Chapter 5 - The Empty Bed
Arthur’s hand shook as he clutched the golden scrap of silk, the realization of what that torn fabric meant hitting him with the force of a physical blow.
He pushed Lily’s bedroom door wide open, bracing himself for another tearful confrontation or the sight of his daughter huddled in fright beneath her covers.
The room was bathed in the pale, silvery glow of the moon filtering through the sheer curtains, casting long, peaceful patterns across the floor.
The bed was neatly made, the floral duvet pulled taut, and Mr. Whiskers—the frayed stuffed rabbit—sat upright against the plumped-up pillows, staring blankly toward the door with button eyes.
Lily was not inside the room.
"Lily?" Arthur whispered, stepping inside, his boots crunching softly on a scattering of small plastic beads near the doorway.
He rushed to the closet, throwing the sliding doors back with a clatter, but found only hanging dresses and empty shoe boxes.
He checked the adjoining bathroom, flipping the light switch on to reveal an immaculate, bone-dry sink and a neatly folded stack of white towels.
The window overlooking the front yard was unlocked, the screen pushed outward by a few inches, leaving a narrow gap just large enough for a small child to slip through.
Panic, cold and sharp, clawed its way up Arthur’s throat, overriding the confusion and suspicion that had paralyzed him moments before.
He grabbed his phone from his pocket, his thumb swiping frantically across the screen to dial emergency services, but the display remained stubbornly black.
The battery icon flashed a warning symbol before the device went entirely dead, shutting off with a soft, phantom chime.
He cursed under his breath, turning sharply toward the doorway to rush downstairs and use the landline in the kitchen.
Standing right in the middle of the hallway, blocking his only path to the stairs, was Elena.
She had changed out of her gold dress into a simple, dark cashmere sweater, her long hair tied back in a severe, elegant knot.
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"You're looking for the little girl, aren't you, Arthur?" she asked softly, her hands resting calmly inside her pockets as she blocked the exit.
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