The air rang with the bright laughter of children, echoing through the golden afternoon. Ezra caught Isla's hand, pulling her close until their noses almost touched. "I'll never leave you—not now, not ever," he declared, voice fierce with childish certainty. "I'll stay by your side in this life and the next. Promise me you'll do the same his young eyes blazing with conviction ." Isla blinked up at him, startled by the intensity in his eyes. "Ezra I promise to stay by your side always live with you in good or bad times." Isla replied softly. Those words are too heavy for children like you," Miss Miranda said softly. "You're only ten." "Age is just a number, Mum," Ezra shot back as Miranda appeared with a tray of snacks. "I love Isla, and I'll never leave her. That's a promise." "Miss Miranda, when will my mother be back?" Isla asked shyly. "I miss her apple pie." Her mother had been away on a business trip all week, and Miranda had been watching over them. "She said she'll be home tonight," Miranda smiled. "But I can bake apple tarts if you'd like." "Yay!" the children squealed as she turned toward the kitchen. Moments later, the two slipped outside, sunlight painting their faces. Ezra frowned, watching Isla skip ahead. "Why did you bring me out here?" "So we can play without Mum hovering! It's boring inside," Isla laughed. "You know we're not supposed to be out here without an adult," Ezra reminded her, his tone serious. Isla tossed her hair defiantly. "You're nine, I'm seven—we're old enough to play outside." Ezra sighed, shaking his head. "Last time you ended up with a bump on your head," he muttered. "I can only imagine what disaster you'll find this time."
They played and laughed, chasing each other across the yard until Isla's eyes caught on a bright red kite drifting in the distance. "Ezzy, look!" she gasped, pointing. "Let's follow the kite! I heard if you follow one, it leads you to a good unicorn!" Ezra tightened his grip on her hand, alarm flashing in his eyes. "No, Isla, we can't leave the house. It's dangerous to go alone—your mother's rules." Isla pouted, mischief dancing on her face. "Rules are meant to be broken! Miss Miranda's too busy with the pie to even notice." Before Ezra could protest again, she darted toward the gate. "I'm not in support of this, Isla. I disagree!" he called after her. She turned with a defiant glare. "I don't care! If you don't come with me, it means you're a liar! You said you'd never leave me—guess that was just a promise you didn't mean!" The words hit him like a sting. With no choice, Ezra chased after her as the kite floated farther and farther, leading them toward the edge of the forest. The air grew heavy as they reached the riverbank, surrounded by tall, shadowy trees. Rumor had it that this was no place for children—that it was where people smuggled forbidden goods and where whispers of child trafficking haunted the wind.
Ezra grabbed Isla's hands tightly, his voice trembling. "We're not going there, Isla. That place is dangerous!" But she yanked free, eyes blazing with stubborn fire. "You're always such a coward! If you don't want to come, then leave!" Before he could answer, she bolted toward the river. Heart pounding, Ezra chased after her through the thick shadows of the forest. The air grew colder, the trees whispering warnings, until they froze—dozens of masked men were loading heavy boxes onto a boat. Ezra pulled Isla behind a tree, his breath quick and shallow. "I told you it's dangerous here! And look—the kite's not even here! We have to leave before someone sees us," he whispered urgently. Isla's eyes widened as she spotted a flash of color. "The kite—it's on that boat! Maybe the unicorn isvhiding in one of those boxes," she whispered. "Don't be ridiculous," Ezra hissed. "There's no unicorn no unicorn can fit in those boxes, and those men look dangerous!" But Isla's curiosity had already taken control. "They've gone off the boat—I'll grab it and come right back. Just wait here!" Before Ezra could stop her, she slipped from behind the tree and crept onto the boat. She reached for the kite, clutching it triumphantly, but the sound of heavy footsteps made her freeze. The masked men had returned. Panic surged through her as she ducked behind a stack of boxes, trembling. The boat suddenly jerked away from shore, drifting into the dark current. Realizing she was being taken, Isla's fear broke loose. "Ezzy! Ezzy, help me!" she screamed, voice cracking with terror. One of the men spun around and covered her mouth with a handkerchief. "Quiet, kid." Her cries faded as her body went limp. "I thought there were only seven kids," one of them muttered. "Guess we've got an extra." Another chuckled darkly. "Who cares how she got here? We'll sell her too. She looks like she's from money—check out that diamond necklace." They began arguing, voices rising until a deep, cold voice cut through the chaos. "Enough," the boss growled, stepping forward. "Give me the necklace. Now."
"Susan, where are the kids? I've arrived," she called out, setting her bag down by the door. Miss Miranda rushed out from the kitchen, flour still dusting her hands. "You're early! I thought you'd be arriving tonight," she said, trying to hide the nervous tremor in her voice. "I wrapped up work and left the rest to my secretary," Susan replied briskly. "Now, where are the kids? I even brought Ezra his favorite chocolate." "They're in the playroom," Miranda said quickly, but Susan's expression shifted. "No, they're not. I went there already—there's no one." Miranda's breath caught. "They told me they'd stay there! I warned them not to go outside." "Then where are they?" Susan's voice rose, sharp with fear. "I trusted you, Miranda. I trusted you to keep Isla safe, and now she's gone!" Miranda's hands shook as she tried to explain. "They were here just a few minutes ago. They asked me to bake apple pie—I swear, I thought they were still inside!" "Your excuses won't bring her back if something's happened to her!" Susan's voice cracked, fury and panic colliding. "If my daughter gets hurt, I'll never forgive you!" The air grew heavy, the silence unbearable—until the door creaked open. Ezra stood there, drenched, trembling, his face pale and streaked with tears. Miranda ran to him. "Ezra! Sweetheart, what happened? Why are you wet? Where's Isla?" Ezra's lips quivered, his voice barely a whisper. "I tried to save her, Mum… I really did. I swam after the boat, but it was too fast… they took her." His words hit like thunder. "Miss Susan," he choked out between sobs, "they caught her… she's gone… Isla's gone!" His knees gave out as he cried, the sound tearing through the room while Miranda froze in shock and Susan's scream broke the air like glass, echoing with heartbreak and disbelief.