The Phantom Prince ✔️

Chapter 7

Today Amy was really excited to go to school and tell her friends about the presents. Her best friend Claudia wanted to walk with her to school.

"Calm down sweetie... Have something to eat first." Lavinia tried to coax her into eating the sandwich.

"B... Buuut imma gowna be lwate then." she grumbled.

"You sure you can go by yourself?" I asked nervously. I usually drop her to school daily. It was the first time she was going alone.

"daaaad. I am a bwig girl. I can go with Claudy. Don' be such a wowwywart." She said standing on tip toes to show how big she was.

"Anywaws you said you wewe busy. Had ta make some fwone cawls fo da case." she reasoned logically.

I bit my lip thoughtfully.

"It will be fine sweetie. School's not that far." Lavinia said.

"All right... But don't let go of Claudia's hand okay." I agreed.

"Yaaaaaay" she screeched and ran away like a bullet train.

"Your sandwich" Lavinia called out but the door was slammed.

She sighted.

"If it makes you feel better, you can watch from the window. Keep an eye out for her Mr tough looking G man. " she suggested and laughed as she went back to the kitchen.

Tring tring

My phone rang. It was Rodriguez. I forgot about watching Amy and answered the phone.

"What's up?" I asked wasting no time.

"uhhh.. Marc its.. They want new samples. This time they are looking for someone young, blond and blue eyes. Its um.. They want to make another video called broken human, broken doll."

"What! Shit! Those bastards! Did they take someone?"

"Two kids age 5 and age 7. Um.. Well.. Uh.. Its just a bad feeling but.. You see.."

"Get to the point." I said.

"I sent you the pictures.... They look so  alike.. I mean to say they look like Amy."

I froze.

"Anyways just make sure she is safe. The last sample was taken nearby your area." he said and hung up but I was frozen in place, the phone still near my ear.

I had a bad feeling about this. A really bad feeling.

Yesterday I felt like someone was watching us from the window during the party and now I left her alone and she might...

I shook my head.

I am probably just being paranoid.

There was no way something like that could happen.

I told Lavinia what I just heard. She looked so scared when I told her that I almost didn't want her to know.

"L... Let's call the school just in case. Maybe we could ask them to let her come home earlier." she tried to sound strong but her voice broke and her hands were shaking.

I held her hands in mine and looked at her with confidence that I didn't feel in her eyes.

"Don't worry... Its probably my imagination. I am just being paranoid." I said smiling but it didn't reach my eyes.

"I H.. Hope you are right." she said with so much trust in me that I felt I didn't deserve.

I should have kept an eye on her from the window.

I called the school.

"Good morning Miss Rosa. This is Amy's father Marcus." I began.

"Oh yeah. Amy... Such a sweet child. How can I help you Mr. Marcus?" her teacher said in her bright and cheery voice.

"I know school's almost over but I was wondering if we could have her leave earlier today. Something urgent has come up I am afraid."

No response.

BOOM

I heard the thunder roar outside as it began raining heavily suddenly. The foreboding feeling I had increased.
Amy did not like the rain. She must be very scared right now.

"H.. Hello" I asked warily.

I could hear a gasp and heavy breathing so I knew she did not hang up.

"uh.. Are you still there Miss Rosa?" I asked.

The bad feeling I had suddenly intensified and I felt cold even though it was hot outside.

"But Mr. Marcus..." Miss Rosa said "Amy never came to school today."

I froze and felt a sudden chill. Lavinia stared at me with her eyes wide in horror.

Six words.

Six little words –

And my world came crashing down

Just six words...

And I felt my life changed…

Forever.