I'm Right Here

Chapter Twelve

"Goddamn it, Annie!" Jake yelled inside the car, slamming his palm onto the steering wheel. He has been searching for Annie for almost an hour now ever since he received a call from Camilla. She said she got a call from Annie's mom that Garth kicked her out of the house after over hearing her confession. She didn't have the time to pack her things or anything; not even her phone.

The rain was getting heavy and Jake thought furiously about where she could be. Thinking of her in a corner, all huddled up by herself and soaking wet...or maybe in a dark alley with three drunken men––

Jake's grip tightened as he shook his head, not letting the thought finish. From the passenger seat, his phone rang and saw Camilla's name.

"Any luck?" Camilla said, not bothering to hide the worry in her voice.

"Nothing," he said. "I can't find her. I went to their house first, but I didn't see her at the porch. Do you think she's at the school?"

"Why? She has no reason to go there."

"I'm just considering all the possible places. Maybe she's just looking for shelter from the rain. I don't know."

"If it's just shelter, she won't go that far." Camilla paused for a moment. "What about diners? Convenience stores?"

"Would they let her in if she's soaking wet? She has no money. They won't let her stay this long."

"I know! I'm just considering places too. Fuck..."

Jake turned a corner, not sure where it was leading to. "Is there a place where she just goes on her own to clear her head? Or maybe a place where both of you hang out most of the time?"

"Uhm..." There was a long pause. Jake could hear her mumbling to herself as she thought of places or even a name of a place; a lot of maybe's, and a lot of no's. Finally, she said, "I think I know a place, but I'm not a hundred percent sure if she's really there."

"Tell me."

"Okay. So, there is this playground where we hang out a lot when we just want to be away from the world. It's an open area, though. She can't possibly be there."

"Leave it to me. Where is it?"

"It's just across the street from the only community day care we have."

"Right. I'll call you as soon as something comes up."

"Same. Good luck, Morrison."

-----//-----//-----//-----

Annie was cold and wet, but she didn't care. She sat at one of the swings on the playground and stared blankly at the ground. She has no place to go and Cam couldn't help her.

Her scalp was still throbbing thanks to Garth literally dragging her by the hair and out the door. Cassandra couldn't do anything. She tried to stop him but only got a punch on her face. A heat rose to her neck and Annie started thrashing against his grip, cursing at him with all the horrible words she could think of. Apparently, Garth didn't like that either. He yanked her hair hard enough to tear the scalp a bit, and literally threw her out to the front porch.

"Get the fuck out of my house!" Was all he said and slammed the door at her face.

Annie let out a loud, furious scream before getting up to leave. She wondered what happened to her mother after. If she received a beating, or did he leave her alone? She grew more anxious thinking that she was now alone with that asshole. She has to figure out a way to get her mother away from him soon.