Derek’s heart was heavy with worry. It had been a week since Amber ran away from home, and no one had seen her since.
Despite a police effort, she seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Derek had found no peace all week. He couldn’t sleep, and every waking moment was filled with fear for his daughter.
The police had tried to reassure him, saying she would likely come back on her own, but Derek felt deep down that something was wrong.
He and Amber had always been very close. Derek had raised her alone after his ex-wife left them when Amber was just two years old.
Amber was everything Derek had, and he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. At the police station, the officer in charge offered a sympathetic smile but no new information.
“Derek, as soon as we know anything, we’ll inform you immediately,” the officer said. Derek sighed deeply. It had been a week, and there were still no leads.
To clear his head, Derek took a longer route home. His thoughts continued to revolve around Amber.
Suddenly, he saw a homeless woman carrying a familiar backpack. It was Amber’s backpack! Derek approached her, his voice trembling as he asked where she had gotten it.
“Found it at the bus station; some teenage girl left it behind,” she replied. With renewed hope, Derek retrieved the backpack, where he found a water bottle and a folded note inside.
It was an address with the words “Host Family” underneath. Realizing it was in another town, Derek drove there immediately.
When he arrived at the address, Derek knocked on the door and was met by a woman who confirmed that Amber had never arrived there. Feeling lost in the world, Derek decided to go back home.
As he drove, he saw his ex-wife Miranda at a café. Derek approached her, suspecting that Amber might have come to see her.
At first, Miranda denied knowing anything, but when Derek found Amber’s inhaler in her bag, she confessed. Amber had overheard everything, ran out, and Derek chased after her.
He found her crying on a bench, and they reconciled. “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to worry you,” Amber said. Derek hugged her tightly. “It’s okay. You just wanted to see your mom.
But you’re grounded for two weeks,” he added, trying to lighten the mood. Amber smiled, feeling safe and loved again.
