Gone without trace

Lola’s POV

Blood.

A trail of it. Thin at first, then darker, thicker, leading toward the basement door.

For a second, my eyes went blurry and the world around me tilted.

“Dad?” My voice trembled again as I called out. It came out small and shaky, but was swallowed by the silence that pressed down from every corner of the house.

No answer.

I crouched down. The blood was fresh and I could still somehow smell it. That unmistakable metallic smell.

I refused to believe this. But still, I could guess what was happening.

He couldn’t have gone too far… even if someone had taken him.

My stomach twisted. I staggered, following the trail until I reached the basement.

That forbidden door.

I could still hear his voice in my head — Don’t ever go down there, Lola. Promise me.

He never told me why and he never had to. His tone was enough.

The keypad blinked in a steady red rhythm. Locked.

I tried anyway, my shaking fingers pressing random numbers. 2–0–9–7. 1–7–3–8.

The red light blinked faster. Then it beeped. Error.

“Please,” I whispered. “Please, open”

Tears already dripping down my cheeks.

I pressed my ear to the cold iron and in there was silent as a graveyard.

Just then, I heard a faint, dull sound. Like something falling.

I stumbled backward, my pupils dilating.

“Are you in there?”

Nothing.

Just the echo of my own heartbeat, loud and frantic.

The lights flickered once. Twice. The shadows in the corners also seemed to move.

My chest felt tight. Think, Lola. Think.

If he was taken, if something happened, there had to be a sign.

I tried searching for any clue that could be left by him or the person.

That was when I saw the landline.

The cord was cut clean through.

Someone had been here just as I guessed. And they didn't want anyone who would come in after them to call for help.

They possibly could still be lurking around.

Lost in thoughts, I heard the front door suddenly opened and then closed.

The footsteps coming towards my direction.

I grabbed the vase from the table, gripping it like a weapon, though I could barely keep my hands from shaking as I hid, pressing myself tightly against the wall.

If I should die, then at least I would die fighting for my life.

Then…

A low sound. Woof.

I gasped, turning sharply.

“Maya…”

I fell to my knees, burying my face in her fur. The sob broke out before I could stop it.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I shouldn’t have left. I shouldn’t have gone.”

Her warmth grounded me just enough to breathe. But I couldn't waste time.

I had to move.

I couldn’t stay here. And Maya needed to be safe.

I took her leash and hurried to the neighbor. Mrs. Rinaldi opened the door, startled at my face.

“Lola, what happened?”

I forced a shaky smile. “Can you keep Maya for me? Just for a while.”

She frowned, confused. “Of course. But you look hurt. Are you sure you're fine?”

“Sure I am.,” I lied, eyes already burning with unfinished tears. “I just… wanted to drop Maya here.

“Okay dear. No problem”. She responded with a gentle smile.

Uhm.. can I borrow your phone to make a call?”

Her phone felt heavy in my hand as I ran back home.

My hands trembled as I gathered some of the blood in a nylon bag as evidence, my stomach twisting at the sight of it.

Then I went to Dad’s study.

Everything was untouched and looked fine. The house seemed pretty normal like someone had been here and cleaned their tracks.

After rummaging through documents, I finally found it. A file of his previous bodyguards. Draven Northway.

Dad’s most loyal guard. The only one who hadn’t betrayed him.

My hands shook as I dialed the number.

He answered fast. “Who is this?”

“It’s Lola.”

“Lola?” A pause. “Why are you calling me? Your father was the one who said…”

“Draven, he’s gone,” I choked out. “Only blood traces left. I don’t know what happened.”

He cursed under his breath. “Don’t move. Don’t speak to anyone. I’m on my way.”

After ending the call, I slowly walked to his room. The familiar old paper scent I knew was the first thing to welcome me.

“I'm sorry… I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have left”.

Memories of our past together flashed in my eyes. If we don't end up finding him, I couldn't imagine how life without him would be.

When Draven arrived, his face went pale at the sight of the hall. He took the nylon bag and crouched to inspect the stains.

“This isn’t random,” he muttered. “This looks planned.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean whoever did this wanted it to look like a struggle but it’s too clean. Your father would’ve fought back.”

He stood, eyes scanning the walls, the door, the trail. “You can’t stay here, Lola. Whoever came for him might come for you next.”

I swallowed hard. “Draven, who could’ve done this?”

His gaze softened, but he didn’t answer right away. “Think, Lola. Who had a reason to want him gone?”

The question burned through my skull.

Who else could it be?

Aside the anonymous debt collector who was speaking to him the other day, who else could it be?

Then the memory hit me

That night, his voice. Smooth, cold and final.

‘I’m buying you.’

My fingers went numb.

There was only one man ruthless enough to erase someone completely and still sleep soundly afterward.

Damien Salvatore.