A Missing Key 218 Missed Calls One Family Secret novel Chapter 43

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I wandered the streets aimlessly.

It was late, and the wind was freezing, making the wound on my face throb with pain.

I had nowhere to go.

This city was so big, but there wasn’t a single place for me.

I found an abandoned construction site and curled up inside a concrete pipe.

I was exhausted and freezing.

I hugged my knees, half-asleep, when several men’s voices startled me awake.

They were homeless guys from the construction site, reeking of alcohol, looking at me with predatory eyes.

“Well, well, where’d this little girl come from? All alone?”

One man walked toward me, breathing disgusting alcohol fumes.

My heart raced as I grabbed a brick from nearby, watching them warily.

Seeing my defensive move, they laughed even more sleazily.

“Don’t be scared, little girl. We’ll take you somewhere fun.”

“Way more comfortable than staying here by yourself.”

They stepped closer and closer. I backed away frantically until my back hit the cold concrete pipe wall-nowhere

left to run.

In desperation, I suddenly remembered the dog tags Mom had given me.

She’d said if I ever faced real danger, just hold onto them.

I pressed the dog tags against my chest with all my strength and closed my eyes.

Just as their filthy hands were about to touch me, a blinding car headlight suddenly cut through the darkness.

A black SUV, like a silent beast, stopped nearby without a sound.

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A Mecing You 210 Missed Calle One Camily SeerSL

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Chapter 4

The homeless men jumped, cursing as they turned around.

“Who the hell-”

The car door opened, and a tall figure stood silhouetted against the light. I couldn’t see the face, but that commanding presence made the air itself freeze.

The homeless guys seemed to sense danger. They looked at each other and ran off, stumbling and scrambling.

I collapsed on the ground, shaking all over, the brick falling from my hand.

The figure walked toward me with steady steps.

I couldn’t see her face clearly, but that familiar scent-a mix of gunpowder and fresh grass-made tears stream down my face instantly.

It was Mom.

It was Mom’s smell.

She didn’t speak, just took off her camouflage jacket, draped it over me, then scooped me up and put me in the car.

The car drove smoothly. I curled up in the back seat, breathing in that familiar scent from the jacket, and all my grief and fear melted into relief.

I knew it-Mom had saved me.

The car finally stopped at my apartment complex.

She set me down, ruffled my hair, and said in a hoarse voice, “Go home.

Then she turned and disappeared into the night.

I dragged my exhausted body home, step by step.

When I opened the door, the living room was brightly lit.

Dad and Rebecca sat on the sofa, their faces grim.

Seeing me, Dad immediately rushed over and grabbed my arm.

“You actually came back? Where the hell were you all night? Are you trying to make us worry on purpose?”

Rebecca dabbed at her tears nearby. “Nora, if you’re upset about something, just tell me. Running away like this-your dad was going crazy with worry.”

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A Missing Key, 218 Missed Calls, One Family Secret

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pter 4

I looked at them and said clearly, “Mom saved me.”

“Making up stories about your mom rescuing you to get sympathy? Nora, are you so desperate for attention that you’ll tell lies like this now?”

Dad’s voice was full of disappointment and impatience.

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