Have you ever felt that flood of panic at the thought of having lost something? It's that initial dropping of your stomach at the brief notion of nothing ever being the same again. I came across that feeling quite often due to having the memory span of a gold fish. For example coming home and not being able to find your phone. You think you've misplaced it somewhere, lost it for good, until you find it hidden in the back pocket of your jeans. That always happens to me and each and every time I'm revisited by the same sense of dread.

Those same toxic emotions were gripping at me ten fold. I hadn't lost a replaceable object this time. I had lost a person. And I had no idea where to find her.

"Can you stop pacing?" There was no falter in Lincoln's step. He proceeded to ignore me, only subjecting my stress levels to rise. Anxiously he continued to gnaw his fingertips raw as he repeated his rhythmic movements. His worries were being etched into the carpeted floor beneath him. I'd never witnessed Lincoln so troubled, not even before a big fight. Everything about him right now screamed pressure, reminding me he was nearing his limit. He wasn't able to hold back all of his inner turmoil anymore. It was being let loose, seeping from his pores, and effecting everything around him.

"Lincoln," I tried again in a softer tone. From my spot in his sofa I could no longer watch him silently batter himself. "Please calm down. Let's just call the police and have them—"

"And tell them what?" Lincoln raged; abruptly forcing himself to a stop. "That her father picked her up from daycare?"

"We'll tell them the truth! That he's an alcoholic, abusive, a threat to her safety—" I argued only to be cut off again.

"And what proof do we have?" The usual rasp in his voice had taken on a low, static tone. He was losing hope, just like his mother had. "There's no evidence, no former claims..."

"They can look into it."

"They won't do shit!" The volume of his voice had me flinching back into the couch cushions. "They did fuck all when they suspected it the first time around — when my mother lied to save that piece of shit's ass!" Aggressively Lincoln's hands pulled at his hair. His breathing was erratic, on the verge of hysterics. "Our last chance of freedom came and left that night he broke into my house while we were at the park. That was the only chance we had for police help."

Lincoln returned to his overbearing tempo of pacing. The sound of his socks brushing against the fibbers of the carpet was the only thing audible. I allowed myself to remain quiet for a little longer than I thought necessary, hoping Lincoln would calm down on his own.

With a deep breath and a silent promise not to agitate him more so than he already was I asked, "Are we going to tell your mom?"

"And have her back out of getting the fuck out of here? Not a chance."

"Then we have to find them ourselves, and fast."

Lincoln slowed to a stop. His gaze penetrated through the newly installed glass of the front window before he fell into the spot next to me. "Easier said than done. Don't you think I would have put an end to his miserable life already if I knew where to find him?"

"No." I responded, causing the boy to turn his head and look at me. "Because you're not like him. You're not a monster."

"You can't be so sure." With hard eyes his attention focused back on the blackened tv screen ahead. "The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree apparently."

Shuffling closer to him I burnt holes in the side of his face. "As far as I'm concerned you're as similar as an apple and a kumquat. You don't want to be anything like him, and because of that you won't be."

"It's moments like this I wish I was. Then maybe could figure out where the asshole's been hiding."

A pregnant pause filled the space between us, Lincoln still glaring into the flatscreen.

"Do you trust me?"

The simple question had him glancing back at me, confusion clear in his eyes. "What?"

"Do you trust me?" I repeated, hoping the answer would be positive.

Quietly Lincoln sat there searching my face for a more elaborate explanation. When he couldn't find one he relied. "Yes."

"Good." The smile that had been tugging on my lips while he'd be looking at me surfaced full-force. "Then I have just the brainiac to help us."

* * * * *

Reassuring Lincoln to intrust someone else with his secret was next to impossible. Then again, anything regarding Lincoln Pierce was made difficult. It was like he purposefully thrived to give everyone a hard time.

"You don't need to tell her the whole story!" I insisted for what felt like the hundredth time. "Just tell her enough so she can get a sense of where to start."

With his head still in his hands Lincoln muttered his reply. "You seem to have a lot of faith in your friend. That sperm donor could be anywhere."

"Which is why the faster you begin talking when she gets over here the faster we can start looking." I felt like a chastising teacher or parent with what I was doing. But sometimes a little push is what's needed to get things done.

Lincoln remained silent on the couch. It was now my turn to pace. I was just praying Harper wouldn't let me down. I highly doubt Lincoln would be okay with spilling the beans for nothing. Especially on a secret he's been keeping for years.

I was seconds away from reassuring him once more — more so to calm my own nerves — when a knocking came from the door. Darting for the front, Lincoln hot on my heels, I opened it expecting to see Harper's familiar red waves.

What I wasn't expecting was to see Ella and Andrew planking her.

"So this is the infamous Lincoln Pierce's home. Cozier than I was expecting. Smaller too." Ella briefly commented prior to barging in at first opportunity.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked, afraid of Lincoln's reaction to our unexpected guests. "I just called Harper." Andrew and Harper had followed Ella's lead, slipping past me and shedding their shoes.

