Chapter 54
Inside the police station, the officers just finished taking statements and were preparing to contact Alyssa’s Family One of them asked Serena, “Ma’am, do you know the girl’s father? Do you have any way of contacting him?”
Serena paused, caught off guard, then shook her head. “Tanly know the father’s name is Keith Branson, I don’t have any of his contact information.”
The officer gave her a slightly surprised look and continued, “Then what is your relationship with her father?”
It was only then that Serena realized that after all this time knowing Keith, she had never even asked for his phone number.
“We’re friends,” she said.
Alyssa reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a small wooden tag. She handed it to Serena
Serena took the bag and saw it neatly engraved with a string of numbers.
She passed it to the officer. “This is her dad’s phone number”
The officer examined the number and began dialing
The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered. “Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later.”
Theofficer tried again, yet he still got no answer Setting the phone down, the officer frowned and looked at Serena. “We’ll keep trying to reach her father: You guys are free to go. if there’s any update, we’ll contact you immediately.”
Kristy gave a small ned. “Thank you, officer.“”
Alyssa, however, clung tightly to Serena’s neck, her face buried deep in her shoulder, unwilling to lift her head.
Serena gently tried to move Alyssa into the seat beside her, but Alyssa only tightened her grip. Her body was still trembling, revealing the fear that was still coursing through her.
Just then, a female officer approached and crouched beside them, speaking softly. “Hi there, sweetheart. I’m a police officer. Can hold you for a moment?”
Alyssa tucked her head in deeper, clutching Serena’s clothes even harder, refusing to let go.
The officer tried again, but Alyssa only began to squirm, a low whimper building in her throat, Her distress grew quickly. H breathing grew shallow and panicked.
kflushed red, and her
Serena explained, “Officer, Alyssa has autism. She’s afraid of unfamiliar people and situations. She doesn’t do well in new environments”
Serena paused, then gently rubbed Alyssa’s back, speaking in a soothing voice, “Alyssa, it’s okay. This officer is very kind. She’s here to help. You’re sale, sweetheart!
But Alyssa only cried harder, her small frame shaking uncontrollably
Realizing the situation was more delicate than she’d thought, the officer gave Serena a small nod and stepped away.
Serena held Alyssa tighter. Her heart ached at the thought of leaving Alyssa here alone. Serena thought, ‘She must be terrifed. Everything here is strange to her. Aher what just happened, she shouldn’t be facing this alone!
Serena looked up at the officer again and asked, “Officer, is it possible for me to take Alyssa home with me for now? She’s extremely unsettled.”
Kristy turned to Serena, clearly surprised by the request. She hadn’t expected Serena to offer something like that, especially under such sensitive
Encumstances
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Chapter 54
The officer hesitated, looking conflicted, “That’s not really within protocol. We haven’t made contact with her father yet.”
Serena said, “I understand, but her condition is very specific. She’s on the autism spectrum, in a strange environment, it could only cause her to reass or become even more distressed.”
Seeing the officer’s hesitation, Serena added, “I can leave my passport with you if necessary. And I do know her father. If he contacts you, you can give him my address directly
The officer glanced at the sobbing girl in Serena’s arms, then at Serena’s anxious expression. Finally, he nodded. “Wright. But you need to guarantee the girl’s safety and remain reachable at all times.”
Serena replied, “Yes, of course. I promise.”
Serena and Kristy brought Alyssa back home. The moment they arrived at the apartment, Serena gently sat Alyssa down and began checkingAlyssa for any injuries.
As expected, there were a few bruises on Alyssa’s arm from being yanked too hard, along with some scrapes on her hands.
Serena carefully applied ointment to the wounds while soothing her.
AD
