“It’s been twenty-four hours! That’s it! I’m not going to sit here and just wait for the police to find my daughter!” I was about to leave but Cameron stopped me.
“You can’t leave! All our men are looking for her. We are using almost all resources we have to find our daughter.”
“Then what do you want me to do?! Are you not worried that something could have or could happen to her even for just a second of us sitting her?!”
“I AM WORRIED AS FUCK!” I just wiped the tears that escaped from my eyes when Cameron yelled. “Do you think I’m not thinking that way?! I am, Savannah! Don’t act like you’re the only parent of Aviana! I am her father too! I am scared, terrified, that something unfortunate is happening to our daughter, but I’m just trying my best to stay strong for you and for her! I can’t let you go out because Jackson is also roaming around Casterdale! What if something bad happens to you? Will you let me find you and Aviana alone?! Aviana needs you and I can’t let you go missing or be in danger too.”
“You two should calm down. Stressing out won’t help,” mom said as she approaches us. “Here’s a cup of tea. Drink it first while it’s still warm.”
It’s been twenty-four hours but Aviana is still missing. I am sleepless because I just can’t sleep knowing that my precious daughter is in danger. What kind of mother would comfortably sleep when her daughter just got kidnaped?
“Any update?” asked by Stefano who just arrived.
“None, and it’s frustrating me!”
“What about your grandfather? What happened?” Mom asked. Deep inside, I’m sort of worried about that old man. I mean, I’m not that brutal or mean to say that he deserves it. He’s still a human after all. I just can’t worry about him at the moment.
“He’ll be back at the mansion tomorrow. A private nurse will accompany him.” I looked up when he spoke to me. “Are you okay?”
“Don’t ask me that question. Obviously, I am not.” Cameron’s father arrived which made me stand up.
“There’s still no news?” he asked. Cameron shook his head and he just tapped his son’s shoulder. He turned to me and pat my shoulder. “Don’t stress too much, it won’t be good for your health. We will find Aviana, at all cost. I promise you that.”
Suddenly, Clarisse came running towards me and handed me a paper.
“What is this?”
“There... There was a bird that flew to the window of my room! I saw that paper tied to his foot so I removed it because he was a poor bird! But it has your name!”
“Bird?”
“Yes! A black bird! But it’s gone now! It flew away after I untied the paper.”
“Okay, very good Clarisse. The bird will appreciate it. Go back to your room now.” Their mom brought Clarisse back to her room while Cameron approached me as I open the paper.
“Bird? A pigeon? What are we in the nineteenth century to use birds as a messenger? Cheez,” Sylvester said.
‘Warehouse’
That’s the only thing written in the paper.
“The warehouse where Jackson took me!” I was about to leave but Cameron stopped me.
“You’re not leaving.”
“No! Aviana must be there—”
“Savannah! Don’t be reckless! It could be a trap. They won’t give away the location that easily. I can’t let you go there.” He turned to Cassandra and said, “call our men and send the location to them. Tell them to make sure that their body cameras are operating and give us a live stream.”
I just sighed and surrendered. I anxiously walk around as I wait them to set the live stream for us. Minutes later, it started showing on the television.
[Hello? Sir? Ma’am? Can you hear me?]
“Yes, we can see and hear you clearly.”
[We just arrived at the location and we’re positioned ready to enter at your que.]
“Listen carefully,” Cameron said. “It could be a trap so be alert. If our daughter is there, make sure to take her immediately and safely. Evacuate safely too. Enter the premises now.”
We sit and watch the operation carefully. I feel so nervous and I feel like I’m also at the scene. I really hope Aviana is there. I want to hug her so badly now.
They are now inside the warehouse and I saw something from afar.
“There’s a stroller!” I said as I stand up. My heart keeps beating faster and faster while they slowly approach the stroller. My hands are starting to get cold and wet because of nervousness.
[Watchout for traps! Observe every step you make! Sir, I’m opening the stroller now.] As he does that, I feel like my heart would stop. He opened it and, [There’s a bomb! Evacuate!]
We can see them running away. There was a bomb inside the stroller. Suddenly, series of loud explosion happened.
“We lost the main camera!” Cassandra’s secretary said.
“Then go find another angle!” Cassandra shouted back.
“Now, you get why I can’t let you go there? What could have happened if you were there?” Cameron said to me.
I just sighed and sat back down as I lose strength on my knees. Why do they have to take my poor baby?! They could have taken me instead!
“Here’s another angle!” We all turned to the screen again as a new footage appeared. We can hear a groan. It looks like a lot got injured.
Loud gunshots started to be heard. We saw someone firing gun to the people who are down and injured on the ground. The camera angle is at the ground, assuming that the one who was wearing it is laying sideways.
A pair of foot started walking towards the camera. We are all silent anticipating on what would happen next. The man squatted down but we still can’t see his face. He pointed a gun on the camera.
[Madam was disappointed that you aren’t here. We could have handed you your baby, only if you came. Sadly, you didn’t. Wait for our next message to arrive.] The camera shut down after he fired his gun to it.
“See?! I should have gone there!” I yelled as I stand up.
“No! It was just right for you to stay here! Don’t believe in anything they say!”
“THEN WHAT SHOULD I BELIEVE?!” I breathed hardly because of anger. “Our daughter is in danger! I would do anything, and I mean anything, just to get her back! Do you understand?”
“What did I tell you?! Stop acting like you’re the only one who’s in pain! She’s my daughter too! But being reckless at this moment would only make things worst!”
“What if we’re late? What if it’s already late—”
“WE WON’T! We won’t be late, Savannah. We are doing our best to find our daughter. We can’t lose ourselves or else... or else we would have to see the worst. Do you understand?”