{CHAPTER NINE}

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"Ma'am, Phil is missing."

The nanny's voice quivered with fear as she spoke through the phone, her voice laced with worry.

"Mom's voice fired through the phone at the sudden information from the nanny, "What!"

"Ma'am, Phil is missing. I've searched everywhere, but he's nowhere to be found," the nanny muttered, trembling in tears as she spoke.

Mom shouted in a fit of rage, "What do you mean my son is missing!"

Phil's nanny, who was in shock, found herself in a state of perplexity as she had already scoured the premises but failed to locate him.

His teacher had disclosed a troubling detail—Phil had departed in the company of an individual who purported to be his Uncle.

The Nanny's voice trembled as she revealed in a hushed tone, "The teacher had shared with me that he departed with a young man claiming to be his Uncle."

"What young man! What Uncle!? Phil doesn't even have an Uncle! Where's my Phil!" Mom screamed so loud, tears streaming down her face.

The nanny muttered tremulously, "I've got no clue, Ma'am. I'm as baffled and shaken as you are."

Mom choked out the words through the phone, "Do not move an inch, I'm heading your way."

Mom swiftly grabbed her car keys, ready to head out and meet the nanny. However, in her hurry, we collided, our eyes locking in a sudden intense standoff.

"Whoa! Slow down, Mom. Why the rush? What's the problem?" I inquired, my tone a mixture of apprehension and intrigue.

Mom stood motionless, tears glistening in her eyes, unable to find the words to explain the distress.

"Mom, please, tell me, what's going on? Why are you crying?" I pleased, placing my hands on Mom's hand, my voice filled with so much worry and confusion.

"Your brother, Hanna, your brother Phil is missing,"she stabbed the words out of her trembling lips.

My heart raced as my eyes widened in sheer disbelief, a surge of emotions flooding through me as I anxiously inquired, "What do you mean, Mom? What do you mean Phil is missing?"

"The nanny just called. She said she couldn't find Phil and that he left with a young man, who claimed to be his uncle," she poured her heart out, clutching my hand tightly, unraveling every detail with unwavering passion.

"I'm confused, what Uncle?" I inquired, completely caught off guard by Mom's words.

"I don't know sweetie, I'm in total confusion as well. I'm heading there to find out."

I firmly stated, "Then I'm driving, can't let you drive in this state, swiftly taking the key from her hand."

The drive to Phil's school was a haunting journey, filled with with an oppressive silence that seemed to stretch on endlessly. Mom's uncontrollable sobs reverberated through the car, a stark reminder of the deep fear that gripped our heart, the weight of the situation pressed down upon us, instilling a sense of foreboding over our thoughts.

The drive felt like eternity as we grappled with fear of what might happen to Phil.

"Where's Phil, where's my boy!" In agony, Mom's voice brimmed with desperation and panic as she hastily exited the car.

"Hang on, Mom!" I yelled, my heart racing in my chest as I rushed to catch up with her.

Suddenly, the nanny emerged into sight, rushing to aid Mom, who had tripped in her hurried pace.

"Why's no one answering me! Please, tell me. Where's Phil?" she implored, her gaze pleading as she gazed up at the nanny who was graciously aiding her back onto her feet.

Phil's teacher, who had been silently observing from the corner, finally made their way towards us to share the unfolding events, her demeanor poised yet tinged with fear as she confessed her astonishment upon learning from the nanny that Phil didn't have an uncle. With a sense of urgency, she mentioned the swift actions of the school authorities already involving the police.

Just as I teetered on the brink of reaching my mother, my phone shrilly rang, abruptly immersing me into the cascading sequence of events.

I hastened to answer, presuming it was Lisa calling on the other end.

In a trembling voice, I frantically spoke through my tears, "Lisa, Phil. He's missing. We can't find him. The teacher just told us that a young man claimed to be his uncle took him."

"No, Han... it's."

Before the person I thought was Lisa could get a word in, I blurted out. "Lisa, can I give you a ring later? The cops just showed up." I ended the call abruptly.

Upon the arrival of the cops, we didn't waste a second. We sprang into action, ready to track down Phil. Our optimism soared as we set out on our mission, determined to bring Phil home safe and sound. Just then, my phone buzzed once more, and it was Lisa calling this time.

"Lisa, I promised to ring you back," I muttered wearily, shaking my head in exhaustion.

Lisa chimed in immediately, her voice hinting at confusion. "Promised to call me back? When? And why do you sound this way?" she inquired in genuine concern.

"I thought I told you right when you called," I reiterated, taken aback by her questions.

Lisa, utterly lost, shot back, "Told me what? And rang you when? You're really making me confused, Hanna."

