"Thank you kindly, sir." Dylan smiles at the cab driver after we got out of the car. He takes our few bags of luggage in one hand while taking mine in his other.

I look at the airport that isn't crowded compared to its size, but there all still seem to be quite a number of people in there. I look up at Dylan when I feel his hand squeeze mine.

"Don't worry Casey. I promise to protect you." He smiles genuinely, starting to make his way into the airport. I follow suit, not wanting to be left alone out here.

We have to do a bunch of stupid things before we're able to sit down while waiting for the airplane to pick us up. A part of me is excited because I've never been on a plane before, but another part of me doesn't feel that way.

It is the same feeling I had when I used to walk into the classroom, to granny's house, and the whole time I was staying with Dylan.

"Are you two going on vacation?" A lady asks me sweetly as she sits down next to me. I widen my eyes and look over at Dylan who is sitting on my other side. He chuckles softly at my reaction.

He squeezes my shoulder, assuring me before answering the woman's question. "Yes, we are. Sorry, she isn't much of a talker." He grins at the woman who reciprocates his smile.

"She's cute. Is she yours?" She asks, but she doesn't even look at me. She has her gaze focused on his and he has his focused on hers. I'm pretty sure none of them would even notice if I walked away right now.

So that's what I do. I stand up and start walking in the direction of a store I saw earlier. That way I know the way back so I won't get lost and maybe I can talk to some stuffed animals I saw there earlier.

I walk up to a pink bear when I feel a hand on my shoulder. My heart sinks in my chest, thinking it is Dylan. When I turn around, I notice it's a kind-looking woman.

She flashes me a warm smile as she crouches down. "Hey there, are you lost?"

I think for a moment, am I lost? I kind of know where I am. I know where Dylan is, I know where I am going. So why do I feel lost?

Not knowing how to answer her question, I shrug my shoulders. The woman nods slowly, pursing her lips together. "Are you here by yourself?" She asks next.

I turn around not seeing Dylan anywhere. So I nod, I am alone.

"Do you want me to help you find your parents?" She inquires carefully.

I shake my head. My dad is in jail and both my moms don't want me, so I don't think it's a good idea to find them, even though I would really like to see Lizzie again.

She chuckles at my response, thinking again for a few moments. "Okay then, let me know if you need help alright." She smiles kindly, standing up and walking further into the store.

I take a last glance at the teddy bear before walking out of the store, making my way over to the next one. I stand in awe as I look at a huge TV screen in the shop window talking about some people.

A few seconds later, Scarlett appears on the screen. I jump up an down in excitement, pointing at the TV with a wide smile. Even though she isn't here, I feel a lot better seeing her.

I see the woman from before walk out of the store from the corner of my eye. She seems to notice me too since she walks up to me.

I point at Scarlett who is talking to the camera, but there is no sound so we can't hear what she's saying, which makes me kinda sad.

"Oh yeah now I get why you're all excited. The Scarlett Johansson." She smiles widely, looking at the screen as well.

I furrow my eyes when a picture of me appears on the screen seconds later. And another one. And another one. The jaw of the woman next to me drops as she gently drags me into the store.

She asks someone to turn up the volume and that person does so.

"Her name is Casey Olivia Rogers. If anyone has any information about her whereabouts, I'm begging you, please call the tip line below."

My wide smile slowly disappears as I can hear the sadness and desperation in Scarlett's voice. I'm the reason she's sad.

I tuck the sleeve of the woman who brought me into the store and she looks at me with wide eyes, unsure of what to do. I point to the screen displaying the phone number. She nods and dials the number.

A few moments after she has put down the phone, Dylan runs into the store, seemingly out of breath. He looks between me, the woman, the store employee and the television.

He sighs deeply as he stretches out his hand. "Come on Casey, our plane is leaving soon." He says, motioning for me to take his hand. I take a step forward, but realise that's not what I want. I don't want to go with him.

I want to get back to Lizzie. I know that's not a realistic option but maybe I can go back to Scarlett and Rose? I would like that very much.

"Casey, come on." He repeats a lot more sternly this time.

I slowly shake my head, closing myself and bracing myself for what's to come but it never does.

"Hey man, back off." The employee states, stepping in between me and Dylan. Dylan takes a step toward him but before he can try anything the police arrive.

It all happened fast after that. I got asked a lot of questions but didn't answer any of them. I also got taken to the hospital where they stabbed me with needles multiple times and I even had a full body examination which I didn't like, but it did earn me a beautiful bouncy ball.

A long car drive later the car stops in front of Grandma's house. The second the car stops, Grandma and my aunties run outside. One of the officers gets out of the car and leads them back inside, making me confused.

"Don't worry, they just need to talk about some adult stuff and then I'll bring you back to your family." The kind officer smiles through the rearview mirror. I nod slowly, suddenly feeling anxious.

I look out of the car window, thinking about everything that happened.

I recall the police officers dragging them away while Dylan kept shouting at me that he just wanted to keep me safe and that he was sorry.

I recall the look on Scarlett's face when she said that she needed help finding me.

I recall how Dylan was the only adult in town to make me feel safe and understood, even though I've never spoken a word to him.

He has never lied to me. Yes he has occasionally hurt me but he always apologized right after and I deserved it. I should have listened.

I sigh deeply, a part of me hoping that Dylan lied to me. I'd rather have that one of the few people I trust lied about everything instead of Lizzie being tired of me.

Unfortunately that was not the case.

When I got brought inside the house, Rose tackled me into a hug. Grandma helped me up from the floor, holding me tight before handing me over to Auntie Kate and Auntie Ashley.

But Lizzie was nowhere to be seen.

"Looking for your mom huh?" Auntie Ash asks while setting me onto her hip. I shrug, unsure of how to answer.

She smiles softly, moving some hair from my face. "She's just a bit tired Case. She'll be down in no time." She says softly with a weak smile.

I nod slowly, lowering my head to her neck in defeat.

"Come, let's get you something to eat and drink." Auntie Ash says sweetly while caressing my back.

I'm really hungry, really thirsty and really tired. But I don't feel like eating, drinking or sleeping. I don't feel like doing anything.

"Casey you have to eat something." Auntie Kate says after another hour of me sitting at the dinner table and not eating my food passes.

I shrug and look up from my plate, my eyes widening in shock.

Lizzie?

I keep looking at her, hoping that she'll run up to me, but instead she just mumbles something. "Why did nobody tell me?" She asks confused, keeping her eyes focused on me.

I watch grandma get up from her stool and slowly push Lizzie away from me. She tries to whisper in her ear but it's loud enough for me to hear. "Lizzie honey, maybe it's best if you go back to bed."

I try to fight back the tears as Lizzie looks away from me. I don't get it. I don't get what I did. Why she doesn't want me around anymore.

When I look up from my lap I notice Scarlett looking at me with a wide smile. Before even thinking about it, I jump from my stool and run into her arms.

I bury my head into her neck as I try to contain my sobs. I love Scar with all my heart, but I would've rather had for Lizzie to hold me. For her to be the one on the TV and for her to look happy when she saw me.

But I don't make her happy anymore.