I stared out the kitchen window, my heart a tangled mess of worry and guilt. The sun was just beginning to set, casting long shadows over our backyard, but inside, darkness loomed. Gianna had been gone for days, and with each passing hour, my anxiety grew. Ethan’s sombre silence weighed heavily on me—he missed his sister dearly, and his sadness only mirrored my own.

I had done everything to shield my children from the harsh truths of our world, but now I was faced with the consequences of those decisions. The secret of Calida—Gianna’s older sister—had haunted me for years, a constant reminder of my failure as a mother. I should have told Gianna about Calida, about the fire that had taken her away. Instead, I kept the truth buried, believing it was the best way to protect her.

Now, with Gianna in a place I didn’t fully understand, I was left grappling with the repercussions of my choices. Ethan’s quiet questions about his sister’s whereabouts cut deep, and I struggled to find the right words to comfort him. The weight of my decisions pressed heavily upon me, and I couldn’t escape the nagging thought that my failures had led us to this point.

Natalie’s knock on the door was sharp and insistent, cutting through the tension that had settled in the house. I opened it to find her standing there, eyes wide with concern. "Do you know where Gianna is?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

I shook my head, unable to offer her the comfort I wanted to. The reality of Gianna's disappearance had sunk in deeply. Natalie and I exchanged glances, both of us feeling the crushing weight of helplessness. Determined not to let this fear paralyze us, we sprang into action. We grabbed the missing posters we had hastily printed and began plastering them all over town. As we worked, the crisp spring air seemed to carry our desperation from one street corner to the next.

The whole time, I was battling an undercurrent of anger and frustration. William had always put his projects before everything else, and now, his obsession had directly endangered our daughter. I could no longer pretend to support his decisions when they had led to this. My focus was solely on finding Gianna, and nothing else mattered.

We worked tirelessly, our hands working faster than our minds could keep up. With each poster we pinned up, I felt a surge of defiance. I wasn’t going to wait for William’s approval or direction. He had failed to protect Gianna, and now it was up to me to make sure she knew she was not alone, no matter what.

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As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the town, I felt a mix of determination and sorrow. We were putting up posters in every visible spot, making sure every passerby saw Gianna’s face. Each stapled corner felt like a small act of rebellion against the injustice of it all. Natalie’s steady presence helped, her silent support a reminder that I wasn’t in this fight alone.

In the end, it wasn’t just about finding Gianna; it was about reclaiming control in a situation where I felt powerless. I was determined to show Gianna that no matter how dark things seemed, there were people who cared and were fighting for her, even if her own father was too consumed by his ambitions to see it.

I thanked Natalie for her help and watched as she walked away, her figure gradually disappearing down the street. Feeling the weight of the day’s events, I decided to find a moment of calm in a nearby café. The small, cozy place had always been a retreat, with its warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked cookies and brewing coffee. I found a quiet corner, ordered my usual—a rich cup of coffee and a few of their signature cookies—and sank into the comfort of a well-worn armchair.

Then, as I waited for my coffee, my eyes caught sight of a familiar face. It was Bethari Frost, an old friend I hadn’t seen in ages. I felt a wave of relief at the chance encounter.

“Bethari!” I called out, a genuine smile breaking through my worried expression. She looked up, her eyes lighting up with recognition. We quickly fell into conversation, catching up on old times.

As we chatted, Bethari mentioned something that caught my attention. “I recently sent my daughter, Fiona, to a new school,” she said. “It’s called Aegis Academy. Have you heard of it?”

I shook my head, curiosity piqued. “No, I haven’t. What’s it like?”

Bethari’s eyes twinkled with a mix of excitement and concern. “It’s quite unique. It’s a special place for children with extraordinary abilities. Fiona told me she’s met a girl there named Gianna Cloud. Is she related to you?”

My heart skipped a beat. Could it be that my Gianna was at this mysterious school? I didn’t have much information, but this was the first lead I’d gotten in days. I thanked Bethari for the information, my mind racing with possibilities.

I leaned in, my curiosity burning. “Bethari, do you know how I can get to this Aegis Academy? It’s so important for me to find Gianna, and this might be the only lead I have.”

Bethari’s expression softened with understanding. “Of course. I can give you the directions. It’s a bit of a drive from here, but I can show you the way. We’re headed that direction, so why don’t you join me?”

Grateful, I nodded. We finished our coffee and cookies, then followed Bethari out to her car. The drive was filled with nervous anticipation and occasional small talk. Bethari directed me with calm assurance, and as we approached the academy, I could feel my heart racing.

Finally, we arrived at a gated entrance. The gate opened slowly, revealing a picturesque view beyond—a sprawling campus with modern buildings and lush green grounds. My breath caught in my throat as the car continued through, and I saw the grandeur of the academy that might just hold the answers I’ve been desperately seeking.