Three months later the guys were busy as ever. Jafari was out of school and she still didn't speak. Her health problems were still under control. Brian, Kevin, and Howie lived together along with Jafari. She'd become intrested in music and was learning to play the drums. She read alot, and also wrote alot of songs and poetry. Brian and Jafari went out the exact week before her birthday. There was a carnival, and he'd surprised her. She was dressed in jeans and a white shirt. It was night by the time they went, so she wore her army jacket over it. When they arrived Brian immediately bought some cotton candy. It was a big stick of it, so they shared. She pulled some off and giggled as it disapeared in her mouth. She was allowed to eat a few things now, and she could also drink anything (that had been established when she had the sugery). Brian knew she was loosening up, she was already really relaxed with her life, she'd adjusted. She found intrests. Writing, dancing, playing her drums, and gymnastic classes all kept her life in balance. The gymnastics were paying off. She enjoyed it, and it kept her busy while Brian worked with the guys. The coach was nice, and saw a natural talent in Jafari. "Want to ride any rides?" he asked. She nodded, pointing to the carasoul. "Anything else?" he asked. She pointed to the swings and a small water ride. "Okay, I'll go buy some tickets and we'll go. Stay right here?" he asked, noticing a huge line at the ticket booth. She nodded. She'd become adjusted so that she didn't need to be by Brian's side 24/7. "I'll be right back." he said and rushed off. She eyed him, and when he made it to the line, she rushed off to watch a clown, telling herself she'd be back at her spot in a minute or two.
"Tommy?" "Tommy!" Brian called, she'd said she'd stay, but she was no where in sight. "Tommy!" he called again, this time emotion showed in his voice. Never had she done anything like this. "Tom--" He felt tugging and she was right there. He felt so relieved, yet so mad that she'd lied. "Never do that again!" he said, voice rising. She shuddered. "You just lied to me! You could have been kidnapped!" he cried, and she shuddered more. She was brought back to memories of the fights in the orphanage, memories of the verbal abuse, that always followed physical abuse. "Are you listening to me?" he asked. She didn't realise that she'd drifted off in her thoughts. She shook her head and ran away. Away from Brian, away from the carnival, away from the parking lot and into the street. She ran past the street, into some park, then past it and onto a residential area. It seemed like she'd run forever, when she realised she'd reached some alley. When had that happened? All she knew was that Brian had yelled at her, Brian had never done that before, and it scared her. She ran more, getting out of the alley and on a sidewalk. Where was she? She'd never seen this place before. Park Ave.? What was that? She'd never heard of it. Then it hit her. She'd run blindly, she'd shut her eyes and ran without thought. She'd ended up lost in an area she'd never layed eyes on. But she found it better than the place she'd left. Never had Brian been so mad, he'd never yelled at her. It had scared her so much, she had seriously thought he would hurt her. She pressed the button on the crosswalk, and crossed the street, acting like she knew where she was going.
"Her name is Jafari Littrell?" the officer asked. Brian nodded, "She answers to JJ and Tommy too." "Do you have a photo?" the officer asked. Kevin took the wallet Brian handed him and took the photo out of it. "Now once again, how did this happen?" "Well we were at the carnival, and I went to buy tickets. I left her right next to a concession stand and when I came back she was gone. But she showed up, and I guess the anger just got to me. She'd never lied before, so I yelled. Told her she could've been kidnapped, and then all of a sudden she was running. I took off after her but--" Brian looked down as more tears came. "Well right now, we cannot look for her. In the morning we can start, she must be gone at least one day before we search. I can just offer you one tip, check where you think she'd be. And in another eight to ten hours we'll be searching." "Thanks."
Email the author at SharkAttack89@hotmail.com
