Runaway

-Sam-

File 006724

Name: Rebekka Highlands

Age: 17

Status: Missing Person

Again. Why does she keep doing this? She must know it's a waste of police time. We don't want to go chasing after her halfway across the country. The file says missing person but I know she ran away again.

First I have to talk to her mum and step father, then moving on to her friends. The usual.

Bekki's house hasn't changed since the last time she ran away. The front door is open and I wander down the hall to see Sarah Highlands sitting on the couch. Her eyes are red and swollen. A purple bruise, coupled with dried blood stain the left side of her face. It looks recent. She is wearing a scarf which is weird considering the time of year. Used tissues cover almost every surface. A shattered family photo lies against the wall. Something feels different this time. It's strange because in the past she wasn't nearly this upset. Previously Sarah was almost apathetic towards the situation.

"Hello Sarah," I say calmly, although she makes my blood boil. Why can't she look after her daughter? It's not that hard! I have three children of my own, plus an intense almost 24/7 job and I still manage! Bekki isn't that much of a handful. A little troubled sure, but all teenagers have that phase. She's generally a sweet girl.

"I need to ask you some questions about Rebekka."

"Sure, go ahead." She mumbles from behind a handful of tissues.

"Okay, did Bekki display any strange behaviour prior to the disappearance?"

"Umm... I don't know..." She seems embarrassed about this, like she wishes she could give me an answer. "Well... She had been spending a lot more time on the computer talking to someone, and didn't seem to be talking with her friends at school much. But I was probably imagining things, so forget I said that."

"Hmmm... Okay." I better write that down. Seems important. Sarah might not think so, but she hasn't been in the force for 14 years has she. "Anything else to report? As you know, the smallest details can make the biggest difference."

"No... I'm sorry Detective. She doesn't tell me anything anymore. We had a huge argument last night. She hates her stepfather you know that? We were fighting about that. She has never given him a chance. Kyle is a good man... Really... And I love him, I really do... She stormed off into her room, and, was gone half an hour later when I went to apologise." 

An aura of grey surrounds Sarah. A solitary tear rolls down her face. She looks like she will collapse if I ask her anymore. Thanking her for her time, she gives me permission to look around in Bekki's room.