133 SEARCHING
LUKE’S POV
Andre and I hurried through the vast, empty warehouse, our footsteps echoing against the cavernous walls. The dim light from a few high windows cast long shadows across the dusty floor, adding to the eerie atmosphere. We had been searching for Ariel, our voices calling out her name but receiving only silence in return. I could feel frustration building within me.
“Andre,” I called out, my voice tinged with defeat. “I don’t think she’s here. Maybe we should call for help. Maybe we’re wasting our time.”
Andre’s voice echoed through the warehouse. “Luke, we can’t give up now. Ariel needs us, and we’re not leaving until we find her.”
I continued searching, pushing boxes aside and peering behind crates, but there was no trace of Ariel. It felt like an endless labyrinth, and hope was slipping through my fingers.
As I approached the center of the warehouse, André joined me. “Luke, I know this is tough, but we can’t lose hope. Ariel is counting on us. We’ve come too far to give up now. We’ll find her, I promise.”
His words stirred something within me. I nodded, steeling myself against the rising doubt. “You’re right, André. Let’s keep looking.”
We ventured further, and then I caught a glimpse of something in the far corner. “Andre, over here!” I called out.
We rushed over and found a little girl sitting on the floor, her expression a mix of relief and exhaustion.
“Hey there, are you okay?” I asked, my voice trembling with concern.
She nodded weakly, her eyes reflecting gratitude. “I’m okay, thanks to you both. I got lost in here and couldn’t find my way out.”
“How exactly?” I asked her, raising an eyebrow.
“Uhmm, Luke, we have a problem,” Andre spoke, and I turned around. It was the fearsome man, and he was walking in our direction.
Shit! This isn’t good,” I said, staring at the man who was glaring at us.
****
ARIEL’S POV
to kill me?”
surprised?” She smirked, crossing
done anything wrong to you? Because if I can clearly remember, We haven’t met. So tell me, what’s the problem around here? Why did you abduct me, and why
talk too
“No, I don’t.”
and it’s really irritating.”
I’m scared, alright?”
talk too much when you’re
something like that. But being serious
you don’t know me?” She quizzed, heaving an
I supposed to know you? We haven’t met before, we haven’t talked, and I haven’t even seen your face
Ariel, aren’t you just
to myself and then set my eyes back
your mother–in–law!” She responded coldly.
I gave her a bewildered
your mother–in–law, you nitwit!”
here? What
gosh, you’re just as dumb as your husband,” she said
“Who? Luke?”
Of how many
was just trying to clarify things. But for real, are you Luke’s mom?”
his mother, Don’t you see
“I don’t, actually.”
“What?!”
now, I’ve got millions of questions to ask
“Don’t even bother.”
you been all these years? Because if I can clearly remember, Luke told me his mother died when he was still a kid.
me and shook her
LUKE’S POV
us, I quickly pulled, clenched my fists tightly, and took a defensive stance. Andre
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