Chapter 14 - The Night Noah Disappeared Again
The panic began at 7:12 p.m.
Noah wasn't in his bedroom.
Clara screamed his name.
Ethan ran upstairs.
Security searched the property.
Clara's old terror returned instantly.
“They took him.”
“No.”
“They took him again!”
Ethan held her shoulders.
“Clara, look at me.”
She couldn't breathe.
Then they heard giggling.
From beneath the bed.
Noah crawled out wearing a superhero cape.
“Surprise!”
Clara collapsed to her knees.
She pulled him against her so tightly he protested.
“Mommy, can't breathe.”
She loosened her arms.
Ethan sat beside them.
Noah realized something was wrong.
“I was hiding.”
“I know.”
“Are you mad?”
Clara kissed his forehead.
“No.”
That night she admitted what she had avoided.
“I need more help.”
Ethan nodded.
“I'll go with you.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“I need to learn that I can be okay without you rescuing me.”
Ethan understood.
“All right.”
She squeezed his hand.
“But you can drive me.”
May you like
He smiled.
“Deal.”
