Miharu Studios

"What part of 'He's gone' don't you understand?" April cried. Sitting in Deputy Jeremiah’s office at 3 a.m. the day of her only sons birthday was not the way she imagined this day to go.

"April, I understand how distressed you are but I am merely trying to get a firm grip on what’s happening."

"Dad, stop acting all professional. Kyo is gone. Our son is gone. Your grandson is gone. Help us." Matt snapped as he held April's shaking body.

"Matt, how did this happen? Kyo is only five years old." Jeremiah asked as he rubbed his forehead with his aged fingers. Inside, his heart was shattered into pieces at the thought of his sons pain.

"I heard him start crying, but by the time I sat up his cries had stopped." April said gazing beyond and remembering the terrifying feeling of seeing her babies bed empty. "I went in to make sure he was okay and he was gone. He just disappeared. Oh Dad, what are we going to do now?"

"I'm going to call in a specialist, he's an old friend. I'll give him everything we have but we'll have to wait until he finds anything before we can take any other action. I know this hurts but you have to be strong. You have to have hope. Without hope, Kyo might never come back. Promise me you'll never give up. Promise me."

"I'll never stop until my baby is back in my arms," April's voice replied steadier as she looked up into Matt's eyes.

"Neither will I." Matt whispered before he set his forehead on April's.

"Yo, sweet cheeks wake up. You'll be late for school." Ty cooed as he gently shook April's shoulder.

"Go away Daddy. It's my birthday and I wanna sleep." April mumbled through the tangled mess of chestnut hair covering her face.

"Get up sweet cheeks. Just because you're fourteen doesn't mean you get to skip school. And if you don't hurry up and get your butt ready then I'm canceling your party..."

"I'm up. God, you're like a dictator." April complained as she pushed herself into a sitting position.

"Just remember that I am the dictator and you are my minion. Now do as I say or I'll have some beating to do."

"Ha. You wouldn't dare."

"Try me runt. Now get ready. Slave ship leaves in ten." Ty smiled as he kissed her forehead and went to grab his bag for work. The house still smelled like Mallory. His heart ached even though she had passed almost a year before. April looked so much like her...

"... slave master father, Hello! Earth to slave master! We're going to be late for my daily torture that you tell me is good for me. Let's go!"

"Sorry, lost my mind for a second." He smiled and ruffled her hair.

"Hey! Don't you have to have a mind to lose it?"

"Okay, smart one. Get in the car."

"Remember, everyone is coming over at Four. And don't forget to get my cake."

"Ya, ya. How many rats are coming over again?"

"24..."

"WHAT!"

"I love you Daddy."

"Oh, you're gonna play that card me. Never again. This is the one and only time. And I mean that."

"Score! You're the best! I'll see you after school?"

"I wouldn't miss you for the whole entire world. Have a great day baby girl."

"You too." She smile and kissed his cheek. From the safety of the school April watched her father pull out of the parking lot. He was so strong. He tried so hard to make everything normal for her and she was more grateful than anyone ever could be.

"April? Are you listening?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry Mel. What's up?"

"Is it all right if Matt and I hitch a ride with you tonight? My mom has to work until Seven."

"Who's Matt?"

"He's really cool. He lives in the park next to my house. He's home schooled."

"Oh. Yeah, that’s all right. Dad totally fell for the pitiful look in the car. You should have seen it. It was beautiful."

"So he's all in for the mass of us?"

"He gave it the big O.K."

"Sweet! What have you got today?"

"Crap, crap and more crap. You?"

"Same. I'll see you after school?"

"Of course! See ya later sista." April smiled as she wandered down the hall towards her locker.

* * * * *

"April, This is Matt. Matt, April." Melody stated as she stood in between her two childhood friends.

"Nice to meet you." April smiled and shook Matt's hand. He was cute. She had to admit it.

"Hey. Happy birthday." He smirked as he glanced her over.

"Thanks, and my face is up here." April replied and nicked his chin with her finger. He's cocky too. Figures.

"Sorry. I bet you're used to that kind of thing."

"What?"

"Being checked out."

"Actually no, I'm not."

"Really? Hmm... my good luck."

April gave Melody a look. "How are you two friends again?"

