The Saving Love Collection

By Dawn Huskey

This collection of stories shows how love can save a person. Will they survive the attacks of the jealous and possessive? Will their relationships be intact when it is all said and done? They all discover how love works as they go through challenges. They feel immediate attraction when they finally find the love they have been searching for.
Please follow the lives of Michael and Marie in My Dream to My Nightmare. They are hunted by possession and diverted identity.

Katie and Travis as they fight jealousy in Love.
Sarah and Scott as they fight a stalker from the past in Loved Twice.
Seth and Jamie as they battle the dark past in The Love That Saved Me.
Dawn and Jason as they discover their friendship goes deeper in A Best Friends Love.
Tori and Ryan as the love they share is started by surprise in A Surprise Love.
Sean and Ashlee as they rekindle a forgotten attraction in Love in The Rain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781669800293

Dawn Huskey

My name is Dawn Huskey. I live in Pennsylvania with my loving husband. I have been happily married since 2003. I was in learning support classes all of my school years. I did not think I could do something like this. One night I just opened a word document and just started writing and the stories you just read is the result. I work as a transportation assistant and a school bus driver. I love to write, read, and spend time with family and friends. I hope you like the stories and there is more to come.

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 by Dawn Huskey.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 11/22/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

The Saving Love Collection

Dedication

MY DREAM TO MY NIGHTMARE

Introduction

Chapter 1 The First Years

Chapter 2 Present Day

Chapter 3 Three Years Later

Chapter 4 The Takedown

Chapter 5 The Aftermath

Chapter 6 The Birth

Chapter 7 The Unknown

Epilogue

LOVE

Chapter 1 The Start of a New Chapter

Chapter 2 The Fear

Chapter 3 The Special Day

Chapter 4 Waiting and Watching

Chapter 5 The Healing

Chapter 6 Moving On

Afterword

LOVED TWICE

Chapter 1 Facing the Lose

Chapter 2 The getting to Know You Stage

Chapter 3 The Perfect Day

Chapter 4 The Shock

Chapter 5 The Memories and the Reality

Chapter 6 The Second Chance

Chapter 7 Life Goes on

Chapter 8 The Struggle and the Triumph

Afterword

THE LOVE THAT SAVED ME

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Discovery

Chapter 2 The Support

Chapter 3 Heartbrake

Chapter 4 Life as We Know It

Chapter 5 The Aftermath

Afterword

A BEST FRIEND’S LOVE

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Changes

Chapter 2 The Waiting to See

Chapter 3 Protection and Love

Chapter 4 Find Away Out

Chapter 5 The Escape

Chapter 6 The Stress of Not Knowing and The Results

Afterword

A SURPRISE LOVE

Chapter 1 The New Life

Chapter 2 The Disbelief and the Butterflies

Chapter 3 Happiness

Chapter 4 The New Feeling of Love

Chapter 5 Claiming The Groom

Chapter 6 New Experiences

Chapter 7 The Thrill of Telling a Story

Chapter 8 The Excitement

Epilogue

LOVE IN THE RAIN

Chapter 1 Fate Finds Them

Chapter 2 Hiding in Comfort

Chapter 3 What Else Does Life Have

Chapter 4 Life Changing

Chapter 5 The Torture

Epilogue

Author Thanks

THE SAVING LOVE

COLLECTION

T his collection of stories shows how love can save a person. Will they survive the attacks of the jealous and possessive? Will their relationships be intact when it is all said and done? They all discover how love works as they go through challenges. They feel immediate attraction when they finally find the love they have been searching for.

Please follow the lives of Michael and Marie in My Dream to My Nightmare. They are haunted by possession and diverted identity.

Katie and Travis as they fight jealousy in Love.

Sarah and Scott as they fight a stalker from the past in Loved Twice.

Seth and Jamie as they battle the dark past in The Love That Saved Me.

Dawn and Jason as they discover their friendship goes deeper in A Best Friend’s Love.

Tori and Ryan as the love they share is started by surprise in A Surprise Love.

Sean and Ashlee as they rekindle a forgotten attraction in Love in the Rain.

DEDICATION

T o all those who believe love can change them. To the love of my life Michael Jason Huskey.

