Alana Albertson - Desiring Dorothy

My Uncle Henry vanished on my twenty-first birthday, along with my beloved pug, Toto.

The police have ruled his disappearance a suicide, but they never found a body or any trace of my dog.

But I refuse to accept their ruling because I saw a man enter Uncle Henrys house that night.

I travel to the end of the earth to track down the man only to discover hes a Navy SEAL. I soon realize Im in over my head and cant trust anyone around me.

A heartless SEAL, a simple farmer, a cowardly mafioso. But they are just the pawns in the wizards game.

This billionaire tech guru is the most powerful man in the world, and he is behind my uncles disappearance. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Unfortunately, he wants me.

H appy Birthday! my friends screamed at me as I walked away from the car. They had just taken me out on the town for my 21st birthday. Wed had the best night partying and doing shots, but my head was throbbing, and I wanted to go to sleep.

I blew kisses at my friends, who were sitting in the car waving at me. Their laughter filled the balmy night air. We were in the heart of tornado season, but, at least, for the night, the weather was calm and serene. What a perfect birthday.

Wait! my best friend, Alice, yelled out of the drivers side window. Ive got something for you.

Spinning around, wobbling a little, I picked my way across the grass to the gravel driveway where Alice and Wendy were giggling and singing to the music on the radio. I couldnt make out the song, though I thought I heard something about rainbows. My head was so woozy I couldnt be sure.

Alice leaned out the door, and I noticed our roommate, Katrina, had passed out snoring against the passengers side window, though I couldnt blame her. She mustve been exhausted after her dressage competition today.

I glanced at Wendy, who was normally super chill and lived with her head in the clouds. Shed been bubbly all night, but now she was quiet, and I realized she hadnt yelled Happy Birthday with the others. She was feverishly texting, her brow furrowed.

You okay? I asked Wendy.

Her dark hair cascaded across her face as shook her head. No, one of the boys escaped. Sorry, Dot, but I need to leave. I cant imagine him being out there lost.

My heart sank. I hope hes okay. Wendy had a heart of gold, taking care of all the kids in the group home she worked at. That was actually how we metshe was there when I was taken from my mother Willas house, before the courts gave my Aunt Glinda custody when I was eight.

Thats awful. Lets go now. Alice said, her expression concerned.

I was buzzed and my headache was intensifying, but I didnt want to abandon my friend. Need me to come with?

Wendy, ever the considerate one, said, No, thats okay. Its your birthday. Go home and hang out with your hot uncle. I dont want to be a buzz kill.

Ha. Well, my Uncle Henry was hot. Gorgeous, in fact. I pushed a few super inappropriate thoughts out of my head.

Youre not a buzz kill, I said. Text me later when you find the boy.

I will.

I gave Wendy a hug goodbye and turned my attention back to Alice. She shook her fist at me. Give me your hand.

I braced one on the door and giggled at myself. This isnt one of those dick-in-the-box jokes, is it?

Better than dick, she promised, and a rainbow of pills tumbled from her hand into mine.

I eyed the pills with a healthy dose of suspicion. Whats this?

My man gave them to me. Trust me, youll love them. She closed my hands around the pills and pushed me back out of the window. Now go. Happy twenty-first, sweetie. Well see you back home. Enjoy your weekend with your family.

She said the last with a bit of a wry smile. Thats one of the things that drew the four of us together. Our lack of American pie families. Hell, I didnt even know my father. The only thing I knew about him was that he was probably Mexican, considering the fact that I looked as Latina as they come, and my mother was as white as snow.

Maybe that was why my mother never liked me much growing up. I know people say that, but what kind of mother could leave their child alone for days at a time without a thought in the world for their well-being? My earliest memory was waking up and realizing I was alone in my own house and being terrified Id done something to scare my mother away. By the time they took me away from her, I was basically taking care of myselfwhich is what Ive been doing every day since.

On impulse, I leaned in the window and wrapped my arms around her neck. We couldnt be more oppositeAlice had pin-straight, white-blonde hair and an almost manic look in her eye, whereas my brunette curls couldnt be straight if they tried. I was also as sedate as they come.

Thank you, I said into her hair, breathing in the scent of pot smoke and Victorias Secret Bombshell perfume. Katrina was still passed out in the back seat; I wondered if she had taken any drugs. Alice was more into the drug scene at college than we were, more open to losing control. I would probably be too if I had a mother like hers. Well, technically I didbut at least I was lucky enough not to have anything to do with my mom anymore. Either way, I didnt plan on partaking in drugs, but Alice doled them out like candyit was how she showed affection.

Anytime. She then grinned wildly. Call me if you get into any trouble.

Like I would ever get into any trouble. Thank you for the wonderful birthday. Once I was certain my legs were steady, I lifted a hand and waved. See you Monday!

Music blared, and the car revved as Alice sped off down the long driveway of my Aunt Emmas farm, where I was staying for the weekend. I felt bad that I wasnt visiting Aunt Glinda, but she had recently moved an hour away. I spent most of my time at college, which was just a town over from Aunt Emmas farm, but it was nice to be in my hometown and visit from time to time.

Aunt Glinda never married, and my mother, Willa, was gone more often than not. When I was about eleven, Aunt Emma married a younger man named Henry. He was nice enough, though a bit mysterious, good looking for an older guy, and whip smart, which was all I really knew about him. I was grateful for their hospitality though, because with Glinda gone, I really had nowhere else to call home.

I pushed a hand through my tousled curls and stumbled my way to the front door. Maybe I did have a little too much to drink. I wouldnt have, but Alice insisted. It was my 21st after all. She even kept to drinking water all night so she could be the designated driver for my birthday. I was lucky to have such great friends.

The music of crickets filled my ear and the fragrance of sweet wildflowers tempted my nose. Above me, the sky was a blanket of brilliant stars.