Baffled by Lisa's words, I quickly skimmed through my call log, only to realize that the first caller wasn't Lisa but actually Jackson.

In that moment, I was utterly surprised by Jackson's call, particularly considering the recent mall incident. Yet, I couldn't linger on the event at that moment; my primary concern was pinpointing the whereabouts of my brother, Phil.

I relayed the entire sequence of events to Lisa, and she promptly offered to meet with me.

In a sudden turn of events, Jackson was left stunned at the abrupt hang-up, completely caught off guard by the sudden end of the call, processing the shocking news of Phil's  disappearance.

Amidst the chaos of thoughts swirling in his mind, one name stood out like a beacon of suspicion—his uncle, whose menacing threats loomed large in the backdrop of Hanna and her family's lives.

However, a sense of  uncertainty crept in as details pointed towards a young man, eliminating his Uncle from the immediate suspect.

Lost in a labyrinth of contemplation, Jackson, embarked on a journey to his Uncle's abode, bracing himself to confront the enigma surrounding Phil's mysterious disappearance.

In a whirlwind entrance, Jackson bombed into his Uncle, his voice brimming with urgency as he thundered heavily, "Where's the boy!"

Upon laying eye on Jackson, his Uncle leisurely extinguished his cigarette, as he remarked, "Ah, you've finally caught on."

"You know Uncle, I had my doubts that it wasn't you, cause I heard he was taken by a young man, but seeing how hesitant you are, it's definitely clear you're involved," Jackson expressed in total disbelief.

"I warned you, remember? The blame isn't on me; it's on you for the boy's disappearance. And brace yourself because this is merely the start. Next, I'm coming for the girl."

"Uncle!" Jackson's voice raged through the room. "Why did it have to get to this point? Just to rush me into action? I did mention we should handle this with caution."

"Why the need for caution? Is there a love story brewing?" his uncle provocatively inquired, tapping the handle of his seat with his finger.

"Uncle!" Jackson's voice rang out, frustration evident in his tone. "How many times do I have to say it? I'm not in love with her, and I can never be in love with her!"

"If you're not in love with her, then you should swiftly proceed with the plan and stop acting like a loser!" his Uncle shouted back, mirroring his yells.

"Fine! I'll do it!" Jackson's voice trailed off slowly, the tension in the room perceptible. "But you need to release the boy first," he stated firmly, his resolve unwavering as he calmed himself from the earlier outburst.

"That's not a problem at all. I'll get him released. Just make sure to do your part and do it fast. Time is running out on us," his Uncle responded confidently, his voice steady and determined, showing his urgency to the plan at hand.

Just as Jackson was on the verge of departing, he suddenly came to a standstill, a thought striking him. He turned back to his uncle and questioned,

"And who's the young man assisting you? I thought it was just us in on this."

"Your primary focus should lie in summoning the courage to ask the young lady out and, ultimately, in the prospect of marrying her," his Uncle advised, donning a sly grin as he redirected his gaze to the cigarette cradled between his fingers.

Phil was eventually located by the authorities, frolicking with the aquatics life at the nearby school pond. His demeanor showed no signs of harm; instead, he appeared content and delighted with his playful antics.

Seeing Phil, Mother extended her hand in a gesture of embrace, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Oh my goodness, thank heavens," she sighed, with an overwhelming relief of gratitude.

"Phil, where on earth have you been?" I questioned, my body subtly leaning in his direction, a wave of relief washing over my heart.

Phil replied softly, "I was in the school pod, playing with the fishes," his demeanor exuding a carefree tranquility.

Softly touching his cheeks, Mom also questioned, "Who were you playing with, Phil? Hmm?"

Struggling to speak, barely able to form the words, Phil mumbled with his mom's hands still on his cheeks. "With uncle, he got me Ice cream, and he was so fun."

"Where's this uncle, did Uncle tell you his name?" I quipped, feeling a sense of unease about the situation. I desired to find this "uncle" and have him questioned by the authorities.

Phil shrugged nonchalantly, "He took off without even sharing his name," he muttered, seemingly unfazed by the situation."

"Where..." I wanted to press on with my questions, but was cut off by mom.

"That's enough sweetie. As long as my boy is safe and sound, it's all that counts to me," she reassured with a soft smile.

"Alright, mom," I smiled back. I knew I had to give in to her request; all I could do was be thankful that he was found safe and unharmed.

The atmosphere gradually eased as the tension dissipated, and suddenly, Jackson's call, initially mistaken for Lisa's, resurfaced in my thoughts. Contemplating the idea of contacting him to unravel the event at the mall, I hesitated, feeling that the current moment wasn't conducive for such conversation.

Given the lateness of time, Lisa had to seek refuge at my place, finding it impractical to return home at such late hour.