"I made her."

"Bull crap. I kicked his butt when we were five for trying to steal my tricycle and he's been following me ever since." Melody smirked.

"Lies. All lies." Matt laughed.

"April, over here!" Ty called from the corner.

"Dad this is Matt. Matt, my dad."

"Hello. How are you?" Matt asked as he shook Ty's hand.

"Fine thanks. Ready to go slave?"

"Yes master." April grinned.

"Did you have a good day?"

"Yeah, it was okay. How was your day at the palace?"

"You know, normal. Beating up slaves and eating tons of food."

"Figures. Must be nice to be dictator."

"It has its advantages."

"Did you remember to get my cake and all the food?"

"Yep. It's in the back."

"Really? I wanna see my cake!"

"Sorry. That’s not allowed."

"You suck."

"That’s my job baby."

"You guys rock!" Matt smiled. Both April and Ty jumped and remembered there were other people in the car. "I wish my dad was as cool as you."

"Thanks." Ty replied and glanced back at Matt. He looked like a good kid but he didn't like the looks he was giving his baby girl back at the school.

"See that's not possible. Ty took all the coolness for himself when April was born so April wouldn't like any other Dad," Melody smiled, "Or so he told us when we were seven."

"And you believed every word of it." Ty laughed.

"Yeah, well we also believed that Santa Claus was really married to the Toy's 'R' Us Giraffe." April poked Melody. "Remember?"

"Of course! We were so stupid."

"Still are." Ty mumbled.

"Hey!" They yelled back.

"Okay slaves, get the stuff out of the back and bring it in the house."

"Yes master."

"Your Dad's really awesome." Matt chuckled as he grabbed as many bags as he could carry.

"Yeah, he's great. I love him so much." April replied as she tried getting a look at her cake before Melody ran into the house with it.

"Do you guys live here alone?"

"Just us for a year now."

"What's that mean?"

"Mom passed away last year."

"Oh." Matt had no idea what it must feel like to lose someone so close. Then he asked softly, "How did it happen?"

"I don't wanna talk about it right now."

"That's okay. So who's coming to your party?"

Relieved at the change of subject, she smiled a little. "About 22 of my best friends."

"Sweet. Hey," He stopped and grabbed her arm.

"What is it?" April asked looking around.

"I just remembered I had to give you your present."

"Oh, well..." Her eyes went wide as he leaned in and kissed her gently. "Ah..."

"Happy birthday April."

She just stud there and stared into his big cerulean eyes with her mouth hanging slightly open.

"Hey gorgeous, did you vote for me?" Matt asked as he wrapped his arm around April's shoulders.

"Of course. Did you vote for me?" She smiled as she linked her arms around his side.

"Naw, I voted for Mel." He smirked at her protests. "I'm just kidding babe. You're the only girl I'd vote for."

"I bet you ten bucks I win el presidenté and you lose."

"Deal. You're going down."

"Kiss me you loser." She smiled and pulled him closer.

"I won't argue." He grinned and leaned in.

"Ah Hmm." Ty coughed. He had watched the exchange from his car.

"Sorry Daddy." April laughed as she looked at his cross face.

"Hey Mr. Summers. What’s up?" Matt smiled and held out his hand.

"Matt, how many times do I have to remind you not to put your hands on my Fifteen year old daughter?" He smirked even though he tried desperately not to.

"Oh, about four hundred more times."

"Is that all? Good, that shouldn't take to long."

"Daddy, stop harassing my boyfriend."

Ty cringed. "I wish you wouldn't call him that. You're to young."

"You're just to old."

"If I see you trying anything funny..."

"Don't worry, Mr. Summers. I wouldn't do that to April. We've got our whole lives in front of us."

"That's right. Don't rush into anything. Enjoy right now. You never know when something’s going to go wrong."

"Hello?"

"I've got your kid. So pretty he is."

"Please tell me what you want and what to do to get back my baby." April cried into the phone.

"I want you to suffer. I want you to pay for everything you took away from me. This should be my baby."
"What are you talking about? Please don't hurt Kyo!"

"Momma!" A tiny voice wailed in the background.

"KYO! Please tell me..." The click made her stop. "Hello?" She heard nothing but the dial tone.