MY DREAM TO

MY NIGHTMARE

Dawn Huskey

INTRODUCTION

M y name is Michael, and my life is not what I wanted it to be. I was in high school when I met her. The love of my life and my very first and last girlfriend. We were married after graduating from high school. That was five years ago, but now my wife is missing, and I am going crazy. She has only been missing for two days now, and she is pregnant with our second child. My daughter is four, and she keeps asking for her mom. She looks like her a lot; and every time I look at her, I cry. I keep thinking about our nine-year life together and how much I miss her and can’t wait until she is back in my arms again. I know the police are on the case, and they are doing all that they can to find her. I have to keep my mind on her. If I don’t, I feel like I am going to lose her. So let me take you back to when we first met.

CHAPTER 1

The First Years

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

M ichael’s first year in high school and five months into it is when he sees her. He was carrying his lunch tray and did not realize he was staring at her so much that he bumped right into her and dumped what was left of his lunch on her. Shock and then realization crossed her face when her eyes locked on his. She immediately said I am sorry and started helping me clean up the tray. Michael said, "It is my fault. I could not stop looking at you. You are beautiful, and I want you in my life [in his mind, he said, Oh my god, I can’t believe I just said that out loud . What am I going to do now? ]. She smiled and said, My name is Marie. You are sweet. Do you dump your tray on every girl you met?"

He smiled and said, Only the beautiful one. My name is Michael. As he touched her hand, his heart skipped a beat. Michael couldn’t stop smiling. Can I walk you to your next class, Marie?

Sure, you can.

It was all over for him then. Michael declared that Marie would be my first and last girlfriend, and he knew from that point on that she would be his wife someday. No more searching, no more looking for the woman of his dreams. She is here finally. For the next five months, Michael proved it to her. She decided to give him her hand as my girlfriend a week after the tray incident. Once summer was upon them, and they were inseparable. If they were not together, they would be calling or texting each other. They met each other’s parents, and their parents started hanging out together. Michael even started to call her parents mom and dad; she did the same to his parents as well.

Over their high school years, Michael was protective of her and would not let anyone put her down. She was even hospitalized in their tenth grade when her head hit the goal post in her soccer game. Michael would not leave her side the whole time in the hospital. She had a concussion and was in a coma for three days. Michael would pace for most of the time and pray that she would be okay. He wanted her to wake up and see him there. He wanted to feel her arms around his neck as he kissed her. He wanted to see her sweet smile and hear her voice again. Those three days felt like three years. Finally, she opened her eyes and smiled when her eyes landed on him. Three days after that, she came home and was able to go back to school; but she could not play soccer for another month after, which lasted past the season.

Some kids did not like their relationship. Others did. They have a unique relationship. He doesn’t see many relationships like theirs around them. Their classmate would tease them. But they did not seem to care. Marie is white, and Michael is black. As Michael looks at her. Marie has beautiful long brown hair with waves that highlight her face. Her eyes are so full of life, and I drown in them every time I look at her. Her skin freckles when kissed by the sun. Her smile is enough to brighten up my mood when I feel down. Her smile also tells me things are going to be okay. She would call me her knight in shining armor.

Michael’s skin is light like milk chocolate. His hair is in braids that just touch my shoulders. She would say that Michael’s dimples make her smile, and my sport-like body is always hiding from her, (until our wedding night, but that part will come later), but she knew it’s there. I also play soccer, and I run track. I am also a weightlifter. She would also say that she gets lost in Michael’s deep-brown eyes. None of what kids are saying bothers him. The only opinions he care about are the ones from their best friends and family. Michael’s friends and family love Marie. Michael knows her friends and family love him.

Her best friend’s name is Rue, and they have been friends since birth basically. Michael’s best friend’s name is Ben. They have been friends since Michael moved into the neighborhood. Tenth grade, the group grew bigger by seven more people. They had become our best friends as well. We would hang out on the weekends; and as soon as summer hit, we all would become inseparable. Marie’s brother Greg and his two brothers, Steven, and Nick, became a part of that group as well. Marie and her brother are close, and she could not leave her little brother behind. Michael’s two little brothers got a long with Marie’s brother very well.

