D. Warner: Now, why do you think your child ran away?

Nathaniel: …

D. Warner: Sir?

Nathaniel: My wife. She treated Kaylee…pretty bad. They’ve had some trouble between them for years, but when Kay came home with a black eye Alyse lost it…

D. Warner: Lost it, how so?

Nathaniel: She…she’s been threatening to kick Kay out for months. It was always her go to in order to get Kaylee to cooperate. When Kay came home with the black eye, Alyse decided that Kay couldn’t be left home alone, like a child, and demanded that sh-they go to the gala. I don’t know what happened that night, just that Kay was gone in the morning.

D. Warner: Has Alyse said anything?

Nathaniel: Just that they argued about something “asinine, like always.” 

D. Warner: Sir, has your wife ever physically hurt Kaylee?

Nathaniel: No. Never. 

D. Warner: You’re certain? Certain that the black eye maybe wasn’t because-

Nathaniel: Allie would never lay a hand on either of our children! She just…she’s just misguided in what it means to be a “perfect family.”

D. Warner: I see. Last question. Does Kay have any friends that they’d go stay with. Hopefully they’re just crashing on a couch somewhere.

Nathaniel: Yuki Behr. Yuki’s their best friend. Although I always suspected that they might be dating. But that’s the only person Kay would stay with.

D. Warner: Well than, Mr. Hargrove, we have our starting point.

Nathaniel: My daught- uhh kid, went to my wife’s campaign gala two nights ago and I haven’t seen them since. I think they must have run out in the middle of the night and I’m…terrified what happened to my kid. What if sh- they got into some kind of trouble? What if my kid’s dead in an alley somewhere?! You have to find them!

D. Warner: I’m sorry to tell you this sir, but runaways are rarely found. If your…kid?…ran away in the night, it’s clear they didn’t want to be found or followed. But, we will of course try our best to find them. I’ll put out an APB to all the surrounding departments and make it clear that there’s possible endangerment of a minor. 

Nathaniel: That’s IT?! That’s all you’ll do? Just tell other departments to be on the look out? What kind of cop are you?! My kid is missing!

D. Warner: SIR. Please sit down. Why don’t you tell me about you kid? Maybe a detail on where they’d go to?

Windenburg P.D.

D. Warner: *humming* 

D. Warner: Well, I guess that’s quitting time

*footsteps*

Nathaniel: Excuse me Detective, the receptionist at the front desk pointed me this direction and-

D. Warner: *sigh* Alright, come in. What can I do for you sir?

After School, Friday

Kaylee: Whatcha get for number 27?

Yuki: Uhh, 38x+b.

Kaylee: F*ck…wait, no I’m right. It’s 64x+a.

Yuki: No you’re not! I’m the brains in this relationship *laughs*

Kaylee: *flirty* You take that back or you’re not getting any-

Nathaniel: Getting any what, Kay- Oh leaping llamas! What happened to your eye?!

Kaylee: …I got beat up by a cheerleader. 

Nathaniel: Oh my god, Kay baby come here. [hugs] Do you want me to sit down with the principal because-

Kaylee: No dad, I don’t want to make it any worse…I’m fine, I promise.

Yuki: *cough* Liar.

Kaylee: Shush ya face!!

Yuki: Anyway, I think we’re done with the math for now, feel like watching a movie, bab- Kay?

Kaylee: *whispers* Nice save, Yukes.

Alyse: This decor is…interesting.

Nathaniel: Allie, let the kids express themselves. 

Alyse: Should I tell you your son is ‘expressing’ himself by painting a mural on his wall?

Nathaniel: What? 

Nathaniel: I mean, that’s great! Get those creative juices flowing!

Nathaniel: The way you treat Kaylee is out of line.

Alyse: Nathaniel, I just want her to be a successful young lady. Why is that so bad?

Nathaniel: Because the way you’re doing it is by demeaning her and threatening her and being overall nasty! Your children are terrified of you and that doesn’t bother you? I talked to Kaylee last night, and your actions made her cry. Not to mention the fact that she thinks you hate her.

Alyse: She thinks I hate her?

Nathaniel: Yes! And you know what else, she asked me if we were getting a divorce.

Alyse: …What did you say?

Nathaniel: I said not yet.

Alyse: Good. Now, I understand I can be a bit harsh-

Nathaniel: Allie, I said ‘not yet,’ not no. And I don’t want to have to give you an ultimatum, but if you continue…abusing our child like this, then I am going to get the lawyers to draw up the papers.

Alyse: Nathaniel, you wouldn’t leave me…and abuse. I think you’re being a bit-

Nathaniel: Alyse, you’re always telling the rest of us what you expect, but now I’m going to tell you what I expect. I expect you to apologize to the kids. Especially Kaylee. The emotional and verbal abuse you’ve put her through, just for being who she is- I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if we woke up one day and she ran away.

Alyse: [voice breaking] Oh, Nathan. I’ve been awful. I’m so sorry.

Nathaniel: Allie, it’s going to be okay…

After a few minutes of quiet sniffling, something struck Nathaniel.

Nathaniel: You haven’t called me Nathan since before the kids were born. 

Alyse: And you still call me Allie…I love you.

Both:

Nathaniel: So, how was house hunting?

Alyse: I found the perfect place. It’s on the main land, so unfortunately we’ll lose the view, but i think it will work much better for us. There’s a pool, the main floor is open and spacious. It’s a heritage home, actually so the interior walls match the outside structure, but it really is beautiful. I already contacted the agent-

Nathaniel: Allie. We need to talk about last night. 

Nathaniel: Now, let’s take a deep breath and calm down a bit, m’kay?

*breathe in, breathe out*

Kaylee: Thanks Pops, I think I’m just gonna get ready for bed now. I have a killer head ache from all the banshee screams.

Nathaniel: [chuckles] Don’t call your mother a banshee Kay…at least not to her face. 😉