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Chapter 5. Ethan

72 hours before the proposal
I walk up to my Dad's house, it's big, brown and has a pool out the front with lots of windows. It's an old cottage but it's cute. I can hear them yelling from inside, it's the semi-final of the AFL (Australian Rules Football) and it's Richmond vs Collingwood. I laugh, I'm not that into footy really but it's fun to have a beer and watch it with them.
I knock on the door and my dad's come to the door.

"G'day Son, this is a nice surprise," says Sam as he pulls me in for a hug. "We were just watching the footy, come in sit down and have a beer with us."
"Sounds like a plan," I say.
Paul turns to me and gives me a hug.
"Where's the lovely girl of yours?" He asks.
"Um she couldn't make it today, well I kind of wanted to talk to you about something." I say nervously. I sit down on the couch with them and sigh.
"I am going to propose to Amelie in a few days, I just worried she will say no."
"Good on ya mate! "exclaims Sam as he ruffles my hair. "You gotta be romantic about it, for example do what I did with your father, take her skinny dipping and put the ring in a champagne glass." I laugh.
"She'll say yes son, you're a total catch. And if she says no, then you move on," Paul says. "Take her out to a nice restaurant, maybe the place where you had your first date."
"Sounds like a plan," I say. "COME ON RICHMOND!" I cheer with my dad's.

**************

Day of the proposal.

I look in the mirror, slick my hair back and sigh. 'Today's the day' I think to myself. I get changed and head to the kitchen, today has to be perfect for her. I cook Amelie her favourite meal, and bring it to her.
"What about desert?" She asks and I laugh, very cheeky girl.

**************

I come home from work at 5:00 because she got fired today and I wanted to be there for her. She's sitting on the couch, looking flat. I kiss her on the cheek and cuddle with her on the couch under a blanket, one arm wrapped around her, her head on my shoulder. She's so cute, I hate to see her so down.
"Alright," I say getting up, "we are going out. I'm getting you out of this mood." She gets off the couch unwillingly.
"I bought you a dress, try it on!" I say.
"What's the special occasion?" She calls from the bedroom.
"You'll see," I reply.

**************

The night continues on we have a fun evening, laughing and sharing stories of our early relationship. Then the waiter brings over some champagne. I sigh, feeling terrified, this is it.
"Babe, I think there's something in your glass" I say. Whilst distracted in getting out what's in her glass, I kneel down on one knee. She picks up the ring, the look on her face was priceless.
"So, will you?" I ask. Her saying yes made me the happiest person on the planet. I was going to get married to a beautiful girl that I don't deserve!

*************

The day after, she's talking about planning our little engagement party. It would be small family and friends only. It sounded perfect.

**************

My parents drove down from Ottawa to Toronto just to celebrate, they're amazing. A few other guests arrived including Jackson's girlfriend Kenzie. The night continued full of fun and laughter my parents went a little overboard with the speeches but it was worth it.

***************

I went to bed early after cleaning up. I had a big day tomorrow. I was going on a business trip and I was nervous. Because Amelie wasn't coming with me, I knew she'd be fine but I had a weird feeling in my gut that something terrible would happen whilst I was away in New York.

***************

I left the house worried a little but calm. I drove to the airport, there was terrible traffic. Once I got to the airport, I discovered that my flight was delayed until tomorrow, I called my boss and let him know.

Hours pass and the whole day flew by. It's around 8:30 and I had just checked into my hotel. When I got a call from Cathy. I knew that Cathy was coming over tonight and having dinner with Amelie. So, I was wondering why she would be calling me. Was she drunk? I answered it not knowing what to expect. What I heard on the other line...made my stomach drop.

"Ethan, I'm sorry to disturb you. It's just I just got here and Amelie isn't here. I tried calling her a couple of times but it went straight to voicemail." Cathy says, trying to hide her worry.

"What do you MEAN she's not there?"

"I don't know, that's why I thought you would. No one's heard from her either. I'm trying not to be worried, but there was what looked like blood on the ground outside near the breaker."
I froze, fear and an unsettling feeling sent chills down my spine. I hung up, ran out the hotel and drove straight to my house.

There Cathy was, sitting on the couch, a worried look stretched across her face.
"I contacted Jackson, should we call her parents?" She asks.
"You have the same feeling, don't you?" I ask and she nods.
"Ethan....the door was unlocked. Amelie always locks her doors, so she must've gone outside and now she's gone."
"Oh God," I say as I start pacing the room, "Oh God, oh God, oh God,"

Jackson arrives, we start listing all the possibilities and how the blood could be from an animal or not blood at all. Then Jackson receives a text. He looks pale.
"Jackson? What is it?" I ask.
He looks at me and shows me the message, it reads

SOS, I've been taken. Please help, I don't know where I am, I am in a trunk. I am injured, help me please! This is not a joke!

Not knowing what to do or say, the nerves have hit their peak. I drop to the floor on my knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
My fiance, is hurt, alone, fearful for her life cause some creep has taken her. She could die.