Missing Home

"Hey mom" Lucia began. "We won the League again, that's five years in a row." The brown eyed girl shifted from foot to foot, bright flowers in her hands. "Amelia says hi... Actually I've been thinking if I should ask her? To you know..." Lucia's words trailed off. "I got a ring! Gold and diamond, like the one you suggested!" There was no answer. Not that Lucia was surprised by her mothers silence.

Time passed slowly as Lucia stood in front of her mother. She could feel the minutes ticking by. But she wasn't quite ready to leave. The sun shined in the cloudless sky as Lucia stood still.

Eventually Lucia decided to break the silence. "I miss you." Lucia whispered, her shoulders sagged as she placed the flowers on the ground. She took one last look at the stone, then walked away. Leaving the graveyard and walking into Amelia's waiting arms.

They got into the car and began driving down the winding roads, the radio playing some unimportant song to pass the time.

"You okay tiger?" Amelia asked gently as she shifted her gaze between Lucia and the road. 

Silence, Amelia glanced at Lucia from the corner of her eyes, worried by her silence. Without looking Amelia held out a handkerchief to the girl, who took it silently.

The winding country roads bored Amelia as they listened to the radio.

"Three children have gone missing in California. If you have any information please call..." The radio was shut off. Lucia's finger muting the machine.

The two said nothing. As they drove down the road, it began to rain. The droplets making a steady beat. Lost in thought neither noticed the bright light until it was too late.

Amelia slammed on the brakes and yanked at the steering wheel. Trying to avoid the light, but the flash was too much. Amelia shut her eyes and put her arm in front of Lucia as they skidded on the slippery road. But when Amelia opened her eyes, Lucia was gone. And an unfamiliar face sat in her car.