Her daughter goes missing while on a trip, but 9 years later the mother sees the biker in a pub and notices a shocking detail./th

Mariella Carter sat across from Inspector Grayson in the small police station in Sierra Blanca, Texas. Her fingers trembled slightly as she placed the worn folder on the table.

Inside is an old missing person’s file on her daughter Olivia and faded photographs she’s kept with her for nine long years. “Thank you for seeing me, Inspector,” Mariella said, her voice even, even though her insides were clenching, “my daughter Olivia disappeared nine years ago. We were driving to Arizona to visit my sister. Stopped at a gas station in New Mexico.

Olivia went to the toilet and didn’t come back.” Grayson nodded, opening the folder. He glanced down the first page and became engrossed in the details of the old case. Mariella watched him, looking for signs of genuine interest, not just politeness. “She was sixteen,” she continued, touching one of the photographs where Olivia was smiling, her long hair falling over her shoulders, and her eyes were shining, “ fifteen minutes later I went after her, but she just disappeared. No witnesses, no signs of a struggle. Nothing”.   The

inspector flipped through the papers and looked at the woman: “You mentioned a recent sighting in that area?” “Yes,” Mariella leaned forward, “three weeks ago at a truck stop about 40 miles from here, a woman reported a girl similar in age and appearance. She looked confused. The man took her to the car before anyone could approach.

” Grayson raised an eyebrow, but Mariella noticed his shoulders relax. He had already mentally decided that this was another hopeless mother with illusions. But she was ready. “It’s not just about Olivia,” she said quietly, pulling out a second, fuller folder.

“Over nine years, I’ve found sixteen cases of missing girls—all similar.” Grayson looked interested, but quickly closed the folders and said softly, “Miss Carter, I respect your loyalty, but after so many years, it’s almost impossible to find anything new.” “What if at least one of them is still alive? What if my daughter is alive? — Mariella answered.

He handed her a business card: “This is my direct line. If anything specific comes up, call me.” She accepted the card, like dozens of others over the years, and left the station. Later, at a motel on the outskirts of town, Mariella checked into a room and laid both folders out on the bed.

She looked at the map with red dots of disappearances, scrolled through the records on her phone, reread the messages of witnesses. She had a little time before sunset, and she decided to go to the bar that was mentioned in one of the notes. The Red Cactus is a local pub popular with truckers and bikers. It was there, according to rumors, that the girl who was taken away by the motorcyclist was seen.

When Mariella entered, the bar was half full. Warm light, the smell of fried meat, music of the seventies. She ordered a burger and a soda and took a seat at the counter. About ten minutes passed before the doors swung open and a group of bikers walked inside. The people in the bar fell silent for a second, but then went back to their business.

One of those who entered – tall, powerful, with long hair and a beard – caught my eye. On his forearm is a tattoo of a woman’s face. Mariella swallowed hard. In the tattoo, the woman has eyes like Olivia’s, almost identical. “Who is this? “ she asked the bartender quietly, pointing at the man.

“It’s Grim,” he replied, wiping his glass, “one of the Desert Shadows.” Their base is somewhere outside the city.   The girl on his arm is Cassidy, his girl. Works in Moon Hell.” “Is this a club? — asked Mariella, pretending to just chat. “There are dances, private rooms. Everything is under cover.

   “ Outside the city, on the old road,” the bartender said. Mariella nodded, finished her soda and walked out, trying not to show her excitement. As soon as the bikers left the bar and rode off, she followed them at a safe distance. Her hands shook as she drove. Deep down, she already knew. Knew Cassidy was Olivia. Or all that’s left of it.

Mariella parked nearby in the shadow of a cliff, from where the entire perimeter was visible. Through the bushes and rocks she watched the motorcycles disappear behind the side gate. And suddenly – movement.  A female figure accompanied by a security guard. Mariella froze. Gait. Head tilt. Shoulders. She knew them. It was Olivia.

Aged, emaciated, but alive. Tears blurred her eyes. She pulled out her phone, took pictures, then with trembling fingers dialed Grayson’s number: “This is Mariella Carter. I found her. Olivia. She is alive.” Mariella heard the inspector fall silent.

Then – quick steps, the rustling of papers, the voice became clearer: “Where are you?” “I’m parked about a mile and a half south of Route 16, at a complex behind a building called Moon Hell. This is not just a club. This is a cover. There is a fenced area behind it. Women. Security. I saw her – she’s alive. And I took a photo of it. I’ll send it to you.” Mariella sent the coordinates and some photos. After a short pause, Grayson replied, “We were on the edge, Carter.

We suspected this club, but we had no confirmation. I ‘ll call headquarters. We will launch the operation. Just promise me you won’t come any closer. Wait for us. “Don’t take risks.” But she had already passed out. Changing into dark clothes, she entered through the main entrance, paying the guard. The music was thundering.

Women on stage. Clients in the semi-darkness. She tried not to stand out. But Grim’s gaze – that same biker whose tattoo reflected her daughter’s face – had already slid over her. He came up to me and looked at me inquiringly: “You’re not from around here.” “I work for an agency.

“I’m looking for something exclusive – special services for special clients,” the woman replied. “What kind of ‘special’ exactly?” — asked the biker. Mariella paused and then said, “blue eyes. Natural. One of my clients is obsessed with this. And on southern girls.” Grim tensed, but then nodded, “Let’s go. We will have a private showing. For the chosen ones.” He led her into the hall, a small auditorium with subdued lighting. Several men. Alcohol.

Scene. One after another, the girls, who were introduced under pseudonyms, came out to the soft music . And then she came out. Cassidy. But Mariella saw through the name, through the makeup, through the timid posture. It was her daughter, Olivia. She looked twenty-five, as she should have . The body is tense, the eyes are downcast, but the gait is as recognizable as a fingerprint.

Mariella almost screamed, but held back. When the show was over, Grimm came up again: “Well, were you impressed?” “Yes.   “ Especially the last one,” the woman replied. “It’s very expensive,” Grim replied. “I think we can come to an agreement,” Mariella replied and nodded, “But can I see her closer?” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. But before he said anything, a commotion was heard from the hall.

One of the clients had an argument with a security guard. Grimm cursed and ran to settle the conflict. Mariella took advantage of the opportunity. She slipped into the corridor, then into the restroom, and from there into the service part of the building. She opened the door and came face to face with Olivia.

“Mother?” — Olivia whispered, — “Is this… you? “Mariella gasped, “Yes, dear. It’s me. Everything is fine. We will get out.” This moment that had not happened for nine years. But it didn’t last long. The door swung open. It was Grim. In a rage, he grabbed Olivia. Mariella rushed. His fist hit her in the cheekbone.

Pain exploded in her head, but she heard a sound – a siren. Grim rushed to the control panel and shouted: “Load everyone into the car!” Burn everything you can! But it was too late. Special forces broke in. Later in the ambulance, Inspector Grayson held ice to Mariella’s cheek and said, ‘You were right. In everything.

We freed seventeen women. And they found records of dozens of others.” Olivia pressed herself against her mother’s shoulder. “I was afraid you’d stopped looking.” “Not for a day. “Not for a second,” Mariella replied. Dear viewers, what do you think about this story? Please tell us in the comments.