Chapter 9 Nine

"You want to go with Mommy today?" Isabella asked her child excitedly.The boy bounced up, feeling excited about getting out of the house with his mother, "Yes Mommy." His reply came instantly.It was one of those days where she wants to be alone with her kid, so she made decision about going to the pack. It was a quiet day and everyone was out doing their own thing, what Isabella failed to notice was how eeriely quiet it was, especially at the pack. The realization didn't set it until the worst happened."My child!" Her heart sank as panic seized her.

She remembered the tales of kidnappings that plagued the area recently. Had they taken her beloved child?Isabella rushed straight to the room which belonged to the child, she pushed the door opened calling out for him."Baby! Where are you?? Mama is back!" Tears streaming down from her eyes.Dread washed down her mind when she heard no cry nor sound, "Baby, where are you?? You're scaring mama, mama will cry!" She said, already in tears.She haven't imagined something like that before, so right now, she didn't know what to think, neither did she know what to do."I don't know anyone here, I don't think I've offended anyone before in my life except the ones that offended me. I am always on my lane, I made sure to keep to myself and I hid my baby well, away from everyone's eyes. I made sure no one knew about them, not even their father, so who can think of kidnapping them away from me? Who did I offended? Where can my child be? Has he eaten? Is he crying? I'm sure he is missing me right now! They are only a child for Goddess' sake! He is just too young to be in this kind of situation." Isabella cried in confusion."Why?" She muttered.Isabella stood up and wiped away her tears after a while, she realized that crying could not bring back her children, she had to take a step in searching for them, who knows, the kidnappers might still be close by."I have to find my child, no matter the cost. I have to bring him back home. Right here, back to where he belong, right here on my chest.""I promise you, Father and mother, all your works and energy to ensure my safety and that of my child will not go in vain on us. I will find him. I will bring him back. I won't rest until he is safe! And then, he will make you proud!" She vowed.Determined, Isabella set out into the woods, following her assumed trail left behind by the kidnappers.She was on her way, in the deepest part of the woods, searching endlessly. She had concluded that if she can't find anything that'll lead her to her child in the place she was, then, that means she haven't started her adventures to find her children yet.Isabella walked for a little more while and was relieved to see a man. The man was sitting down on a rock, which faced a stream.Isabella was breathless, "Excuse me, sir! Have you seen anyone pass through here?""You don't have any right to ask me that question. Leave right now! I'm not in the mood for chitchat." The man told her without sparing her a glance.Isabella lost guard and bursted into tears, the man was forced to turn back to her. She knew that no responsible man will like to see a woman cry, so she used that code on him."I'm searching for my child. He was taken from the playground, away from me!" She declared.Eli, the man gazed at Isabella with a mix of sympathy and concern. "Child, you say? That's a terrible thing to happen. I haven't seen anyone suspicious, but I can help you. Let's search together." He offered. "I'm Eli by the way."Isabella was relieved and grateful, "Thank you, Eli. I fear for his safety. I can't bear the thought of him being in harm's way."Eli placed a comforting hand on Isabella's shoulder. "We'll find your child, Isabella. I've seen my fair share of dangers in these woods. We must tread carefully and follow any signs we come across."Isabella nodded, "Yes, we must. He is my world, Eli. I will do whatever it takes to bring them back home safely."As Isabella and Eli ventured deeper into the woods, their search intensified. They encountered various obstacles along the way, but their determination remained unwavering."Are you sure they are closed by??" Eli questioned Isabella, already in doubt."I don't have any idea of their whereabouts Eli, I only know that I must find them. They are my main and only priority, I have no idea of where they can be but I know that they can't be that far from here." She sighed, "or just so I thought." She muttered the last part in her mind."They aren't close by, they are far gone." Eli muttered, being quick to find out the glaring reality."No! That can't be. My kid is just a feat away. All we have to do is to go get him!"Eli stopped walking. "I'm sorry but not so sorry, If you want to go get him as he is a feat away as you've noticed, then go get him and don't trouble me!""I'm sorry, I don't mean to get you angry." Isabella apologized."But you did! Do continue the search alone." He said and walked away leaving Isabella helpless and as well stranded.A day with bad luck for her.