"Did you really expect me not to tag along?" Ella questioned as if I knew nothing about her. Her curious eyes scanned over the staircase before she all together disappeared into the kitchen. "We were still all at school when you phoned her. I want in on whatever you two are hiding, and if it involves Silva's arrest... well, that's just a bonus."

Watching as Andrew made himself comfortable in the family room I replied, "And why do you think you'll find answers to whatever happened to Silva here?"

Like magic she reappeared around the corner, entering back into the foyer. "Rumour has it Lincoln had something to do with it. Everyone knows how much you two hated each other." Her eyes were firmly planted on the man in question. "Just how much is that by the way?"

"Ella, you're not going to find anything you can gossip about here."

Ella's glossed lips pouted in disappointment. "I had Harper drag me here for nothing then?"

Lincoln disregarded my blonde friend's need for high school scandals and swivelled to peer into the family room. "And what are you doing here?"

"Oh, what? So your best friend isn't allowed over anymore?" Andrew huffed dramatically, feet dangling over one side of the armchair.

When Lincoln refused to entertain his humour Andrew pressed on in a more believable direction. "Well, since someone didn't show up today I found a pair of new best pals. Isn't that right, Harp?"

Regardless of Andrew's bright, amiable grin Harper hardly batted a lash, "Negative."

The instantaneous drop of Andrew's expression almost had me snickering. I guess they weren't such best pals as of yet.

Averting my attention from Lincoln and Andrew's conversation I turned back to my make-shift detective. "Why didn't you come alone?"

"Primarily, you stated at no point that I was required to come unaccompanied. Secondarily, the both of them are comparable to a set of fleas on a wild hog; next to impossible to dispose of single handedly. As soon as each of them realized I was coming here there was no recovering."

Frustrated with the change in events I forced out an understanding nod. The only question now was if Lincoln would open up. One outsider was pushing his limits. Three might just be inconceivable.

Harper, taking notice in my stiff posture, opened up lines of conversation. "How can I be of service?"

Knowing we didn't have time to get rid of Andrew and Ella I began giving Harper the run down. "We need you to find someone."

"By when?"

"Now."

Squinting her gaze at me Harper came to her own conclusion. "It's fair to assume this is an emergency then. Why are the police not being involved if that's the case?"

"Because they can't be involved."

Lincoln's usual rasp had the hairs rising on the back of my neck. He was close, tone low — warning. He thought Harper would go to the police about this if we refused.

Turning a deaf ear to his tone Harper carried on with her suspicion. "I'm not being summoned to do anything illegal, am I?"

Shaking my head I banished her ill thoughts. "No." Drawing in a deep breath I pressed forward with my explanation. "Someone took Lincoln's baby sister."

A chorus of disbelief filled the air. Andrew flew from the single armchair, propelling himself back to where we stood. Even the overcurious Ella reappeared from dissecting every inch of the Pierce residence.

"Who?" Andrew barked, unsettled by the findings.

His short question was met with silence. Lincoln shielded himself with his stoney exterior, dark eyes, tense posture. He was getting ready to shut down.

While our three friends shifted their attention between the two of us I waited on Lincoln to speak up. This was his secret to tell, not mine. I just hoped he was ready to say it.

"Our sperm donor."

"Your father?" Andrew reiterated in surprise.

"He's not my father." Lincoln spat as if though the word itself left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"What can you tell me about him?" Harper asked without missing a beat. Andrew and Ella still seemed beyond confused, exchanging odd looks.

Lincoln's stare levelled with her. Determination shone bright behind his irises.

"What do you need to know?"

"Do you want me to locate your sister?" She asked.

"Yes."

Lifting her chin in the most authoritative way Harper spewed out Lincoln's worst nightmare. "Then tell me everything."

Lincoln huffed in defeat. He could no longer hide behind his secrets. Sadie's wellbeing was at stake here and he knew that better than anyone. When the tension in the front hall grew too much to bare I inched closer to Lincoln. In a hope to calm him my palm met his. It was warm, yet clammy, but that didn't deter me. Giving his hand a gentle squeeze I silently gave him what I knew he needed right now. Support.

"I don't know where to start." Lincoln admitted, sounding just the slightest bit lost.

Harper buried her hands in the baggy pockets of her cardigan. "Why is he such a threat to your sister?"

From my peripheral vision I could see Lincoln's jaw clench at the memories. "He's an abusive drunk. All he cares about in life is profit. He gambles. A lot. More so than anyone would consider healthy."

"Why did he take her?" Harper pressed, knowing he needed prompts to gather the information she needed.

"Payback. Scare tactic. I don't know." Lincoln rushed, starting to get aggravated.

"Payback for what?"

