It's Monday morning, and the sun is shining. The environment still has a dew after effect from the absolute rain pouring the night before. Scott was currently getting ready for school, grabbing pencils and paper from his desk along with his textbooks.

He double checked his book bag nodding and smiling he finally had everything he needed for the day. After he was satisfied he left his room closing the door, and walking down his wooden staircase to downstairs.

Meeting both his mother and father, Alice wasn't down yet it took her a little while to get ready but in the meantime Scott got first dibs on his mom's famous pancakes.

He sat at the kitchen island when his father ruffled his hair. "Good morning Scott." He said.

"Morning dad, morning mom." Scott greeted back.

"Morning sweetie, remember your piano lessons are cancelled today, but Alice is getting picked up by Joyce for her swim meet so you'll have the house to yourself for a little while."

"Alright, sweet! Don't worry, I'm not gonna burn the house down or throw a party." He stated.

It was often a rare occasion Scott was able to have the house to himself his parents were always there or he had to babysit Alice while his mom and dad were out.

So when the opportunity arose he grasped it with all his might. Don't get it wrong, Scott loves his family. But he likes time to himself, without his parents on about him studying or Alice wanting to have tea parties with him.

Michael and Laura laughed, "We know that kiddo, we know you know the rules." Micheal said.

"Finish your breakfast baby, you don't wanna be late to school." Laura said.

Scott nodded and continued to finish eating his breakfast, Alice came downstairs dressed and ready with her book bag on her shoulders. "Good morning everyone!" She said with a smile on her face.

"Good morning sweetie, you gotta eat your breakfast and hurry up to get to school." Laura told her youngest.

After Scott finished his breakfast he headed towards the front door, texting Tyler who was a few houses away. They always rode their bikes to school together. He looked out the window, and saw Tyler walking up to the door. He opened it and greeted his best friend.

"Hey Tyler. Mom, Dad, I'm leaving!" Scott announced.

Before Scott left he grabbed his set of house keys and then Laura, Michael, and Alice bid their farewells to Scott. And now he was grabbing his bike out of his garage and riding with Tyler to school.
————————————————

"My parents said I could sleepover at your house this weekend by the way, and tonight I have the house to myself. Since Alice will be at her swim meet." Scott said with a smile on his face.

"Nice! Unfortunately, I've gotta babysit for my neighbor tonight. Guess we can't play Apex." Tyler said with a sigh.

"Wait, which neighbor are you babysitting for tonight?" He asked.

"Mrs. Watkins, I'm telling you man, she's evil! My parents asked me, at first I refused. But they said Mrs. Watkins would pay me thirty bucks!"

"You better save that money up for comic con and not spend it Tyler so help me."

Tyler exclaimed, "Don't worry dude, I'm saving every penny I own! We're going to get to comic con, then you'll be able to meet Daniel Ratcliffe and all will be fine!"

Scott laughed, "I'm not only going for him alright, I wanna meet Emma Watson too! She's super cool."

They continued the conversation and kept riding their bikes until the school came into view. They hooked their bikes to the bike rack, locking them with the padlocks and heading into the school.
————————————————

After Scott got out of school he left riding back home along with Tyler, who got home a few minutes later. Scott put up his bike and went to the front door unlocking it, and walking in, he went up to his room setting his book bag on the floor by his desk.

He grabbed his homework, setting it on his bed, going downstairs again getting an after school snack. He then went back upstairs and started his homework.

Hours passed by, he checked his clock and it was 7:30pm Alice's swim meet ended an hour and thirty minutes ago. So why wasn't she home? He thought.

He shook his head, She's probably at Joyce's house hanging out with her friend Marlie, she'll be home soon. He thought.

Another hour passed by, and neither Alice or his parents were home. Maybe mom and dad are picking her up? It shouldn't take four hours to get to the meet and pick Alice up.

Unless their parents are having long hour discussions about politics or some crap like that. Soon the front door opened. "Scott, Alice! We're home!" Michael called out.

Scott went downstairs, "Hey dad, hi mom." He greeted.

"Hey sweetheart, where's your sister?" Laura asked.

"I don't know, she hasn't come home yet. I thought you guys were picking her up." Scott said honestly.

"I'll call Joyce, Marlie probably begged for Alice to spend the night." Laura said, pulling out her phone dialing Joyce's number.

"Hey Joyce, is Alice with you?"

The two women kept talking and then said their goodbyes. "Joyce said Alice wasn't at the school pick-up line, but she was at school right? I mean a thirteen year old isn't going to skip classes, that's something a kid Scott's age would do!" Laura started to panic.

"Love stop, why don't we call everyone we know and if they don't know anything, then we'll call the police." Michael said.

Laura nodded, and they began calling a whole lot of people but with no luck no one knew where Alice was. Michael then grabbed his phone and dialed 9-1-1 making a missing persons report.

And in a few minutes officers were at their door, Scott had heard in his Tale of Sherlock Holmes book, you were supposed to wait twenty four hours before reporting someone as missing.

Alice wasn't the type of little kid to one day go wandering off she knows better, Scott knew her better than most people including their parents. I hope she's okay. He thought.
————————————————
The End of Chapter 1