Gonzalo Found Us

River's heart pounded as she burst out of the small room where she'd been conversing with Annemarie. The absence of Rain's infectious laughter and Leo's playful chatter left a chilling hollowness in the passageway. This place could have passed for a mischievous horror setting without the aura of the kids.

Had they gone exploring the surrounding woods? Or perhaps Rain, with her boundless energy, had convinced Annemarie to take her out for a walk?

Knowing her daughter, River knew Rain must be up to some mischief and had dragged Leo with her. Fretting about where Rain could have wandered to was becoming a daily habit for her. And she was very very used to it too.

Swooping into the living room, River's gaze darted around the space, searching for any sign of her precious daughter. It was, however, empty.

Annemarie sat alone on an armchair, her brow furrowed in concentration, a half-eaten apple resting on a plate beside her, a frown creasing her brow as she stared into the oblivion, seemin