[ WP ] `` You do n't get it . These people will swallow you WHOLE , and spit out the bones . And they 'll sit back and laugh while the people you love pick up your pieces . ''

`` You do n't get it. These people will swallow you WHOLE, and spit out the bones, and then they'll sit back and laugh while the people you love pick up your pieces.'' 
 
 The words echoed through Adam's mind. He knew what the detective said was true - and the detective knew that Adam felt this way, but continued nonetheless. Perhaps he could reinforce the idea with more `` tough love,'' or so he figured. 
 
 `` And you know what else? The press will eat it up! They'll send every journalist in the state and god knows where else, then next thing you know, they'll all be more concerned with'your story' than being sensitive to the actual investigation.'' Detective Miller said with an assertive tone. 
 
 Adam shook his head. `` Bullshit. The more people who know, the better. If the press hear about it, fine. I'm not going to sit around while faceless hacks search for my own daughter. My own god damn daughter. What kind of man does n't look for his own flesh and blood? I do n't care how many doors I have to knock on, how many toes I have to step on. I'll do it. The more people who know, the better.'' 
 
 `` The Bureau already knows about the case, and that's all that matters. We do n't need you going publ-'' 
 
 `` Oh yeah?'' 
 
 The detective could see Adam's face begin to turn red, and knew that he had angered him. He regretted the words the moment he spoke them. 
 
 `` If they are all that matters, then why have n't they contacted me? Why have n't I seen them around? Why the fuck have n't I seen them around, huh?'' 
 
 `` Mr. Kowalsk-'' 
 
 `` Do n't fucking interrupt me!'' By this time, Adam's raised voice and passionate ranting had garnered the attention of the entire station, whom he then turned to face. 
 
 `` Go ahead! Say it! Say it's fucking hopeless!'' The room remained silent, all eyes focused on him. 
 
 `` You have nothing.. that's all you've got. Nothing. I fucking know it! I know I'll never see her again...'' His eyes perused the room and gradually shifted until they were focused on the photo of his daughter on the detective's desk. He could only look at it for a brief moment, and a single tear rolled down his cheek as he did so. The detective noticed this and spoke, having changed his tone to a softer, more sympathetic one. 
 
 `` That's not true, Mr. Kowalski - Adam. I've dedicated all of my time to this case. We all have. We WILL find her. This might be a small department, but it's also a small town. Small towns do n't keep secrets.'' 
 
 Adam glared at the detective, staring at him with his bloodshot, weary eyes and wrinkled face. 
 
 `` There's no secret, detective. My daughter is dead.'' After proceeding to put on his coat and head for the door, Adam turned to face the detective and spoke for one last time. 
 
 `` At least... knowing what I do about the men who do these horrible things, I hope she's dead. God... if one of them.. one of them got her, than I pray they've killed her by now.'' He then quickly turned and left, not wanting anyone in the station to see the tears as they streamed down his face. The detective glanced at the nearby 911 operator before turning back to the photo of Adam's daughter, staring at it for a good, long time. 
 
 `` Where are you, Hannah?'' He asked to himself, quietly. 
 
 -- -- 
 
 14 miles away, in the parking lot of Jake's Diner, located near a turn-off for US Route 331, sat a white 1986 Chevy Van with Florida plates. It would sit there for another 2 weeks before being noticed by the diner's manager, and eventually towed away. It would n't be long, perhaps a year or so, before it went into impound after being unclaimed and eventually destroyed. What nobody knew was that when that van was destroyed, so was the only key to unlock a mystery that would haunt that small Alabama family for years. When that van was destroyed, so was everything in it. Every little spec of dust, every little dried blood stain. How could they have known? 
 
 They'd never find Hannah. She had her whole life ahead of her. And one sunny, 1994 summer day in that small town, in the blink of an eye, someone stole it all from her. 