"Oh Matt! Kyo was crying for me. My baby is crying for me."

"I know my love. We'll get him back. Soon." Matt replied as he fought back tears. His poor little boy was in trouble. And he couldn't help him.

"Daddy, what happened?" April asked as she looked worriedly over her father. The machine on the left was steadily beeping.

"Stroke." Ty fumbled out.

"Daddy..." April cried as she leaned over him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"Excuse me, Doctor. What's his condition?" Matt asked the doctor passing by the door.

"He's stable but he's completely paralyzed on the left side. We are watching him closely to make sure he doesn't have another stroke."

"Thanks." Matt sighed and walked back to April's side.

"Matt."

"Yes, Mr. Summers?"

"I know... what it’s like... to love someone... at such... a young age. Please take... good care... of my baby."

"Daddy, don't talk like that. You're scaring me."

"I love you April... I'm fading away... your mom... she's waiting for me... Be great brat... Be... good..." Ty sighed and closed his eyes. The monitor went still and the room filled with sirens. April's cries were only heard by Matt.

* * * * *

"And may God bless his eternal soul and grant him everlasting happiness in the land of paradise."

"Amen." The gathered crowd answered.

It was dark and wet in the cemetery. The sky poured down steady tears for Ty.

April had believed after her mother had passed away from cancer that it would be a long time before she had to come back to this cold and lonely place.

Matt had organized everything for her. She wasn't able to stop crying long enough to do it. She was grateful that he stuck by her. She knew he cared for Ty as much as she did. He and Melody stood on either side of her while they lowered the cedar casket into the ground. Behind her, all of her and Matt's friends stood in onyx to support her.

"Babe." Matt said gently as he turned to her. "April, look at me."

"Yes."

"I'm moving in with you. I don't want you to be there alone. I'll sleep in the guest bedroom and I'll drive us to school. Please let me do this for you." He said urgently as he looked into her swollen red eyes.

"Okay." She mumbled and hugged him.

"Shhh..." He whispered as he stroked her soaked hair.

"Matt, What am I supposed to do?"

"Keep living. Graduate. Go to College. Love me." He tipped her chin up. "Love me April."

"I've loved you since my fourteenth birthday when you were still just a cocky boy. Matt, we're Sixteen. We've got forever ahead of us. Please don't rush me."

"I won't. I all ready promised you and Ty that once and I'm not gonna break that. Trust me."

"I do."

"You broke my heart Matt. Now I'm breaking yours. How's it feel?"

"I don't know who you are or what I did to you. Please tell me where my son is." Matt tried to speak calmly into the phone.

"Your son is safe. For now."

"What do you want from me?"

I want you to remember back and figure out who I am. I want you to remember what you did to me and then I want you to suffer. I will call back soon to see what you've found."

"Wait! Let me speak to Kyo."

"Daddy!"

"Kyo... I'm trying so hard to get you back, please don't worry. We'll find you. I love you." Matt cried into the phone.

"I love you too, Da..."

"God Damn It!" Matt slammed down the phone. "Did you get a trace?"

"No. I'm sorry." Jeremiah sighed as he looked into his sons face.

"Dad, he was so scared. I'm so helpless. I can't find him."

"You're doing your best. Don't give up."

"I'm not. I'll never."

"Guess who was hitting on me today?"

"Who?"

"Helen."

"Helen Nelson?" April laughed. "What did you say to her?"

"That I'm in a happy relationship with this sexy senior girl."

"Hmm... I like that one."

"See, I'm just shrugging off women for you."

"Aren’t I lucky."

"Sure are."

"Nice English."

"Thanks. I pride myself in good linguistics."

"Oh, that’s a new one. Did you hear that one on Sesame Street?"

"No, it was Dora The Explora thank you very much."

"You're a goof."

"But you love me."

"Yeah, unfortunately." She smirked.

"Hey, Matt! Can I talk to you?" Brittney Kowaski called.

"Ahh... another women calls." He smiled and kissed April hard and long, divulging some cheers from the crowded hallway.

"Behave."

"I won't." He winked and strolled over to Brittney.

"So what's it like to date the most popular guy in school?" A voice from the crowd asked.

"Better then you could ever imagine."