During their eleventh grade, a new girl started at their school, and she seemed attracted to Michael. That did not sit well with Marie. This attraction created a little rift in their relationship. She did anything and everything she could just to stay near Michael. Every time Marie would see Michael coming up the hallway, she would also see her walking near him or next to him. When Marie was not within eyeshot of Michael, Emily would make her move. She flirted with him, but he ignored it. She would ask for Michael’s number. He would not give it to her. Michael told her that he was off the market, but that did not faze her. She still came after him. Marie confronted her and warned her to stay away from him, but she did not listen. Emily would leave notes in his locker and stick around to see if he would read them. He would hand them to Marie, and Marie tore them up and put them in the trash.

One time, Emily followed Michael home and tried to allow herself in, but he barricaded her out with his brothers’ help. Emily got desperate one morning and walked up to Michael and planted a kiss right on his lips in front of Marie. His hands were in his pockets, and he tried to pull away, but she wrapped her arms around his head so that he could not get away. When she released him, Marie knocked her flat on her butt. When Emily got up, she punched Marie back; and the fight began. Michael desperately pried Emily off Marie; and once Emily released Marie, He moved to Marie and held her and moved her away from Emily as Emily punched at his back, trying to get to Marie.

Finally, Ben was between him and Emily, pushing her all the way to the principal’s office. Michael picked up Marie and rushed her to the nurse’s office. Her eyes, nose, and mouth were bleeding. Her face was starting to swell. He was concerned about Marie’s head because of her accident last year. Emily escaped with a black eye and a split lip.

Emily was suspended for two weeks, and Marie got two days. Emily’s parents were concerned that Marie’s parents were going to sue. They decided it was best to move Emily to an all-girls school. After a week, Marie’s face had only little evidence that something had happened at all. Marie’s head checked out to be okay! After that, people knew not to mess with me or Marie.

Their junior prom came around, and Michael was excited not to have to worry about asking anyone out because he had a date already. She took his breath away when he saw her as she walked down the steps in her purple short dress and her purple strappy shoes. Her dress came down to between her knee and her upper thigh. The skirt flared out a little. The dress also had crisscrossing straps on top of her chest, and it showed just a bit of cleavage. The dress had a little sparkle to it as light hit it. She was so beautiful in that dress. My eyes never left her the whole night. Michael thought to himself. Marie is mine, and I am hers. I can’t believe that she is still mine to this day.

PRESENT DAY

These are the thoughts going through Michael’s mind. Where is my wife? I am pacing again. I have not slept in two days. My parents and our friends are worried. They all have been at my house since I noticed she did not come back. I did not get a phone call yet demanding money. My wife just vanished. I pray that our three-month pregnancy is doing okay. Please, God, bring back my wife. Protect her until you can bring her back to me. Protect our baby inside of her. I will do anything to see her smile, to hear her laugh, to look in her beautiful eyes and drown in them once again.

Michael never thought of himself as an emotional person, but now it is hard to fight the emotions. It is hard to not be a puddle of a blabbering mess on the floor, but he just let it all go. Michael hits the floor and cries. Sobs came out like a swollen river. Savanna, Marie and Michael’s four-year-old daughter came over to him and wraps her tiny arms around his neck, and he wraps his arms around her tiny body. He held her as both of us cried. In her tiny voice, she said, Daddy, Mommy and the baby will come home. God will bring them home. Just you wait and see.

MAY 30, 2014

Their senior prom night was another night that took my breath away. Marie’s dress was floor length that had a split up her right leg that went up just past her knee. The top of the dress had spaghetti straps and scooped front that showed off a little more cleavage than her junior prom dress, and this dress was light blue. On the straps had sequence the length of the straps. That night, Michael had a plan that he prepared for all year. She had no idea that their parents and brothers were there. When Michael walked onstage, she thought he was going to announce our senior-class king and queen because he was the class president. She was shocked at the words that came out of his mouth.

Marie please join me onstage. She made her way up. I have loved you since first colliding with you. I knew right then that I wanted you in my life. What were the words you heard me say that day?

As Marie stepped up to the microphone, she said, You said that I was beautiful and that you wanted me in your life. As she was saying that Michael dropped to one knee and opened a box. She looked at him and smiled. Marie, please be in my life forever. Please do me the pleasure of being my wife. Will you marry me? Her tears were streaming down her cheeks, but they were not sad tears. They were tears of joy.

