Dear Diary

t w e n t y - o n e

Ari slept in my bed. She refused at first, saying that it was my bed, after all, but when I claimed that I wasn't tired, she finally gave in and curled up under the covers.

I sat on the couch. I was tired, extremely tired, but I didn't want to succumb to sleep. That's where everything haunted me.

I accidentally drifted off, but I woke up soon enough, breathing hard and covered in sweat. I groaned, wiping my hand across my forehead, and then stood up, making myself more coffee, trying to stay up.

As I sipped my coffee, a knock came at the door. I blearily stood up, clutching my black spotted mug. I made my way over to the door and opened it.

Outside stood a police officer. I tried not to show that I was nervous they would take Ari away.

"Hello, Mr. Horan," the police officer said. He had a deep, soothing voice, one that almost lulled me to sleep.

"Hello," I said, obviously sounding tired.

"I apologize if I interrupted your sleep," the officer said, glancing at the time. Four o' three. I bet he was wondering who sleeps that early. "I'm sure you've heard about Aristasia's escape?"

It was then I decided I needed to put on an act. I could not let them know Ari was secretly here, hiding from them.

"Oh, yes," I said, nodding. "Have you found her yet? I've been so worried!"

I was a fairly good actor. I wondered what the consequence was for lying to a police officer.

"No, not yet," the officer replied. "I was wondering if I could search your home?"

"Yes, of course," I answered, stepping back and allowing him to enter my tiny house. "If you don't mind, though, I'm going to try and get some sleep."

"Of course." The police officer nodded, and I had to restrain myself from running to the bedroom.

I stepped through the door, closing it softly behind me. Ari was sound asleep, her brown hair sprawled across the pillow. I crept toward the bed, slowly climbing under the covers, thinking. If the officer were to search in here, how could I hide Ari?

As I laid my head on the pillow, Ari opened her eyes and sat up, blinking.

"Shh," I whispered before she could talk. "There's an officer here, searching for you."

"Where do I hide?" she asked quietly, eyes wide. She didn't want to go back to the hospital.

"Under the covers," I said, thinking quickly. My house wasn't very big; it wouldn't take too long for the officer to search the entire place. "Try and make yourself as tiny as possible."

Ari obeyed, slipping under the covers and curling up. I moved closer to her, hoping that her frame wouldn't be too noticeable if the officer were to peek in here.

As I heard footsteps approaching, I closed my eyes and evened my breathing, pretending to sleep. The door opened; there was no sound for a minute, other than the erratic beating of my heart, and then the door closed again. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and climbed out of bed.

"Is he gone?" Ari asked, poking her head above the blankets.

"I'm not sure," I said. "You stay here while I check."

I opened the door and looked all around the house. No officer. I peered out the window. No officer.

We did it. He's gone, and Ari's safe.