BETWEEN LOVE AND LOSS

It was a gloomy evening, the sun having retired to rest. A silent breeze whispered through the trees, leaving its airy presence behind. Lily loved the evenings. It was always her favorite part of the day because she could play without her mum worrying about her health and— “Lily!” Her mum called from the house. “It’s time to come inside.” “Okay, Mum, but can I play a little longer?” “No, Lily, remember you promised.” Yes, she remembered—the promise not to spend more than two hours outside. “Mum, count to ten and I’ll be in.” “I’m not playing games with you, Lily. Get inside now!” “Okay, Mummy,” she said with a disappointed tone. Sharon, Lily’s mum, prepared the table for dinner as she called out to her again. Lily was a very healthy girl. Ever since she was born, Sharon had hardly taken her to the hospital for any real health issue. But as a mother… she could never stop worrying. Even if there was no reason to, it was her job to be concerned. The table was set. “Where’s Lily?” Sharon muttered, glancing toward the door. She stepped out onto the front porch where Lily usually played. “Lily? Lily!” Silence. Her chest tightened. She hurried to the backyard. No sign of her daughter. Fear clawed its way through her body. Running back to the front yard for another search, Sharon’s eyes caught something on the ground. Lily’s glasses. Her hand shook as she picked them up. “No… no, no, no.” Her voice trembled, refusing to believe what her eyes told her. With a scream that split the quiet evening, she cried out her daughter’s name. “LiiiiiiilYYYYY!” But it was too late. She was GONE! “Just a little more… and—now!” A loud thud echoed as Ben and his team set down the final piece of equipment. “Wow, that was a heavy one,” Randolph groaned behind him. “The heaviest,” Ben replied with a small smile, wiping his brow. He loved this part of the job—the moment where everything came together, where he could admire the work of his own hands. If only the pay matched the satisfaction. He turned to his team. “That’s it for today. Good work, everyone. See you tomorrow.” Ben was slinging his bag over his shoulder when his phone rang. Sharon. He answered with an easy tone. “Hi, Sharon—” “She was right there…” Sharon’s voice cracked. “I called her name… she said she’d be in…” Her words tumbled out, broken and frantic. “Sharon? Slow down, what’s wrong?” “She was right there, Ben. "Right there!” she sobbed. “Now—now she’s gone. I can’t find her. I checked everywhere! I only found her glasses… in the backyard. But she’s not there. She’s not there!” Ben froze. His heart slammed against his ribs, his mouth went dry. “Lily?” he whispered, as if saying her name aloud might steady him. “Ben, I can’t—” “I’m coming over now,” he cut in, already racing for the door. Call the police. Do it now.” The phone nearly slipped from his sweaty hands as he fumbled with his keys. He jumped into his car, started the engine, and shot out of the parking lot, tires screeching. Gone? How? Why? His mind spun. kidn*pped? But who would want to take his daughter? Why Lily? He pressed harder on the accelerator, every nerve burning with terror. Somewhere out there, his little girl was alone—or worse. And Ben wasn’t going to waste a single second.