Yes, Michael, I would love and be honored you as your wife. He slipped the ring on, and the audience cheered and clapped. Their family rushed up and joined them onstage. Michael stepped to the microphone again to make another presentation. I now have the pleasure of announcing our senior-class king and queen. Please welcome onstage our 2014 queen Rue and her king Mike.

Thank you, Michael [as Rue and Mike made their way up], and congratulations. You better treat my best friend right, Rue warned Michael. Our family left, and we finished enjoying our senior prom.

Marie’s mind was going a mile a minute after the dance. I simply told her that everything was planned and ready for us. What do you mean that everything is ready for us?

I started this when our senior year started and enlisted the help of our moms. It just so happened that your mom knew where you kept your dream wedding book, and she pulled some ideas from it and placed it back in your room just how you left it. June 6 is our graduation, and June 21 is our wedding. All we would have to do now is get the marriage license and shop for your dress. All Marie could do was stare with shock and excitement at Michael. I wanted to be married before we go off to college so that we do not have to live with anyone else. We can start our college experience together, supporting each other. What do you think? I hope you are not mad! Please don’t be mad at me.

I am not mad. I am excited, and I cannot wait until I see what our mothers have done. I can’t believe that my mother knew where my wedding book was. I have to admit that I started that book when we first met. Now I am in shock and excited because Marie felt the same way I did when we first met. Wait a minute. You had this all planned out? How did you know I would have said yes? What would have happened if I said no?

I would have kept asking you until you said yes. I had plans for the second, the third, and if it was needed the fourth time. But thank you so much for saying yes the first time.

I could never turn you down. I knew when we met that it was going to be forever with you. You are my world, and you are the one I live for. No matter what happens in the future, you will be the reason I live.

Marie, you are the same for me. These past four years have been the most rewarding and the best years of my life, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.

JUNE 6, 2014

Marie was named valedictorian of their class, and after she spoke, Michael had to speak. They were able to present the 2014 graduating class along with their principal to their superintendent. It felt good being up there with her and then watching each other receive their diplomas. After the ceremony, both families gathered together and celebrated. They also ironed out some details on the event happening two weeks from now.

JUNE 21, 2014

The big day is finally here and Michael is nervous. He is hoping Marie likes everything that their moms did. At the church, Michael was staring out the window, enjoying the beauty of the day. He whispered to himself, God, thank you for today. Thank you for the beautiful woman you placed in my life. Please let me care for her the way you want me to. Thank you for keeping her life here with us. Our lives are in your hands.

Ben is by Michael’s side, walking up the aisle to await his bride. The aisle is lined with flowers and flowing fabric that he knows Marie would like. There are purple and white candles beautifully placed in areas around the room. The wait felt like an eternity. Finally, Rue comes down the aisle. She finds her spot in front, and the music starts Canon in D minor, Marie’s favorite. The doors open, a minute goes by, and the first thing Michael sees is her dad. Then he turns, and latched on his side was the most beautiful sight that he ever imagined: Marie in a white strapless dress with beads and diamonds on the top. The skirt touched the floor and contoured her legs with patterns of beads and diamonds that match the top. In her hand, she held a simple light-purple-and-white bouquet. On her head, she had a simple veil that hung from the back of her head with a little hairclip made with the same kind of flowers in her bouquet.

She looked at their parents, and her smile was even bigger. Her smile was shining as she locked her eyes on me. She was stunning, and she was walking down the aisle to meet me to be my wife. My mom caught me with tears rolling down my cheeks and a smile as big as Marie’s.

The pastor starts, and all I see is the beautiful woman standing in front of me, waiting to be released by her dad. Finally, Marie was released by her dad, and her beautiful hand filled mine. Her soft touch sent shivers up my spine. I listened contently, or so it seemed. My thoughts went to Marie standing here next to me, wanting to be mine forever. I cannot believe this was happening. My dream is coming true right before my eyes. When the pastor asks me, Do you, Michael, take this woman? I missed his cue. Marie had to nudge me back from my thoughts, and I finally said, I do!

Then when it was Marie’s turn. She says, I do.

Finally, the pastor says, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.

