LOGIN(THIRD PERSON'S POV)Todd's hand closed around the necklace so tightly that the chain bit into his skin. His blood turned to ice.He angrily took some steps out of the house, standing and looking out in to nothing. He was trying to suppress the anger that was brewing in him: "Todd?" Amanda said, noticing that he had stopped walking. "What is it? What's wrong?"Todd didn't answer. He just turned around slowly and faced the house.The front door was still open. Jason was standing there, watching them through the gap. His face was hard to read in the dim light."Jason." Todd called out, his voice low and dangerous. "Come outside."Jason didn't move. "What's wrong?""Come outside." Todd said again. Louder this time.After a few seconds, Jason stepped out onto the porch. His hands were still in his pockets. But something was different now. His posture had changed. He wasn't slouching anymore. He was standing straight, like he was ready for something."What is that?" Jason asked, nodding
(THIRD PERSON'S POV)The clock on the dashboard said 8:50 pm when Todd's car pulled up in front of Jason's house.It was a small house at the end of a quiet street. The paint on the walls looked newly repainted and so the sight was odd, especially since the front yard was overgrown with weeds. A single light was on inside, shining through a window covered with old curtains.Todd killed the engine and stared at the house."This is where Jason lives?" Amanda asked from the passenger seat. Her voice was small and nervous. She was aware that he stayed in this area but she did not know the exact address."Yeah." Todd said, his eyes fixed on the front door. "He lived alone with his mom.“ Who died last week, Todd added silently to himself. Amanda swallowed hard. "What if Rory is really in there?"Todd didn't answer. He couldn't. Because if Rory was in there, that meant Jason had taken her. And if Jason had taken her, Todd didn't know what he would do."Let's go." Todd said, opening his doo
(THIRD PERSON'S POV)Things happened in a blur for Larry Davis and Tia Richardson. Larry used his connection and money to get a private chopper that would take them all the way to Daisyland.A bus would take almost three hours, a plane would take thirty minutes, a private chopper would take only ten minutes.But for Larry Davis, even those ten minutes felt like eternity. He wanted to close his eyes and see that he was there. In Daisyland. With his daughter.But he had to hold on, firmly holding on to the seat handle while the helicopter was in the air. His knuckles were white from how tight he was gripping. His jaw was clenched. His mind was running through every possible worst-case scenario. What if they were too late? What if Rory was already hurt? What if he never got to see her smile again?He shook his head, refusing to let those thoughts take over.Beside him, Tia had her eyes closed for the ten minutes. She was struggling to think positively and not to think the worst things. H
(THIRD PERSON'S POV)"Oh my God! Rosalie!" Nana's shriek was enough to make Rosalie slowly tip into consciousness but somehow it all seemed to be happening in her mind.She wanted to open her eyes. To stand up. To tear out of the darkness and start looking for her sister. But somehow Rosalie seemed to be struggling to do anything other than floating in her mind.Everything felt heavy. Her arms. Her legs. Even her thoughts. She could hear voices around her but they sounded far away, like people were calling to her from the end of a long tunnel."She's breathing and mumbling. I think she is in shock. I'll take care of her." Larry Davis's voice could be heard. He had rushed over to his daughter when he heard the scream and saw that it was Nana.He now carried Rosalie in his hands and hurried out of the room."You stay here, Ryan." Tia said, her voice struggling to control the panic she was feeling."What? No. I have to make sure she's okay." Ryan shook her head and took another step forw
(THIRD PERSON'S POV)"Oh, these are so beautiful." Nana gushed over the bouquet of tulips that Rosalie was holding like a wrapped baby in her hands."They are." Rosa agreed with a pout. Then she cast a glance around before leaning closer to Nana's ear. "Guess what? Andrew also made a reservation for Aunt Ryan. They're having a romantic dinner at the rooftop of one of the most famous restaurants in town.""Ooohhh!!" Nana clasped her hands together while she and Rosalie giggled together like little kids."Do you think he's going to propose?" Nana asked and Rosalie rolled her eyes."I don't know that, Nana. Let's not rush okay? Let's just be happy that they are happy.""Oh, I need more grandchildren!" Nana said and Rosalie hushed her calmly."If Andrew hears that, you're going to scare him. And if Aunt Ryan hears that, she won't like it."Nana huffed and folded her arms. "There's no way they'll hear me. They're all the way over there."Andrew and Ryan were across the room, welcoming gues
(TODD’S POV)I dropped Chad like he was garbage. He slumped back onto the floor, gasping for air. I turned to Amanda, who was standing there with her hand over her mouth.“Where is she?” I whispered to no one in particular.A thousand thoughts crashed my mind but I could not even concentrate on one. I felt lost, lost in a pool of hazy thoughts. Dipped in a well of dread.“We—we must think.” Amanda rushed to me. It was clear to see that she was anxious too. Her brown eyes widened in fear.“Who on earth paid attention to her other than this bastard!” I growled angrily as I turned to Chad.He straightened his posture, moving away from me, and he wiped the blood from his lip, his voice shaking.“I don’t know, man! Everyone was watching her! She was the damned attention of the day. I know I followed her a little but I did stop. Especially when that Jason guy chased me off in the hall. I left her alone I swear.” He protested desperately.My heart skipped a beat. Jason. The ex-boyfriend who
(RORY'S POV)I don't know why I felt so anxious about the meeting.Or maybe I felt anxious because I knew it was Jason's mum's funeral and I could not go to give her my last respects.I felt mean. I felt sad. And so I really wanted to talk to Todd. But I could not. And it was all because of Denver
(RORY’S POV) My father is Colonel Larry Davis, a high-ranking officer in the U.S. military. When my mum was alive, Dad used to be around more often. He was still busy with his work, but at least we got to see him more. We were living in New York City then. After Mum’s death, and because of the natu
(RORY’S POV) The walk to the principal’s office felt like a rainbow ride until I got to the secretary and was asked to go in immediately. It showed me that my case was urgent, and that made me more anxious. I tried my best not to think of the million bad reasons why I could be called to the pr
(RORY’S POV) I had suddenly forgotten how to breathe. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, and all because I was staring into Martha’s hateful blue eyes. If looks could kill, I’d be dead and buried now. “I—I’m— Good morning, Martha,” I managed to say. “Can we step out for a conversation?” s







