Nicole

Chapter 21: Revenge

B R I E L L E ' S P O V:

THE SUNLIGHT WAS streaming through the curtains as I woke up, stretching lazily in bed. It was morning, and that meant it was time to breastfeed Esined-Grace. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I slipped out of bed and padded softly to her room, expecting to see her tiny face smiling up at me.

BUT WHEN I REACHED the crib, my heart stopped. It was empty.

Brielle: No... no, no, no...

PANIC IMMEDIATELY SET in as I frantically searched the room, my heart pounding in my chest. I called out for her, my voice trembling.

Brielle: Esined-Grace! Baby, where are you?!

THERE WAS NO response, just the deafening silence of an empty room. I stumbled back, my mind racing. This couldn't be happening. Not my baby.

THE FIRST THING I did was grab my phone, my hands shaking as I dialed my mom and dad. The phone rang once, twice, and then my mom picked up.

Kamilla: Brielle? Sweetie, what's wrong?

MY VOICE WAS barely a whisper, choked with fear.

Brielle: Mom, Esined-Grace... she's gone. She's gone, Mom!

I COULD HEAR the panic in her voice as she called out to my dad in the background. I was barely holding it together, my mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion.

Kamilla: Stay calm, Brielle. We're on our way. Have you called the police?

Brielle: No... I... I need to find her, Mom. I need to know she's okay.

JUST THEN, A strange sensation washed over me. It was like a vision, a vibe, pulling me into a different reality. I felt dizzy, clutching the edge of the crib for support.

V I S I O N:

IN THE VISION, I saw a dark, shadowy figure holding Esined-Grace. His face was obscured, but there was something eerily familiar about him. He moved swiftly, purposefully, disappearing into the shadows with my baby in his arms.

AS THE VISION faded, I gasped, the room spinning around me. I knew I had to do something. I couldn't just stand here and wait.

Brielle: Mom, I... I saw something. I think I know who took her.

Kamilla: What do you mean? Who?

I TOOK A deep breath, trying to steady myself.

Brielle: Chloe's twin brother. He's the one who took her.

THERE WAS A brief silence on the other end of the line, and then my dad's voice came through, strong and determined.

Cisco: We'll find her, Brielle. I promise you, we'll find her. Hang tight until we get there. Don't do anything reckless, okay?

I NODDED, even though they couldn't see me, tears streaming down my face.

Brielle: Okay, Dad. Please hurry.

AS I HUNG up the phone, I felt a surge of determination. I wouldn't rest until my baby was back in my arms. No matter what it took, I would find her.