Amanda Rollins silently walked down the long hallway. She was trying to be discrete that she was there. She stepped down and the floor creaked. She froze; listening for any signs that they knew she was there. When nothing happened, she continued.
"You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy,
When skies are gray.
You'll never know dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take, my sunshine away."
A girl's eery voice filled the hallway. Amanda walked slowly towards the room where the singing was coming from. She stepped into the doorway and saw a girl sitting on the floor with her back to the doorway.
"Miranda ?" Amanda called out, barely above a whisper. She walked forward and saw the fourteen year old holding a doll. Amanda shivered as Miranda brushed the dolls hair with her fingers.
"Miranda?" Amanda repeated at the girl and kneeled down next to her, "I'm detective Rollins. Don't worry, I'm here to help you sweetheart."
Amanda touched the girl's hand and she froze. She turned and looked at Amanda with fright in her eyes.
"You're going to get punished." She whispered. Amanda gasped as she saw a big gash on the side of Miranda's face.
"I need a bus to..." Amanda started talking to her sleeve microphone. She suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head and she fell to the floor. Her eyes threatened to close as she looked up to her assailant.
"Now it's your time to be punished, Detective." A man held a lamp in his hand. Amanda felt the blood seep out of her head as she passed out.
*******************************
Four days before
Lexie Hoffer walked into the club surrounded by her body guards. Loud music ran throughout the tiny room as people smashed together in a rhythmic beat. Some people sat near the stage, watching the singers.
"Mrs. Hoffer, do you see her?" Her oldest body guard looked around the room.
She scanned the stage and her eyes fell on a tiny girl singing into the microphone. She had pale skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes.
" I've located her, Ms. Hoffer."
She nodded slowly and watched as the girl shake her body in a way she couldn't begin to imagine.
"We will get her once the show stops." Another body guard informed her.
Lexie nodded and continued to watch her.
*********************************************
Miranda Hoffer smiled and bowed once the song ended. People , mainly men, were calling out to her in pure ecstasy. She walked off the stage and sighed happily.
"Where did you learn how to sing like that ?!" Her best friend, Holli, ran up to her backstage.
"My foster parents, before they died, taught me how to sing." Miranda smiled and walked into her dressing room.
"You know something weird?!" Her excited friend followed, "You sound exactly like that one famous singer lady, oh what's her name." She scrunched up her nose, "Lexie Hoffer? Do you think you're related?!"
"Holli, don't be dumb. I'm not related to her as cool as that would be. Plus , even if I was, why did she put me up for adoption?"
Before Holli could answer, someone came into the dressing room. "Beautiful, darling! Absolutely beautiful!" Her manager, Wes, smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you so much for everything again, Wes." She smiled brightly.
"Anything for my darling! You were the definition of perfection!" He gushed. Miranda smiled at his gayness.
"She was okay. Off tone really." Another girl walked into the room.
"Just leave her alone , Tiffany." Holli frowned.
"I don't like street homeless trash taking my show business." She sneered.
"Who you calling trash?!" Miranda got into Tiffany's face.
"You." She laughed and flipped her brunette hair over her shoulder, "You're not even worth the time." She walked out.
"Don't listen to her, my sweets." Wes hugged Miranda again.
"Thanks..." She mumbled and fidgeted with a comb on her dresser.
"Lexie Hoffer is here! She's asking for you!" A stage manger peeked her head into the room.
"Me? Why?" Miranda looked at Holli confused and she shrugged.
Miranda and Holli walked out into the crowd and men whistled at them. "Hey baby!"
They ignored the group of people and walked to a huge group in the back of the club. Lexi Hoffer sat on a couch, surrounded by her body guards. When she spotted Miranda, she stood up.
"Ms. Hoffer.." Miranda frowned and looked at the star.
"Can we have some time?" Lexie snapped at Holli. Holli gave Miranda a look and walked away.
"Miranda..." Lexie turned back to her and walked towards her. She stopped and touched Miranda's arm.
"Miranda. I'm your mom."