The mystery of Saganash.

The missing Hunters.

(Third)

The door to the rec room was slammed shut as the four Hunter kids that weren't in hiding were in their pjs. They were left with thin mats and sleeping bags as beds and enough pieces of bread with a slice of ham for one each and then one extra, and some water if they became thirsty.

Outside the door, Eugene sat down beside it to keep guard and Hedwig brought him some biscuits to snack on throughout the night and a thermos.
"Don't you think it would be better to put an extra lock on the door?" Hedwig asked, making him chuckle at the idea.
"My watchfulness is boundless, Hedwig. Not even a mouse could pass without me noticing it." He informed her, and she reluctantly gave him the thermos and headed off to bed.

"This is a nightmare!" Nika shouted in annoyance.
"It's just a game, Nika." Tess pointed out.
"It's not just that. I'm cut off. How am I supposed to know what's happening in the world? What if Neuterella dropped a Newspond? I've got FOMO bad!" She informed them all.
"Any idea what she's talking about?" Daniel asked in confusion.
"Kids these days." Sal joked since none of them knew, before the phone started to ring.
Once they remembered the phone they had, they rushed to get it and answered it. Thankfully Eugene ignored it and fell back asleep.
"Hello." Tess spoke as they were on a FaceTime with the hooded figure.
"I don't appreciate being treated like a fool." They admitted to the four, before he revealed the fake diamond to them and a hammer.
Once he was sure they saw both of them, he slammed the hammer onto the fake jewel, smashing it into pieces and shocking the Hunter kids.
"No more fakes. Tomorrow, you'll hand over the real diamonds, 3:00 p.m. At the docks. Or you'll never see Kate and Erik again." He informed them before hanging up.

Later in the night, Max gently pushed open the secret hatch and checked to see the coast was clear. Once he was sure, he signalled for Sav to follow behind him. They snuck through the house as quietly as they could and went through the kitchen before peaking out to see Eugene fast asleep. They double checked the witch wasn't coming before they headed towards the rec room. They quickly ducked into the nook to the closet and pushed themselves against the wall to not be seen by Eugene, and Max held Sav by her waist as she peeked to see it was safe for them.

In the room, Daniel tried one of the slices only for it to really have no taste somehow and stopped himself from having a bite. He joked with Sal and pushed it into his face to get him to eat it before he tossed it back onto the plate.
"Now we have to hand over the real diamond." Sal pointed out as Nika heard keys jingled.
"How are we gonna do that when they've got us on lockdown?" Daniel questioned.
"Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh." Nika quickly shushed them when she realised it was coming from the other side of the door.
They all fell silent and listened to the door unlock, before it opened to reveal Max and Sav.
"Max! Sav!" The four shouted before they all shushed one another and waited in silence to hear Eugene still snoring away.
The two snuck in before Max quietly shut the door behind the two and they joined them on the ground.
"What'd we miss?" The two asked them.
"We heard from Saganash. He found out the diamond was fake." Tess informed them.
"We have to do something." Daniel told.
"We're all getting out of here now." Max told them.
"Like now is our only chance to do so." Sav added to them, making the four share looks at what they knew that they didn't.
"We just heard Gene and Hedy talking. They're gonna split us up. New foster families for all of you."
"Putting a stop to getting Erik and Kate home safe." Sav told.
"Why?" Sal asked.
"With us out of the way, they can take over the house and everything in it." Max informed them.
"We have to hide." The two told as one.
"Won't that make it easier for them?" Tess asked.
"Yes and no." Sav agreed before Max continued.
"We can come up with a plan and we all be together."
"Where can we go?" Daniel asked.
"I don't know." Max admitted, making Sav take his hand in hers to comfort him. "Amsterdam does have some nice parks."
"Guys, don't listen to Max, we're not living in a park." Daniel told as Nika and Sal covered their faces.
"What about your place Sav?" Nika asked, making her shake her head.
"We can't. I'll be the first place they'll look. Which is why I'm gonna hide with you guys. Once Simone and Tim catch wind, then they'll question me and follow me to get me to lead them to you."
"But your gran." Sal pointed out.
"Oh yeah she'll be mad. And worried.... Might tell my dad. Either way I'll be dead, but it's worth it. Only time I can go with some form of no contact with you guys is when we sleep. I wanna do this." Sav told making them smile at the risk she was doing for them. "But we do need to find a place to head to, like now."
"If we aren't careful, next he'll say we should live on a canal." Daniel joked, making Tess get a look like she thought of something.
"Actually, that's not a bad idea." Tess admitted, making them all hold a confused look at that.