Taking a minute to breath Lincoln organized his thoughts. "After he left we thought we were rid of him for good. I thought so anyways. My mom was still hopeful he'd comeback to her a changed man. That he would get tired of drinking and gambling and have things go back to normal; before my grandfather died.

"Then one day a couple months down the road from when he left he did show up. For rent. It didn't start out like that at first. He would just come beg my mom for some money, promised he was on his way to millions. He used to say he was doing it for her. So they could have a better life. He would promise her that he'd quit. That he'd give up drinking, and gambling as soon as he hit it big. And she believed him. She still loved him. She gave into him. Until a few more months passed." Lincoln said, rubbing at his forehead with the back of his hand. "Then she started refusing him the money. That's when he started calling it rent. He used to say we owed him for even allowing us to still live here, with a roof over our heads. He used to threaten her, told her if she didn't pay monthly he'd kick us all out on our asses. He's been coming back like clockwork ever since."

"And she's continued to pay him?"

"Like I said. She's always had this messed up notion that he'd come back and be the man he used to be. Him having his shit in the basement doesn't help."

Harper's eyebrows furrowed together. "He still has his belongings here?"

"Just a bunch of car memorabilia... RC cars... old parts... stuff like that. It's free storage for him, why wouldn't he keep it here?"

"Has he..." Harper paused to word her sentence carefully, "afflicted harm onto your mother since he's left the house?"

"You mean beat her?" Lincoln reworded bluntly, hatred flaring. "Every time she even attempted to refuse."

"It's safe to assume they are not separated then."

Lincoln remained quiet.

"Did your mother ever file reports against him for domestic abuse in the past?"

"No."

Harper's tongue could be seen sliding along her upper set of teeth from under her lip. It was something she did often when she was processing information. "Have you ever tried going for help? To the authorities."

"Once. Never again."

Harper didn't push that topic. She didn't need to. She had all the information she needed on that subject. There was no concrete evidence that would stand strong in court.

"When was you sister taken?" She asked, her eye firmly planted on Lincoln's hard features.

"Earlier this afternoon. From her daycare."

"And they gave her over to him willingly?"

Lincoln rotated his shouldered to relieve some of the tension in his neck. "There was no reason not to. If my mother ever requested Sadie's own father not to have pickup authority it would have raised a red flag."

"And she was afraid of losing you two." Harper transformed the would-be-question into a statement. Slowly, but surely she was piecing the puzzle together and restoring my faith in finding Sadie.

Regardless of it not being a question Lincoln nodded in confirmation.

Harper's lips parted for more questioning but was cut short by a shrill ringing. With haste Lincoln removed his had from mine and dug for his phone, plunging into his jean pocket and yanking out the refurbished Blackberry. My heart stuttered at the thought of who it might be. When Lincoln's dark eyes locked with the minuscule screen the tension in his shoulders dissipated the tiniest amount.

"It's Phil." His voice held both relief and disappointment. "I'm going to take this. Hold on." The emotional exhaustion Lincoln felt was portrayed on his face as he escaped into the kitchen.

From the crowded hallway I could hear him answer the call as he usually would, with a quick and snarky inside joke. No matter how dire the situation talking to Philip always managed to make Lincoln feel better. In more ways than one the man stood in as a father figure when Lincoln needed one the most.

"Cali," Harper broke my train of thought. "Are you sure there's no way Lincoln will go to the police about this?"

Sombrely I shook my head. "He's afraid of losing the rest of what he has. They don't have much of a case against his father in the first place. Let alone the money for a half decent attorney."

Harper remained mute, absorbing all the new information.

"You're not hopeful we'll find her, are you?"

At my question Harper peered at me with her green speckled eyes. "I'll try. However, with knowing what I do about his father now, I don't know if we'll make it in time."

Quiet had once again engulfed us all. We needed to find Sadie and we needed to do it now.

It didn't take much longer for Lincoln to rejoin us in the foyer.

"What was that about?" I asked once he returned to his position next to me.

"Someone had been fiddling with my engine apparently. The fuse for my fuel pump was pulled."

Andrew and Lincoln exchanged looks while I tried to understand what that even meant.

"Well that's an odd thing to magically happen." His best friend admitted.

"Exactly why Phil called. He thinks it was Silva's last attempt at revenge before locking himself up."

"But Vikki's been at the shop this whole time. Silva can't be responsible for every single time she's broken down." I argued. "Wouldn't they have seen him around the shop if it had been him?"

"There's always a chance to sneak in after hours." Lincoln responded in return.

"Not unless he planned on scaling a twelve foot fence with barbed wire sat on the top. There's no way to get back there at night unless you go through the shop." Andrew reminded him. "And don't forget about Laika. They have her loose in the yard at night. That bitch isn't letting you anywhere close to the property after hours unless she knows you."

"I wouldn't put it past him. Silva wasn't the brightest of crayons in the box."

"Forget the baboon!" Harper interrupted, her eyes wide in realization. "Get your shoes back on. We're going to visit Vikki."