Sequel to Friday barnes the Aftermath

Chapter 9

4 YEARS LATER

I vomited again in the cold cell, my body weakened by four years of torment. It was time to escape. The rusted chains, unchanged for years, were my ticket out. Summoning every last ounce of strength, honed from my detective work and Highcrest days, I pulled free. A loud clack echoed through the cell.Without looking back, I sprinted down the corridor, dodging the security guard. The door swung open, and a blinding ray of light enveloped me. I breathed in awe, my legs pumping as I ran.Malnourished and frail, my ribs protruding, I knew I couldn't keep running. I spotted a bank and darted inside, seeking refuge. To disguise myself, I needed money.

I felt bile rise to throat as i quickly headed for the bathroom again vomiting. I didn't know what to do.

"I need a new card for the name Friday Barnes" I horsley croaked

'friday Barnes? The women who went missing 4 years ago!? That's you!"

"yes please don;t tell anyone" I pleaded

Understanding my need she quickly got out a card

"No transactions were made since the past 4 years" She told me smiling warmly

I nodded. I just wanted Melanie and Ian. My family.

After a while of walking i had found a hotel near the palace.Quickly ordering food i wolfed down everything feeling better before closing my eyes"

I woke up to again the nauseating feeling, rushing to the bathroom i thrw up my insides Panting i rested  head against the cool wall until i put everything in place.

I was pregnant.

Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed uncontrollably. I missed Ian, Melanie, Ingrid, Bernie, Bella... everyone. The weight of their absence crushed me.

Sniffling, I exited the room, knowing I needed to blend in and avoid a scene. Norway looked unchanged, making it easy for me to navigate. I headed to the boutique Melanie and Ingrid always took me to, seeking casual clothes to disguise myself. As I paid, I hastily put on a pair of sunglasses just as a couple entered.My heart sank. "Ian, darling, with the Oscars coming up, we need some gowns and tuxedos altered," a woman said. She was stunning, with loosely curled brunette hair and a striking figure. Ian looked the same, yet sad, as if something was missing.Avoiding eye contact, I walked past them, but my clumsy self tripped. I thought I would die. Already vulnerable after finding the news of the baby, I felt overly protective of myself. Until hands grasped my waist."Are you alright?" Ian asked, concern etched on his face. I nodded hastily and hurried away, desperate to remain incognito.

I saw Ians cofiused face before entering a taxi.

IANS POV

I couldn't shake off the feeling that the girl I saw was familiar, like a ghost from my past. It had been years since Friday disappeared, leaving an unhealed wound. I had tried to move on, marrying Emily as Bernie suggested, hoping it would help me let go. But Emily preferred living with her mother, and I resided in the palace, feeling empty.Kissing Emily goodbye, I entered the palace and headed to Melanie's room. "Mel," I said, knocking. Melanie got up, cradling her adorable two-year-old son, Marcus. "I need to discuss something with you.""I think I saw Friday," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.Melanie's expression turned sympathetic. "Ian, I know you miss her, but the police said she's gone."I pulled out the security footage from my pocket. "I'm serious; look at this." Melanie's eyes widened as she examined the photo."That's uncannily like Friday. What if she's alive?" Melanie's voice trembled."I spoke to the sales clerk," I added. "She bought casual clothes and sunglasses, then left. And she tripped, just like Friday used to."Melanie's determination sparked. "Let's search nearby hotels?""I'll ask the royal guards," Melanie said, putting Marcus down before grabbing the phone.My heart raced with possibilities. Could it be? Was Friday truly alive?

Melanie's fingers flew across the phone's keypad as she dialed the royal guards' number. I paced around the room, my mind racing with possibilities."Captain James, it's Melanie. I need you to discreetly search nearby hotels for a woman matching Friday's description," Melanie said, her voice firm.I stopped pacing, watching Melanie's expression."What's the chance she's alive, Mel?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Melanie's eyes met mine, filled with empathy. "We have to try, Ian. For closure, if nothing else."The silence that followed was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of Marcus playing with his toys.Suddenly, Melanie's phone rang. "Captain James," she answered.I watched as Melanie's expression transformed from hope to shock."What?" Melanie exclaimed. "Where?"My heart skipped a beat."What is it, Mel?" I demanded.Melanie's eyes locked onto mine. "They found her, Ian. She's at the Grand Hotel, registered under a pseudonym."I felt like I'd been punched in the gut."Let's go," I said, already moving toward the door.Melanie grabbed my arm. "Ian, be prepared for anything. We don't know what she's been through."I nodded, my mind racing with questions.What had Friday endured all these years? Was she still the same person I loved?As we rushed to the Grand Hotel, my heart pounded with anticipation and fear.Wait," Mel said, halting our departure. "We need Ingrid.""I'll get her," I volunteered, already racing towards Ingrid's room."Ingrid!" I exclaimed, bursting through the door."Yes?" she replied, looking up from her book."Friday's been found," I announced, my words tumbling out.Ingrid's eyes widened, filling with tears. She sprang from her seat, her face alight with hope."Binky, watch Elias" she called out to Binky before grabbing her purse and rushing alongside me.We swiftly entered a waiting black SUV, its engines roaring to life as we sped off.Melanie sat in the front, phone in hand, coordinating with Captain James. " ETA, five minutes," she informed us.Ingrid grasped my hand, her eyes shining with tears. "Is it really her, Ian?"I nodded, my throat constricting. "We'll soon find out."The SUV screeched to a halt outside the Grand Hotel"

We entered heading to the receptionist.