The tour guide arrived later holding a plastic of coffee at the alleyway to find Nalani missing.He called out to her but no response came from anywhere. A look of worry and panic filled his face when he saw the camera that Nalani was holding and using earlier laid abandoned on the ground.
This was bad news. Something must've happened to Nalani. Overwhelmed with fear, he quickly took out his phone and called Assistant Aaron informing him that the lady has gone missing. Aaron was driving Davian back when he received the call.
"What did you say?" He inadvertently pressed on the brakes, causing the car to screech to a sudden halt. His expression sank at the news as he looked nervously at his boss sitting at the back seat with his eyes closed.
"What is it?" Davian asked calmly, slowly opening his dark, bottomless eyes to stare back at Aaron. Aaron swallowed his saliva, nervously adjusted his spectacles and said in a trembling voice, "Boss, Miss has disappeared"
"What did you say?" Davian asked sharply, his expression growing fierce and dangerous.
"It seems like someone has taken Miss away while she was out". Davian's jaws clenched tightly as his eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Find her. Even if you have to turn this place inside out, find her quickly. Use every resource available
". He ordered.
"I'm on it Boss" Aaron nodded.
The sun finished its day's work and night finally arrived.
Janice placed her sleeping baby in the cradle, her gaze filled with adoration and love as she stared at the sleeping angel. She went to the kitchen where her mother Mrs Griffiths was preparing dinner with her little helpful granddaughter.
"Mama, I'm going out to visit my husband's said quietly. Mrs Griffiths turned to look at her daughter with a disapproving gaze, "You just gave birth yesterday. You're too weak to go out. Return to bed to rest" Janice bite down on a lip, feeling reluctant to obey her mother's words.
She haven't seen her man for some time now and she wants to go see him today. Mostly because she missed him so much. She didn't say anything but stood rooted at the spot with her head hanging low. Seeing her daughter's hopeless situation, Mrs Griffiths sighed and waved her hand for her to leave. Janice's face lit up with joy, smiling brightly.
"Don't keep long and if those two witches try to give you a tough time, you better not hide it and keep silent. Come and tell me, I'll teach them a lesson" Mrs Griffiths warned. Janice nodded. Mrs Griffiths handed a basket of food to give to her son-in-law.
Although her daughter married into that crappy family but her son-in-law is a good boy. After kissing her little girl goodbye, she walked out of the house, holding a small torchlight to illuminate her path on the dark road. Her heart filled with joy and anticipation.
On the other hand, in the few hours that has passed by with no news of Nalani's whereabouts, Davian's eyes were bloodshot red, his face cold and ruthless.
"Boss, I'm sorry but we still haven't found out the Miss whereabouts" Aaron apologized, his eyes full of anxiety.
"Is that person still here?" Davian asked, his eyes staring fixated at the bright moon shining above.
"Yes. He...he is still around. I have my men followed him in secret to check if there were any suspicious movements from his end but they found nothing " Aaron answered nervously.
"Aaron, did l not hide her well?" Davian asked, his voice shaky, betraying his true emotion.
"Boss shouldn't blame himself. Please wait a little longer, we'll surely find her. They're searching through every street, corner and residence in this place. We'll find something soon" Aaron spoke, assuring him. Davian walked away into the night without saying anything, his lone silhouette being his only companion.
Aaron started at his boss retreating back with a conflicted gaze. Ten years, he has worked for this man. He deeply revered and fear this man with every inch of his being. He was a devil in a human skin, a demon without a heart or soul but only when it comes to the Miss that he could finally see traces of a human emotion in this man.
On the other hand, Nalani finally regained her consciousness, only find herself tied up and gagged. Lying in a completely dark room. Panic and fear gripped her heart as she realized the seriousness of her predicament. She has been kidnapped. She struggled to break free, screaming to be saved. Feeling her hand around on the ground, she realised that she was lying in a hay so she must be locked up in someone's barn. She needs to get out of here. Just then the barn door was opened wide allowing the moonlight to illuminate the place, Nalani quickly adjusted her vision to look outside.
She saw three people appeared at the door. A tall and burly man, a middle aged woman and an old woman. Nalani's eyes widen in shock when she recognised who these people were. It's her kidnapper and the old matriarch and mother-in-law of Janice.
These witches that tried to rip her baby out of her yesterday. She struggled to say something but the gag obstructed her words, only sounds came out.
The old matriarch with a menacing smile walked closer to her and said, "Little girl, do you still have the strength to save yourself now. You should have minded your own business and now you'll face the consequences." She laughed maniacally.
Nalani wasn't afraid of her but only stared at her with anger. The burly man removed the gag from her mouth to allow her talk. Nalani gasped for air.
"You people will not be able to get away with this". She shouted, her gaze fierce.
"Not be able to get away with this? Of course we can. You know why, because no one knows we have anything to do with you. Not even your protector can save you from us" Janice mother-in-law interjected.
"You people are evil. You have no right to be treating people this way. Let me go". Nalani screamed, struggling to break free. The matriarch leaned in close to her and raised Nalani's head with her finger, checking her face intently. Nalani turned her face away, unwilling to look at her old and wrinkled face with such a poisonous heart.
"You ruined the chance to save my beloved grandson but now you'll have to pay back with yours. Your life is going to extend my grandson's health" The matriarch said, ominously. Her eyes shining with ill-intent. Nalani's eyes widen in fear.
"What are you people trying to do? You'll not be able to get away with this". She cried.
They ignored her and walked away. Outside the barn and in a courtyard, an old witch doctor was performing some rituals and the burly man was digging up a grave near by. The middle aged woman supported the matriarch to her seat and together they partake in the ritual ceremony, praying fervently .
Inside the barn, Nalani prays and cries fir a saviour, realising the seriousness of her situation. She can only hope for Davian to find her soon.