Everyone cheers and claps. I lead my beautiful bride out the doors to greet everyone as they come out.

CHAPTER 2

Present Day

M ichael is still sitting on the floor, holding his daughter; and his mother comes over to him and helps him up to his feet and guides him over to the couch. Do you want me to take her?

No, Mom, it’s okay. I want to hold her more. Plus, I think she has fallen asleep. It is taking all he has just to stay awake. Michael lays his head back, and five minutes later, he is asleep with his daughter still in his arms. Michael’s mom covers him up and watches him sleep like she did when he was a child. Marie’s mom, Michelle, comes out and sits with Sophia and asks, What do we do now? Michael should not be alone right now. Watching him go through this pain has to be tough on you.

Yes, it is. But not knowing where your daughter and our unborn grandchild is has to be tough on you.

Michelle grabs Sophia’s hand and says, We will get through this together.

THE DAY MARIE GOES MISSING (THROUGH MARIE’S EYES)

I am outside enjoying a beautiful day. I wonder up the street, smiling at the beauty. Michael was at the house occupied with Savanna while I take a break. I don’t have to work, but I help Michael with his assistant manager’s job. When he comes home with work, Michael, and I do it together. I enjoy my time with Savanna. I cannot wait to see how Savanna will interact with her new sibling. This is the last thought I had before I was hit from behind by something really hard. I wake up and find myself in a cage in a basement by myself. I search my pockets frantically and find that my phone is not in my pocket but on the wall just out of reach. It lights up as Michael is calling me. His name and picture are on the screen, pinned up to torture me. I hear the door open and someone coming down the steps. The person stops short of the only light in the room. Oh good, you are awake. I hope you are comfortable because you will be here for a while.

I plead with this shadow of a person, Please let me go. I am pregnant, and I need my husband.

That is so unfortunate because you made a big mistake years ago when you stopped me from enjoying my man. If I can’t have him, no one can.

I now recognize the voice, Emily!

You do remember me. Yes, that makes me proud. She steps into the light, and I see what the years has done to her. It seems the desire, stress, and planning aged her. I plan on bumping into Michael and taking him as my own, and you can have my leftover, which is upstairs cooking dinner.

Emily, please don’t do this. I am carrying Michael’s child.

When that child is born, the child will become mine.

Marie thinks quickly to protect her unborn child. If you take this child from me, Michael will know you have me, and he will come for me, and he will not be yours. He will be mine.

Fine, I will have my own baby with him. On second thought, I would not want anything that came from you. The child can stay here with you hidden away from Michael. Now I have to go watch my future husband and figure out the right time to bump into him. Goodbye for now.

Marie starts to cry, thinking to herself, What is going to happen to me? How are we going to get out of this? Oh, baby, Momma will figure out a way out of this. A man walks down the steps with a dinner plate in his hand. Miss, I will take care of you while she is gone. She is my wife. I wish she wasn’t, but if I tell anyone you are here, she will kill me. I am like you. I am her slave chained to this house, and the only phone is on the wall where I can’t reach. Luckily, for you, I am a doctor, and I can help with the baby.

Sir, what is your name?

My name is Richard, and your name is?

Marie. It is nice to meet you.

He slides the plate to me under my cage through the hole. I don’t know how many times I can get down here to you to give you food and water without her finding out, but I will do my best.

Thank you, Richard, for your care.

BACK TO THE PRESENT DAY (THROUGH MICHAEL’S EYES)

I wake up the next morning still on the couch and Savanna on my lap and sleeping away. My family is sleeping on the floor, in chairs, and couches. Police officers are on duty around the house, keeping watch over my family. I think to myself, Is this the way life will be from now on? I slowly sit up and move Savanna from his lap onto the now-empty spot I once was sitting, and I go into the kitchen and I grab something quick to eat and then head out front for some fresh air. I walk to the sidewalk to grab my paper and realizes the front page. What a beautiful picture of her, I touch the picture of my wife.

Then, out of nowhere, a person slams right into him, knocking him down to the ground. I am so sorry, sir. Let me help. Wait, Michael, is that you?

Yes, it is me. You should watch— As he spins around, he notices who had run into him literally knocking him to the ground. Emily! Hi.

