Portal Of Shadows: The Carnival's Secret

The Search Begins

Mrs. Cromwell turned her gaze towards the door, her worry transforming into relief as Rain's voice echoed from behind her. Startled, she spun around, her eyes widening at the sight of her son standing in the doorway, his face flushed and snowflakes clinging to his coat.

"I'm here," Rain declared, panting slightly from his frantic search. He had snuck through the back door. "I couldn't find Sharky outside. I thought he might have come back here."

Mrs. Cromwell's heart skipped a beat as she hurried toward Rain, enveloping him in a tight embrace. "Oh, Rain! Thank goodness you're safe. I was so worried. But where is Sharky?"

Rain's eyes filled with a mixture of disappointment and determination. "I'm not sure, Mom. Nathaniel and I searched, but the storm was too intense. We'll keep looking. I won't give up on him."

Nathaniel, who had been watching the scene unfold with a mix of guilt and relief, stepped forward. "We'll find him, Mrs. Cromwell. We won't stop until we do."

A flicker of gratitude crossed Mrs. Cromwell's face as she regarded the two determined boys. "Thank you, Nathaniel. I appreciate your support. Let's regroup and plan our next steps. Sharky is a part of our family, and we'll do everything we can to bring him back home."

Rain nodded, his resolve firm. "We'll start by gathering some supplies—flashlights, blankets, and warm clothes. We can't let the storm hinder our search."

As Rain's mother and Nathaniel rallied behind him, Rain couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. He knew deep down that their bond, forged through the shared quest for his missing brother Riley, would guide them through this new challenge. The mystery of Riley's disappearance had left a void in their lives, and now, the search for Sharky intertwined with the lingering questions surrounding Riley's fate.