CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

NICK WALKER ©

It was already past 4 p.m, and Mira still wasn’t back from school. Avery and I had already gone to her school to search for her, but there was no sign of her anywhere.

“We should go to the police station if we still can’t find her within the next hour,” Avery said as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

“I’m going there now,” I replied immediately and started walking away, unable to hide the panic in my voice.

“Nick, wait!” Avery called after me. “Maybe she’ll find her way home before then.”

“Mira is only seven, Avery!” I half-yelled as I turned to her. “She’s still a child.”

“I know,” she said quickly. “I know you’re scared right now, but let’s wait a little longer before we head to the station.”

I bit my lip and looked away.

Inside, I was already panicking badly. My mind kept running through different thoughts, and I didn’t even know where else to search.

Mira wasn’t the type to follow friends around or disappear without saying anything. Something like this had never happened before.

I had already called my manager to explain why I wouldn’t be coming to work tonight. At the moment, work was the last thing on my mind.

Suddenly, I heard the gate open and shut again.

Avery and I quickly stood up and rushed outside.

“Mira!” Avery shouted.

The moment I saw her standing there, relief hit me so hard that my eyes welled with tears.

Avery ran first and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Where have you been?” I snapped before I could stop myself. Mira looked at me and gave an awkward smile.

“I’m so sorry…” I cut her off immediately and grabbed her injured hand.

“What happened to your hand?” I asked in panic. “Where did you go? Why didn’t you call me? Avery and I searched everywhere for you! Do you know how worried we were?”

My voice came out louder this time.

“Nick,” Avery said gently, stepping between us. “Calm down first. She’s home now.” Mira quickly nodded behind Avery like she had found backup.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and let out a sigh.

“Are you okay? What happened to your hand?” Avery asked softly as she guided Mira into the house while I followed behind.

“Are you hungry? Or thirsty?” she added, but Mira shook her head.

“I’m fine. Actually, I’m full,” she said, rubbing her stomach with a small smile.

“And about my hand…” She lifted the bandaged wrist a little. “I tried helping an ungrateful classmate when a dog chased him. The dog turned to me and bit me instead.”

“What?” I grabbed her hand again to inspect it carefully.

“What were you thinking?” I scolded. “You should’ve called an adult for help instead of jumping in!”

She frowned.

“Wouldn’t that have taken too long?” she argued. “Besides, I regret helping him now. The boy ran away after the dog bit me.”

Then her face brightened instantly.

“But this uncle helped me.”

Avery and I exchanged looks. “Uncle?”

“Yeah!” Mira nodded excitedly. “He was nearby when it happened.”

“An uncle? Who’s this uncle?” I asked.

Mira froze, then she slowly slapped her forehead. “I didn’t even ask for his name.”

She blinked in disbelief at herself. “How did that not cross my mind?” she muttered.

“So what happened after that?” Avery asked curiously.

“He helped me and took me to the hospital,” Mira explained. “He paid the bills. And when they asked who he was, I told them he was my uncle… he actually said he was my brother on the form he filled.”

I stared at her in shock.

That was unlike Mira. She rarely got comfortable around people, especially strangers.

“Really?” I asked again, just to be sure.

She nodded without hesitation.

“He was really nice,” she said with a bright smile.

“He even took me to a restaurant to eat and paid for everything. I actually had fun with him today.”

“And you still didn’t ask for his name?” I asked in disbelief.

Before she could answer, my phone started ringing. It was Mira’s school teacher. I showed Avery the caller ID before picking up the call.

“Has she been found?” her teacher asked quickly.

“Yes. She got home not long ago,” I replied. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain tomorrow.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” she said with relief. “I’m glad she’s safe.”

I ended the call and turned back to them.

“Trust me, he was so handsome,” Mira said as she explained to Avery. “I didn’t even get the chance to tell him that.“

“He dropped me by the roadside over there, but I didn’t want him to know where I live, so I ran inside before he could step out of the car.”

“He’s a stranger. How were you so comfortable with him?” Avery asked.

“Well, he isn’t a stranger anymore,” she said simply.

I scoffed in disbelief.

“I wish I could meet him someday,” she added, folding her hands like she was making a wish.

I bent down and pulled her into a hug.

“Well, thanks to that uncle, you’re safe,” I said softly. “I’d like to meet him someday too.”

I gently patted her back. “I’m just glad you’re safe, Mira.”

She returned the pat. “I’m sorry for making you worry. Next time, I’ll try to call when something like this happens.”

I shook my head lightly.

“Something like this isn’t happening again,” I said firmly.

Mira frowned at me. “But I still want to meet the uncle next time.”

Avery suddenly burst out laughing.

“What's funny?” I asked, turning to her.

She tried to control her laughter. “Well… she really sounds like she wants to befriend a random uncle.”

I sighed and rubbed my face. Just then, my phone lit up with a message.

“This is Enzo. Why aren’t you at work? I’m curious.”

I frowned at the screen.

How did he even get my number?

“What is it? Is there a problem?” Avery asked, noticing my face.

“No,” I said quickly and locked my phone.

I ignored the message and turned back to the table. It was covered with assignment papers from the class.

Everyone including me had been busy working on them, making sure the assignment was ready before submitting them to me this evening.

My phone buzzed again.

Grayson:

Was the assignment handed to you? And are you ignoring my message?

I sighed before typing a reply.

Me:

Yes, sir. I’ve collected all the assignments. They’ll be submitted to you early tomorrow morning.

Almost immediately, another message came in.

Grayson:

Good boy. By the way, I didn’t properly apologize for yelling at you today. I feel bad about it.

My tense shoulders eased a little as I read his message. After a moment, I replied again.

Me:

How on earth did you get my number again?

Grayson:

From your colleague here at work. Save my number, Kid.

I scoffed in disbelief as I read the message again.

Then, after staring at the contact for a few seconds, I finally saved.

Professor Rude.