Chapter 5 - The Girl at the Bus Terminal
Lily called Ethan from a borrowed phone the following morning.
She was at the downtown bus terminal.
Marlene had told her they were leaving the city.
Lily had slipped away while Marlene bought tickets.
Ethan put the call on speaker.
Daniel heard traffic and a child trying not to sob.
“Lily, this is Ethan’s dad. Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Are you somewhere with staff?”
“By the ticket window.”
“Stay where people can see you. We’re getting help to you.”
Daniel contacted emergency services with the location. A transit
employee stayed with Lily until officers and a child-protection worker
arrived.
When Daniel reached the terminal, Lily sat wrapped in a donated
sweatshirt.
She looked even younger up close.
She did not run to him.
She looked at Ethan.
“You told.”
Ethan’s eyes filled.
“I was scared.”
Lily looked away.
Then she said, “He told me if I talked, Mom would never come back.”
“Who?” Daniel asked.
“The man with the car.”
May you like
She opened her backpack and took out a tiny brass key.
“Mom said this is why he wants me.”