Hi, Michael, I did not know you live here.

Marie and I have been here for almost two years now. When did you move in?

It has been a couple of weeks now. My husband and I love the neighborhood. She looked down at the paper Michael was holding. You said Marie. Is she your wife now?

Yes, she is. We were married a couple of weeks after graduation.

Emily gasped. I was looking at the paper this morning. Now I am putting two and two together. I am sorry to hear that about your wife. Does the police have any leads on where your wife is?

At this point, no. We are all holding on and hoping she is okay. Her daughter wants her mom back, and I am not sure how our unborn child is doing either.

Emily gasps again. She is pregnant also! Listen, if you need anything, here is my number. I will be happy to help any way I can.

Thank you, Emily. If you see anything, please don’t hesitate to call the police line listed in the paper.

Michael, before I go, can I get a picture of you? My husband won’t believe if I told him who I ran into if I did not show him proof. He went to high school with you.

Yes, sure, what is his name? Maybe I knew him?

She takes out her phone and clicks a couple of pictures. His name is Richard Stevens."

I remember Richard. How is he?

He is good. He is a doctor. I don’t get to see him a lot, but he is mine.

That is good to hear. I am glad you found someone. My daughter will be waking up right about now. I need to go make her breakfast. It was nice talking to you.

Yes, Michael, likewise. I guess we will be seeing each other around the neighborhood sometimes. I hope you will have a chance to meet up with Richard soon also.

Yes, that will be nice. Goodbye, Emily.

Goodbye, Michael.

Emily ran back in the direction she came from; and when she was out of sight, she cheered at her success. She ran back to her car and raced back to show Marie just how successful she was. She downloads the pictures she took of Michael onto a computer and hangs them all around her Michael’s room. Then she prints some for downstairs. Emily heads downstairs to Marie. So, Marie, here is my plan. For as long as Michael stays nice with me, you get to live. The more interaction I get with Michael, the more I let Richard take care of you. But the first rejection I get from Michael, I will come back here to hurt you. For now, I want to torture you with images of us hanging together. I want to see your pain as I talk to, be with, and comfort Michael, the same pain I felt when I had to watch you two flirt, kiss, and hug each other. I want you to experience the pain I felt. Emily throws the pictures at Marie. Emily felt satisfaction in the pained look on Marie’s face. Emily let out satisfied laugh and called up to Richard, Take care of our guest, will you?

Yes, my lady.

At that moment I watch as my phone lights up again with Michael’s picture and message. Before the screen goes black, I see the words I love you. I smile and I hold my hands over my heart.

Meanwhile back at Michael’s house. I am back in the house and I am welcomed by Savanna as she jumps into my arms. Daddy, I am hungry.

Really? I think I can hear that roar in your stomach. Oh yes, there it is again. What would you like me to make for you, my roaring princess?

I would like a bowl of Frosted Flakes please and a cup of chocolate milk.

Okay, coming right up, sweetheart.

Daddy!

Yes, dear!

I love you!

I love you more!

No, I love you more!

Michael smiles and hugs his daughter as he takes her into the kitchen. While he is making her breakfast, He is thinking, I need to take care of Savanna. I still need to provide for her and keep her safe. Marie would want me to take care of Savanna. I decided that I still need to work. I need to provide for Savanna even though my heart is not into working. I have to do what is best for Savanna. My mom’s footsteps interrupts my thought process as she walks into the kitchen and gives me a kiss on the cheek. Good morning, sweetheart.

Good morning, Mom. Mom, I’ve decided that I need to work so that I can still take care of Savanna because it is not going to do us any good if I just let myself go. I need to be strong for her. Please, can you guys watch her while I am at work and help her take her mind off this bad stuff?

Yes, darling, we will help you take care of her. Michelle and I have been talking about this, and I agree with you. You have a responsibility to your daughter, and right now, she needs you. We all will help you.

Thank you, Mom. He wraps his arms around in a hug. Then he turns to Savanna. How would you feel if Daddy goes to work today?

You will come back, right, Daddy? You promise to come back and not leave me after work?

Yes, Daddy promises that I will be right back after work. I will not leave you. Today and every day that Daddy goes to work, you will be with all four of your grandparents.

