Nine

Kai,

"Dakoda, have you heard anything from Stella today? I've been trying to reach her all day through calls and texts, but she hasn't responded, which is unusual. I know she had to testify against that terrible teacher who hurt her in court today, but that should be finished by now."

"No, now that you mention it, I haven't heard from my parents either. Hey... Mac, can you cover for me for a moment? I need to step outside and call my parents to make sure everything is alright."

I follow Dakoda outside and wait as she dials her parents' number. When they answer, Dakoda's face turns pale.

"Why didn't you call me?" Dakoda shouts.

"What's wrong, Dakoda?" I ask, concerned.

She looks at me with wide eyes. "Stella has disappeared."

"What do you mean, she's disappeared?"

Dakoda hangs up the phone and starts crying. "Why does this keep happening to her?"

"Let's go," I say to her.

"What?"

"Get in the car, Dakoda. We're driving to Washington