Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

LILY

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I clutched the picture of my boys, my fingers trembling as I traced their faces. It was a snapshot I'd taken on their last birthday three of them smiling so brightly it was as if they lit up the entire room. The ache in my chest was unbearable. I missed them so damn much it hurt to even look at their picture.

When will they be found?

When will I get to hold them in my arms again?

My thoughts drifted back to the car and the hope I'd clung to-the dashboard camera. I'd assumed it would hold the answers, a clue, something. But no. I was told it was faulty and hadn't recorded anything.

The excuse felt flimsy, suspicious even. Something about it didn't sit right.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, forcing myself to think. Just as I exhaled, a sudden thought flashed through my mind: If the dashboard camera didn't capture anything, what about other cameras? Street cameras, traffic cameras, security cameras-surely one of them must have caught something.

Then there was Clover. He'd met a friend, someone who gave him that perfume. If he wasn't going to talk, maybe she would.

I sprang to my feet, grabbed my jacket, and raced out of the house. There was no time to waste.

My security followed closely behind as I hopped into the backseat, and I quickly gave him instructions on where to take me. The ride felt like it stretched on forever, but eventually, he pulled over at the same spot where Clover had stopped earlier.

I stepped out of the car, the cool breeze hitting my face. I slipped on my sunglasses to shield my eyes from the midday sun and began scanning the area, searching for any road cameras. But there was nothing. Not a single camera in sight.

Just as I was about to turn away in frustration, I noticed something across the street. The restaurant directly in front of me had a CCTV camera mounted outside. I froze, relief flooding over me.

I broke into laughter, unable to stop myself. The weight in my chest seemed to lift as the realization hit me this was progress, this was something, at least.

I couldn't help the tears that followed, joy mixed with disbelief rolling down my cheeks. But before I could gather myself, the security guard who'd driven me here approached, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay, ma'am?" he asked gently.

I glanced at him, still smiling as I wiped my eyes. "I'm fine," I assured him, though I could tell he was probably questioning my sanity at that moment. I hadn't said a word to anyone all day, and now here I was, laughing uncontrollably at nothing. "Come with me," I said, nodding toward the restaurant.

I was feeling a little underdressed for what was at stake. I took a deep breath, trying to

I maintained eye contact and steadied my voice. "I want

there was a professional coolness to her demeanor that made it clear she was used to handling requests like this. "How can we help you, ma'am?" she asked, her tone polite but distant. "I'm Lily Williams," I introduced myself, letting the name

camera outside," I continued.

at me as though she could feel my pain, her eyes reflecting a certain sympathy that I didn't need right

softly. It wasn't a comforting sound, though; it felt distant, like an apology for something

let her pity deter me. This was business. This was

any legal documents," she explained, her tone polite. "I think you should go back and return with the police. That way, we can

a cold knot in my stomach. The last thing I wanted was to bring the police into this. I

repeated. This wasn't the time for bureaucracy. I had a better offer to make, and

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but-"

no but,"

to flex

don't

down here, and don't waste any time. Make no mistake, I will meet with them, and

stood there in an unspoken standoff, neither of us willing to look away. The receptionist finally let out a reluctant sigh, breaking the silence. She reached for the landline and dialed a number, her voice polite yet strained as she spoke into the phone. "Sorry

"Sure, sir."

floor, second office by

heel and heading toward the elevator. The ride up felt longer than

I reached the fifth floor,

was already standing outside, waiting for me. The moment he caught sight

can we be of help to you, ma'am?" he asked, his voice friendly, though there

in this restaurant

processed what I had said. He was clearly trying to

of someone I met across