Derek has spent the past week desperately searching for his daughter, Amber, who mysteriously vanished without a trace.
Just when hope seemed to fade, a chance encounter with a homeless person carrying Amber’s backpack sparks a glimmer of possibility. With no leads from the police, this unexpected discovery may be the breakthrough Derek has been waiting for.
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With a heavy heart, Derek walked toward the police station, his mind racing with worry. It had been a week since his daughter, Amber, had run away from home, and there hadn’t been a single sign of her since.
Despite the police’s efforts, no leads had surfaced, and it felt as though she had vanished into thin air.
For an entire week, Derek was consumed by relentless anxiety. Every moment was a struggle, as his fear for Amber robbed him of peace and kept him awake at night, unable to rest.
The police had tried to ease Derek’s worries, reassuring him that it was common for kids to run away and that Amber would likely return on her own. But deep down, Derek couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
He had always been incredibly close to Amber. After his ex-wife left when Amber was just two, Derek had been her sole caregiver, raising her with love and devotion. Their bond was unbreakable, and he knew in his heart that she wouldn’t just disappear without a reason.
After all these years, Derek still couldn’t fathom how his ex-wife had chosen another man over their daughter, never once reaching out to check on Amber. The thought of losing his daughter, the one constant in his life, was unbearable—she was his entire world.
With a heavy heart, Derek stepped into the police station, the cold air biting at his skin. He made his way to the desk where the officer handling Amber’s case was stationed, determined to push for answers, no matter what it took.
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As Derek approached the desk, the officer looked up and offered a sympathetic smile. Derek tried to keep his composure, extending his hand for a firm handshake.
“Officer, any news?” Derek asked, his voice tinged with worry.
The officer shook his head gently. “Derek, we’ll let you know as soon as we find out anything.”
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Derek let out a heavy sigh as he walked away from the officer’s desk, his heart sinking further. “A week has passed, and nothing at all,” he muttered, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on him.
“I know it’s hard,” the officer said gently, his voice soft in an attempt to comfort Derek. “But rest assured, the police are doing everything they can to find Amber.”
“I just… I worry about her,” Derek admitted, his eyes betraying the anxiety he felt deep inside.
“When a child disappears, we all worry,” the officer replied. “Staying at home is the best thing you can do right now—just in case she comes back.”
Derek nodded slowly, his mind swirling. “Okay, thanks,” he murmured, turning toward the door to leave.
Needing to clear his thoughts, Derek decided to drive home a longer route. His mind raced, the uncertainty overwhelming him. But then, something caught his eye—a homeless woman with a familiar-looking backpack.
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Derek’s heart skipped a beat. He squinted, recognizing the bag. That was Amber’s backpack! He approached the woman cautiously, trying to keep his composure.
“Excuse me,” he asked, his voice trembling, “Where did you get this backpack?”
The woman gripped it tightly, her voice sharp. “None of your damn business.”
“Please,” Derek urged, desperation creeping into his voice, “This is my daughter’s backpack. I’m begging you, where did you get it?”
The woman eyed him warily but relented, “I found it at the bus station. Some teenage girl left it behind.”
Derek felt a spark of hope. “Do you know where she was headed?”
The woman shot him a withering look. “Do I look like a detective to you?”
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Derek sighed, realizing further information wasn’t forthcoming. “Alright, could you just give it to me?” he asked, pulling out a $100 bill. “I’ll pay you.”
The woman’s eyes widened at the sight of the money. In a flash, she snatched the bill from his hand and shoved the backpack into his arms before turning quickly to walk away.
Derek sank onto a nearby bench, his hands shaking as he opened the backpack. Inside, there was nothing but a water bottle and a folded piece of paper. His heart raced as he unfolded the note, hoping for a clue. Written beneath an address were the words: “Hostess Family.”
He quickly typed the address into his phone and was stunned to discover it was in a different city—the same city where Amber and her friend had planned to attend a concert. His heart sank as he recalled forbidding Amber to go there.
A wave of regret washed over him. Could his refusal have driven her to run away? He didn’t have time to wait for the police to follow their own slow pace.
Determined, Derek made the decision to go to the address himself. He grabbed the backpack, headed to his car, and drove off with a growing sense of urgency.