(Sav p.o.v)

We laid down in the little section we found to sleep at for the night and thankfully I was able to steal the blanket I used when I stayed at the Hunters place when we ransacked the place for extra clothes. I was playing with Max's hand as he mostly focused on the video we were watching to help us get to sleep.
"You ok?" Max whispered making me nod.
"Yeah. Just feel bad that my gran will be worried about me." I admitted making him put the video on pause before he moved so we were completely facing one another.
"I know. But it's what was best, remember. Besides, I wouldn't be able to go long without texting you and that would ruin the whole thing." He told making me chuckle.
"I'm glad I have you."
"I'm glad I have you too." He admitted back, making us smile as he rested his hand on my waist to comfort me, while he used his left to rest his head on it.
"Remember when we all slept in Daniels bed and we woke up cuddling?" I asked, making him smile at it.
"Yeah."
"I didn't want to let go of you."
"I didn't want to either. Hence why I wrapped my arm around you."
"Yeah I've quickly learnt you like being in some form of contact with me when we are together."
"I haven't heard you complaining."
"Not complaining. I welcome it." I told, making him smile at it before he moved his hand to her cheek.
"Can I kiss you, Sav?"
"Yes." I told making us lean in and kissed.
'At least I've got the Hunters by my side while we do this.'

(Back to third)

The clock began to chime in the house, waking Eugene up from his slumber on the chair. As he looked towards the clock more, he quickly came to realise what time it was.
"9:00." He spoke to himself before rushing up and began to get the children ready. "Morning roll call."
He blew into his whistle as he unlocked the door and opened it, only to fall silent at the sight of the room being empty.
"Hedwig!" He shouted as he rushed out to get to his sister who was rushing to meet him on the stairs. "Hedwig! Hedwig, listen-- wha... what's on your face?"
"Oh, we'll it's this fantastic--" she began to explain before he cut her off.
"Oh, never mind. The kids, they're gone."
"Gone? What do you mean gone?" She questioned as they rushed back to the room they were last seen in.
"Well, you know, gone."
"I thought you were guarding them. I told you we should have got an extra lock on that door, but no, what did you say? 'Oh, my watchfulness is boundless. Not even a mou..." she mocked before the sound of the doorbell rang, cutting their argument short.
"Who could that be?" Eugene questioned as they both peeked a look out towards it.
"Well, how would I know?" Hedwig asked him.

When Eugene opened the door, he came face to face with Simone, Tim and Sav's grandmother waiting for one of them to open the door.
"Good morning." Simone told him.
"Good morning."
"I got a phone call from the kids' school. None of them showed up this morning." Tim informed him.
"To which they came to my house and I explained last I saw Savanna was when she came here yesterday to spend time with your family and hadn't heard from her since." Sapphire stated, not hiding her annoyed look towards him.
"Oh, I don't see how that can be." Eugene stated as he faked confusion.
"So, they're not here?" Simone asked.
"No, of course not. No. No, we gave them a hearty breakfast and sent them on their way."
"With an extra hug for each of them." Hedwig added from the back.
"Extra hug, yes."
"Are you hiding something, Mr. Hunter?" Sapphire asked.
"Not at all. Why would you think that?"
"You are acting worse then one of my many performers at my theatre. You also look like you've got something to hide." She stated.
"Just worry's for my nieces and nephews and their friend. Since I watched them leave for school myself."
"Well, they never got there." Simone informed him.
"Oh... oh, those poor kids, out there all alone. Who knows what's become of them?"
"Well, the children are your responsibility. May we come in?" Simone asked but didn't even give him time to reject as she made her way past him, with Sapphire and Tim following close behind.
"Oh, yes, of course. Of course you can. They're probably just playing hooky. Hedwig, look who's here!"
"I'm not ready for guests!" She shouted out as Eugene shut the door behind them and Rinus was creeping up as he heard everything, instantly becoming worried for the children.
As soon as he was in front of the door, he pulled out his phone and called the first one that came up in his contacts.
"Hello. The police and child welfare are here. Along with Savanna's grandmother. They say you disappeared, where are you guys?" He asked in the phone hoping they'd get the voice mail, before he saw the tall figure come up beside him in a long black coat, black hat, sunglasses and red scarf around the face. "Uh... can I help you?"
"You've got questions, I have answers. Follow me." They told him before turning around and began to walk off, making Rinus follow after the tall figure.
"Where are you taking me?" He asked them.
"Just follow me."