and we'd have to worry about you and Robin" When he placed it that way, i guess I could see reason. It still didn't take away the full guilt that was eating away my insides.

"Let me leave two of you to talk" I didn't want to be alone with Eli. At that moment, I couldn't help but resent him a little bit. Robin was never going to be mine because of her feelings for Eli. Now, because of my best friend, she was missing.

"Julian, I'm terribly sorry " I looked at him. After recovering from fainting, all he had done was blame himself. He looked awful. I felt guilty I blamed him too.

"I'm also sorry I couldn't keep her safe. I should have fought harder to go with her" I answered, barely able to look him in the eye. I hoped Robin would forgive us. If she comes back alive. I pushed the thought away. Robin couldn't die on us.

"The police are downstairs. Let's go"

"you've got to eat something, Eli"

"Maybe later. Let's listen to what they have to say" I nodded and followed him downstairs.

Ted's POV

Laurie had called me to give me the news. My niece had been kidnapped. Who'd want to kidnap Robin? Why would they target her?
She's a McCurdy.
How could I forget that. The kidnapper would want money and the McCurdy's were money. I didn't know what to do. One thing was for sure, I didn't think Lorna would take it lightly. Stanley was enraged and had contacted his security firm, placing his best men on the case. I walked over to the Johnson home the day after the kidnapping,  scared of calling Lorna.

"Laurie, you and Duncan don't have to stay. You can go to work. " I told her. She looked sad. She was Lorna's friend till she cut herself off from everyone.

"It's alright Ted. I've changed shifts with another doctor. I'd go in the evening. Duncan will leave in a moment. Where are the policemen who were here?"

"I told them to leave. Stanley's security team will yield more results."

"I hope so, Ted. Have you told Lorna about it yet?" I just shook my head and she laughed. We all knew how my sister could act.
Stanley joined us, trailed by six men. I recognised them immediately. His elite squad.

"Can we have the boys here before we start?" His voice was brisk but I knew it was necessary. Robin had grown on him, and like me, he cared deeply about her.

"Sure. Let me text Duncan and Elidamus. " Laurie took out her phone and I brought out mine. There's no time like the present. I said to myself as I dialed my sister's number.

"Lorna, there's something I have to tell you and I'm not sure how you're going to take it"

Lorna's POV

Kidnapped.  My baby had been kidnapped. It was surreal. It was impossible. I thought Ted's call would be like anything else. Him trying to convince me to come to San Francisco. I just didn't expect this.

"Ted, would you just tell me why you called?" I sounded exasperated. My shift would start soon and I needed to be there.

"Lorna, Robin just got kidnapped " those words made my world freeze. I remember screaming and accusing him.

"How could you let that happen!  You were supposed to take care of my baby! How dare you!  I trusted you, Ted! Get my daughter back and if a strand of hair on her head is harmed, I'd never forgive you!"
I hanged up and after awhile, I felt bad. Ted had taken care of Robin. I had overreacted and acted ungrateful. I went to work and pretended everything was alright.  Kian was off that night so we had a normal dinner with Kian acting lively.

"Mum, I called Robin. She didn't answer me. Have I been a bad boy? " my heart skipped a beat. Kian caught my worried look and I shook my head.

"No, sweetheart.  I'm sure your sister is busy with her books. I'll call your uncle later today okay?"

"Sure, mum. Can I go upstairs? I have to finish my homework. My teacher said if I do my homework, I would be smart as Robin and be on TV! "

"Go ahead. I'd do the dishes for you tonight. "
Kian said nothing and followed me to the kitchen after Kieran left. It was hard to keep it all together.

"My love, what is bothering you? " I smiled. I married a smart man.

"Kian, we have to go to San Francisco" He looked confused not that I blamed him. I had said no to going to San Francisco so many times.

"is everything alright my love?"

"Kian. Our daughter just got kidnapped. " I burst into tears and he just held me close.

"What about Kieran? If we tell him what happened he would break"

"We can't just leave him here. We'd have to take him along." I said wiping my tears.

"We'll take him but we'd have to lie to him. We'd tell him Robin had to go somewhere because of school.  He'd understand it clearly." He helped me with the dishes. I knew what he was trying to do. He wouldn't break down because that would make me lose control of my emotions and I appreciated that. That was part of the reasons I married him. We settled in the couch after we were done. Kieran bounded into the room not long afterwards.

"Mum, dad, can I watch TV with you guys before I go to bed?"

"Sure, sweetheart. There's something your dad and I want to tell you. "

"Really?  What is it?"

"Your uncle Ted has invited us to San Francisco. We wanted to know if you'd go"

"Would Robin be there?"

"Your sister had to go somewhere because of school so we won't see her for a bit"

"oh"

"Don't worry, kiddo, we'd stay till we see her okay?"

"Okay, dad" Kieran left claiming he had to pack. He was growing up so fast that I felt really proud.

"let's call, Ted. He needs to book us a flight" I said.

"I'm gonna take a shower. Do that okay?" I nodded and he kissed me before leaving. 

"Hello Ted, can you book the three of us a flight? We're coming over "

I know you want it to be focused on Robin and Eli but allow Robin to suffer a little bit. 😈

~ Khanbikeh