On the way, he called Claire, Amber’s friend, hoping to get some answers. “Claire, you told me you and Amber weren’t going to the concert, right?” Derek’s voice was tight with anxiety.
Claire sounded confused. “Why would you think that? We didn’t go.”
“Then why does Amber’s backpack have an address for the city where the concert was? Claire, this is serious—she could be in danger!” Derek insisted.
Claire sighed deeply. “I didn’t want to get in trouble, but Amber insisted she was going. She made me promise not to tell anyone.”
Derek’s frustration boiled over. “You should have said something sooner! The police are looking for her, Claire.”
“I wanted to, but I was scared,” Claire admitted, her voice shaking. “I haven’t heard from her since she left.”
“Do you know where she is?” Derek pressed, hoping for any lead.
“No… I don’t. I’m sorry,” Claire said softly.
“Okay. Thanks,” Derek replied, hanging up with a growing sense of dread. Amber should have returned by now if she had gone to the concert, but she hadn’t. His fears deepened—something was wrong.
At last, Derek arrived at the address. He knocked urgently on the door, and a kind woman opened it, greeting him with a warm smile.
“I’m sorry to trouble you,” Derek said, trying to remain hopeful. “Is Amber here?”
The woman’s brow furrowed. “Amber? I don’t know anyone by that name.”
Derek explained, “A teenage girl was supposed to come stay with you a week ago.”
The woman nodded. “Yes, she was supposed to, but she never showed up.”
Derek’s heart sank. “You haven’t seen her at all?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“No, I’m sorry,” the woman replied, shaking her head.
“Thank you,” Derek muttered, struggling to hide his disappointment.
As the woman closed the door, Derek stood there for a moment, lost. Desperation filled him as he returned to his car, feeling as though the last lead had slipped away.
He sat in the car for a while, staring out the windshield, his mind racing with frustration. Just as he was about to start the engine, something unexpected caught his eye—Amber’s mother, Miranda, sitting in a café.
Derek’s heart skipped a beat. Could Amber have gone to her mother instead of the concert? It seemed unlikely, but he had to find out. Taking a deep breath, Derek walked over to Miranda’s table.
“Derek?” Miranda exclaimed, looking up in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“Has Amber been here recently?” Derek cut straight to the point.
Miranda hesitated, looking around nervously. “Why would she? No, she hasn’t.”
Derek’s tension grew. “A week ago, Amber ran away. She hasn’t been in contact with anyone since.”
Miranda’s face turned pale. “That’s awful,” she said, her tone flat.
Derek’s eyes caught sight of an inhaler on the table, and his heart stopped. It looked strikingly like Amber’s. Without thinking, he reached for it, ignoring Miranda’s protests.
“Where did you get this?” Derek demanded, his voice rising in anger.
Miranda stumbled back, panic in her eyes. “Derek, I can explain…”
“Explain what?!” Derek roared. “Where did you get this inhaler? This is Amber’s!”
Miranda swallowed hard. “Because she’s here,” she said, her voice shaking. “I was going to tell you. I promised her mother I’d take care of her after I signed the will.”
Derek’s mind raced. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why keep this from me?”
Miranda looked guilty but resolute. “Because I knew you wouldn’t approve. But once I’m her legal guardian, I was going to send her back home. She’s my only child, Derek. I needed her to stay with me.”
Before Derek could respond, Amber appeared in the doorway, her face streaked with tears.
“Amber!” Miranda whispered, stepping toward her. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
Amber, however, wasn’t listening. She turned and ran, and Derek, heart pounding, chased after her.
He found her on a bench, sobbing uncontrollably. His heart broke as he sat beside her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
“I’m so sorry, Amber,” Derek whispered.
Through her tears, Amber looked up. “I should have understood. I just wanted to be with her… but I was wrong.”
Derek gently brushed her hair from her face. “It’s okay. I just want you safe.”
Amber sniffled. “I didn’t want to make you worry, Dad. I’m sorry.”
Derek smiled through his tears. “You’re the best daughter in the world, Amber.”
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Amber hugged him tightly, feeling safe in his arms. As they stood up to leave, Derek couldn’t help but lighten the mood.
“But you’re grounded for two weeks,” he said with a small grin.
Amber gave him a slight smile. “Fair enough,” she said, feeling a little better as they walked together to the car.