Forgotten ✓︎

Chapter 32

Jared

"So, what can you tell us?" Daniel asked his dad. 

Everyone was still here, even as night was falling. 

He swirled his drink, looking at it thoughtfully before answering. 

"Not much, unfortunately. The police are investigating, but as far as they're aware, this is an open and shut case. The man they caught was one of the men who had kidnapped Megan when she was younger," he explained. 

"How do they know for sure?" Megan's mom asked. 

"He confessed, and they were able to match his DNA to some they had found on the scene."

I stared at him, confused, but I didn't say anything. 

"No offense, but why are you here?" Annabeth asked, glaring at Megan's dad. 

"Oh, right. I didn't get a chance to tell you," Megan answered, grimacing. "Things are good here. Turns out my brain decided to mix things up, made me think he hurt me when he never did."

Michael and Annabeth stared at Megan, dumbfounded. 

"You forgot to tell your friends?" Daniel question. 

"I've been a little distracted!" Megan defended herself. 

Daniel shook his head in disbelief as our friends took in the new information. 

"I think we're all just glad you're okay," Zia spoke. 

Megan looked up at her and smiled. Then she seemed to freeze, her eyes widening. I felt her stiffen up next to me. 

"You good?" Daniel asked. 

"Yeah. Yeah, sorry. Pain," she laughed nervously. 

I looked at her in confusion but didn't say anything. I could ask later if she wanted to share. We weren't in a rush anymore. 

"How did you get there in time?" Michael questioned Megan's dad, finally coming back to his senses. 

"Megan called me," he answered. "I was already in the area because I was planning to come by the house to take Megan to dinner."

It was a lie, but he couldn't tell them the truth. 

"And the gun?" Annabeth questioned. 

He reached into his jacket and brought out a badge. "I work for the FBI. Service weapon."

Another lie. 

Annabeth and Michael ogled at him. 

"Well, I think that's enough questions for tonight. Shall we bring out the cake?" Megan's mom interrupted. 

"But we have so many more questions," Annabeth protested. 

"I love you guys, and I'm so happy you're here, but I'm exhausted. I don't have it in me to go over the whole thing tonight," Megan spoke apologetically. 

"Oh, we get it," Michael assured her. "We can ask when you're feeling better."

Megan nodded, though I felt her tightening her grip on my hand. I could understand the panic. We had kept Annabeth and Michael in the dark to protect them. Was it safe to tell them everything now? 

Some part of me knew it wasn't. 

Megan's mom brought out a giant chocolate cake, and my mom followed her with what looked like lemon poppyseed cupcakes. 

"To Megan and Jared. We're glad you're both okay and home safe and sound," Megan's mom offered. 

Everyone cheered to that, and we all dispersed for dessert.