Page 137 of A Whole New Play

Sara’s entire body shakes with hatred. “You bitch.”

Metal glints in the sunlight coming in through the tall window on the far wall, but I don’t realize she holds a knife until it’s flying towards my face as she screeches, “FUCK YOU!”

43

CARTER

“Search party be advised.” The words crackle through the radio clipped on Officer Winston’s shoulder. The noise echoes around the empty locker room. We’ve been in here ever since I followed the man off the field, waiting for any news about my daughter.

The moment I was out of the crowd’s sight, I stripped out of my pads and jersey. I’ve been pacing the length of the locker room in my football pants and compression shirt, head spinning with endless questions and unfathomable fear.

I don’t know where Abby is. I don’t know if she’s safe. Dark possibilities of what’s happened to her make me sick to my stomach. The desire to punish anyone who hurts her rides me hard.

My cleats grind to a halt when I hear the next words that come through the radio, “We found Abigail Jones.”

Officer Winston is quick to respond. “Where?”

“Section 105 on the suite level.”

The officer and I lock eyes and then we’re rushing for the stairwell.

“Officers posted at stadium exits are to remain in place,” Officer Winston commands into the radio, taking two steps at a time to keep up with my hurried pace. “Searching officers, join me at section 105 of the suite level.”

“Roger that,” the original voice says. “Requesting medical personnel on scene, as well.”

I trip. My hands barely stop my fall before my face collides with the concrete step.

Medical personnel?

Fear and anger twist my organs. I’m not a violent person, but if my daughter is hurt, I will not rest until whoever is responsible pays.

We reach the suite level. Officer Winston pauses to catch his breath. I have the benefit of fatherly adrenaline and being in professional football shape to conceal whatever fatigue my body may be feeling.

I push through the stairwell door and run ahead of the officer when I see a large crowd gathered around a bathroom.

“Excuse me!” I bark as I push my way through the crowd. “I need to see my daughter.”

“Dad!”

Tears of relief spring in my eyes when I hear my daughter cry out my name.

I break through the last row of onlookers and kneel, catching Abby as she flings herself into my arms with a choked sob.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” she cries. “I didn’t realize she wasn’t nice. I thought she was going to take me down to see you.”

Abby’s rambling gives me pieces of the deception used to get her to leave the safety of the suite with my family. Speaking of family, I need to send them a text to let them know Abby’s been found.

Last I heard, my parents, Carlee, and Corey were doing their part to scour the stadium for Abby. But they can wait a minute or two. Right now, I refuse to let go of my daughter.

“It’s all right.” I hold her tight and slowly let all the fears of what could have happened fade from my mind, reassured by her small arms wrapped around my neck.

Remembering the request for medical help, I reluctantly lean back and look her over from head to toe. “Are you hurt?”

She shakes her head. Her eyes are red from crying. “No, but she hurt Valerie.”

My heart drops.

“What?”

---