Sara extended her hand, waiting for Daniel to respond. At first, Daniel hesitated. His brow furrowed, uncertainty clouding his expression. He was used to being alone with his grief, the pain of his sister's disappearance gnawing at him, and yet, here she was—a journalist, an outsider—offering to help. Slowly, though reluctantly, he reached out and shook her hand.
"Daniel," he muttered quietly, his voice heavy with a mix of exhaustion and frustration.
Sara nodded. "I'm Sara. I know this is hard, but I have some questions, if you're willing to answer."
They stepped out of the police station, and Sara didn't waste any time. "So, Daniel," she began, trying to maintain a professional demeanor despite the tense situation, "what's been going on in this town? How many people have gone missing? Are they dead or alive?"
Daniel's eyes flickered with a sudden burst of anger. His jaw clenched as he stepped closer to her. "How would I know how many people are missing?" he snapped. "If I knew that, would I be standing in front of a useless police station? Are you an idiot? You came here to find out the truth, didn't you? Then why are you asking me these stupid questions?"
Sara was taken aback, the sting of his words catching her off guard. She didn't expect him to snap at her like that, but she kept her composure. "I'm just trying to do my job, Daniel," she said, her voice softer, though still firm. "I have to ask these questions to get the story right."
Daniel didn't respond, his mind still swirling with the frustrations of the situation. His mother, noticing the growing tension between them, gently tugged on his sleeve. "Daniel, come on," she said quietly. "Let's just go home."
Daniel exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging with the weight of his worries. He nodded to his mother, then looked at Sara. "This is our house," he said. "If you want to talk more, come back tomorrow. We need rest."
Sara nodded in understanding. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow."
As Daniel and his mother walked back to their house, Sara stayed behind for a moment, her thoughts racing. She had come here for a story, yes, but now, seeing the pain in Daniel's eyes, it was clear this was much more than just a headline. This was a man in the middle of a nightmare, trying to save his sister.
---
Later that evening, Daniel stood under the warm spray of the shower, his thoughts still heavy with the images of his sister, Chloe. Where are you? he wondered, clenching his fists as the water poured down on him. I promised I would find you.
After finishing his shower, Daniel wrapped a towel around his waist and walked into his room. He opened the window, hoping for some fresh air to clear his mind. But as his eyes adjusted to the dimming light, he saw a shadow moving outside. It was Sara, pacing in front of his house, looking lost in thought.
Daniel furrowed his brow. She didn't have anywhere to stay, and no one in this town seemed willing to offer her a room. The thought tugged at his conscience, and after a few moments of hesitation, he made up his mind.
He opened the window, calling out to her. "Sara! If you don't have a place to stay, you can stay here for the night."
Sara looked up in surprise. She had been walking, trying to clear her mind after the encounter with Daniel, when she saw him. She paused for a moment, then nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Daniel. I really appreciate it."
---
That night, Daniel lay in bed, tossing and turning. His mind wouldn't stop racing. He had promised Chloe that he would find her, but the mystery of Echo Falls seemed impossible to unravel. The weight of his responsibility pressed down on him as he drifted into an uneasy sleep.
His dreams were haunted by his sister's face, her eyes wide with fear. He heard her voice, distant and desperate, calling to him from the darkness.
"Daniel... help me."
The sound of her voice pierced through the fog of his sleep, and he shot upright in bed, his heart pounding in his chest. His breathing was shallow, and sweat clung to his skin as he tried to calm himself. It was just a nightmare, but it felt so real. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening.
In the morning, Daniel threw on his clothes and prepared to leave. He was done waiting for answers from the police—he was going to find the truth, no matter the cost. He had to. His sister's life was at stake.
As he grabbed his jacket and headed for the door, he saw Sara watching him from the yard, her notebook in hand. She was determined, too.
"I'm coming with you," she said, her voice firm.
Daniel hesitated for a moment. Part of him wanted to go alone, to handle it on his own terms. But then he thought about how much more he could accomplish with someone who understood what he was fighting for.
With a deep breath, he nodded. "Alright. But we do this my way. No more questions until we get some answers."
Sara smiled, her eyes reflecting the same determination that burned in his chest. "I'm in."
Together, they set off toward the police station once more. Daniel was ready. He wasn't just looking for his sister anymore—he was going to uncover the truth about Echo Falls, whatever it took.