Hide, or Go Seek?

Chapter One: Pinky Promises.

We glance across the missing persons board. Only to see she's not featured. It's like she disappeared into thin air. It felt like only yesterday we were at the park. Everyone laughing and enjoying life. It's been two months. And they still haven't put her up. It seems that no one cared except for Me and Beth. My amazing cousin, whom I took for granted, is gone.

"Oh Juliet," I whisper "why didn't I listen to you?"

I kept going back to my mind to that Tuesday morning, unable to make any sense what happened.

" Maggie , I need to talk to you." Juliet's soft voice whimpers, as if she's frightened of something.

I bend down so I'm closer to her height, and look at her concerned.

"What is it Jules is something bothering you," I ask curiously. " aren't we going to play hide and go seek with Beth?"

Juliet turns to look at something behind me very frightened. I start to turn around to look, but Juliet stops me from doing so.

"N-no. Everything is fine. I just, thought I heard a noise." She says so quietly I almost didn't hear what she said.

I look at her cautiously and then respond,

"How about we go get Beth, and go swimming? Sounds good right?" I say hoping to take her mind off of whatever it was. She just nods her head and grabs ahold of my hand, leading the way to the house.
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"Maggie, come on let's go home." Beth whispers, unable to keep a few stray tears from falling from her face. She looks as if she could break down crying any second.

I could tell it bothered her that nobody wanted to find Juliet as much as we did. I mean she was six. Even her parents haven't shed one single tear. It's like they didn't even know she exsisted.

I wipe her tears with my thumb and head my way towards the car. Trying to stay strong for Beth's sake. As we get into the car I look at Beth and start to say,

"Hey, look at me. I promise we will find her. No matter how long it takes. We won't stop until we find her. Okay?" I ask not knowing if I was reassuring myself, or Beth.

Beth lets a few tears run down her face then holds out her hand and quietly whispers, " Pinky Promise?"

I look at her and smile. Smile. Something I haven't done in a while. I hold out my pinky and grin, letting our pinkies link together. Keeping our promise. Our promise for Juliet.