I will be hanging with Grammy, Pop, Grandma, and Pop-Pop! Yay!

I am glad you like the idea. Daddy is going to go get ready for work. I will be down to give you your special hug and kiss, okay?

Okay, Daddy.

As I go upstairs, I sent a text to Marie just to say I love you.

Michael is glad he works as an engineer just up the street from the house. If anything happens, it will take him just ten minutes to run back. He really does not want to leave Savanna, but he knows he has to. Marie would have wanted it this way. She would take comfort in knowing that Savanna is the first thing on his mind and that she is being cared for the way she needs to be. Michael hopes she is being cared for as well wherever she is.

Back where Marie is being kept. Marie picks up the pictures just thrown at her and start to cry. She misses her family, and she longs for Michael’s arms around her. The thoughts running through her mind, I close my eyes as I imagine our honeymoon and our first night together in our college apartment. I was studying business because I wanted to help Michael run one of his own. He studied engineering. He loves the detail that went into that. I imagine his arms around me and the way he makes me feel that I am the only one he sees. I look at his expression in the pictures. It is filled with pain and worry for me. I want to tell him that things will be okay, that I will be home soon some way somehow. I look up at my phone as it lights up again, and I see his picture come up on the screen. I know he is thinking about me and listening to my voice. I am hoping that somehow, they can track the phone to me, and I whispers, I am here. Please find me.

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As Michael was get ready for work, Michael promised himself that if Marie was not found anytime soon that he would record everything so that she would not miss a thing with Savanna. He picked up his phone. A thought ran through his mind, I have to hear her voice. He dialed her number. It rings, but her greeting answers, and he hears her voice. Michael leaves a message in hopes that she will be able to hear them. Then a thought—Michael breaks into a sprint down the steps to the charge officer. Brian, can you track Marie’s phone with just her phone number? Her phone remains active. When I called, it rang.

Yes, we will be able to if the signal is not blocked by something. Brian typed the phone number into the computer, and the program is searching the different areas on the map. Then it stops at one place. Michael’s heart skips a beat when it stops. Brian cues his mic and says, Possible hostage location, and he reads the address into the microphone; and he springs into action. As he was leaving, he says to me, I will let you know what we find. I decide one more day at home should do.

When Brian and his team get to the location, they find an old, abandoned building, and Brian’s heart sinks. He did not want to go in and see her lying there. He led the charge in, and all they found was a signal generator that mirrored Marie’s cell phone, sat there by Marie’s captors. With that is a picture of Marie in a cage. Brian cursed and threw his hat to the ground. Another dead end. A disappointed look on Brian’s face when he got back to my house sends me a shiver of despair. Brian then hands me the picture, and my heart hits the floor. Marie was asleep with her head against the side of the cage.

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Emily started to hang around Michael a lot. She was a helpful asset to have as the case went on. Emily asked Michael if I wanted to go to dinner with her. No, I am sorry, I can’t. I have to be with my daughter, and I have her mother to find.

Emily was thrilled that he did reject her because she has an opportunity to inflict a little pain on Marie. When Emily got back to the house, she ran downstairs, opened the gate, and punched Marie in the face. Marie punched her back. Marie was able to knock her down just enough to get out. But Emily grabbed her and twisted her ankle. Her ankle broke under the pressure. Marie dropped to the ground. Emily got up and locked the cage back up. That is for your husband rejecting me.

Emily walked back upstairs. Marie sat in pain, holding her ankle but laughing at the fact that Michael rejected her again. There were a couple more times that Emily came down to hurt Marie, and each time, Marie laughed in her face. My husband will reject you every time. Marie watched as her phone lit up again with the words Please stay with me. Fight for me. It was Michael’s way of speaking to Marie’s heart.

CHAPTER 3

Three Years Later

M ichael and Brian are the only ones working on this case in between Michael’s work hours and his time with Savanna. Each lead they will get ends up with a dead end. Emily has been really supportive for the past three years. She helps with the investigation all the while wallowing in her triumph. She is getting all the attention she needs from Michael. Emily enjoys the thrill of being rejected by Michael so that she can hurt Marie. Richard does the best he can when Marie is hurt. He wrapped her ankle when Emily broke it and gave her ice when Emily punched her face.

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