Amy p.o.v

I open the curtains to allow the orange afternoon sun to enter the dark, yet cozy room. I squint and  become a little disappointed when I notice that the windows are barred with thick burglar gaurds only allowing the sun to seep through the patterned spaces, creating beams that strike on the warm wooden floors.

I take a deep breath and get the smell of varnished wood. "Well you seem to be in a good mood.", Sabby walks over to me. I shrug and turn over to where Layla sits as she admires the fresh mink flowers in a tall vase alongside her bed. "This place has a very homely feeling.", I reply to Sabby.

"And plus, I couldn't stand another minute in that cruise. Just to think about the fact that Malak was murdered there gives me the shivers.", Layla replies, "This feels like one if those horror movies."

"Well Sabby how did your dad take it in?", I ask. She sighs. "I told him and he cut the call. He is in a lot of pain."
I nod. I sit down on the soft bed and allow the beams of sunlight to dance on my toes. "So do we get any dinner or do we swallow down this junk", Layla groans as she opens another packet of chips.

"Apparently, everyone eats together at that huge dining table downstairs at dinner time.", Sabby explains. I raise a brow. "And when exactly is dinner time?", Layla squeals. "At around 7:30pm, dinner will be served. Lets just have a look around in the mean time.", I suggest and they accept the offer immediately. 

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Detective Brian P.O.V

I walk down the small corridor to the kitchen as my throat begins to burn with thirst. It is quite hot as the temperature on my phone reads 41°C. I open the sliding door to the kitchen and ask the only chef if I could have a glass of iced water.

The chef, an African male around his late 20s nods towards the huge cooler room and I open the door, glad for the cool air that washes over my face. I hear footsteps behind me  and turn when I hear the chef order the person to place a pile of ice cream tubs on the counter.

He freezes for a second when he spots me, his blue eyes scanning my face. After a second or so he composes himself and lets out a nervous smile. I let out a genuine smile and put forth my hand. "Jameel. Nice to meet you. I am Brian, I am sure Amanda told you about me."

He grips my hand firmly and chuckles. "I know. She didn't have to tell me about you. I knew you well enough to know when to stay clear from you." I chuckle at his words and pat his back before I tell him that I know everything about him from Amy. Amy wanted me to know that he was her brother and that he was not a criminal. Although I do not agree with his ways of breaking the law a few times...now is not the time for me to bring that up.

"I am glad to know that there is someone on my side. Someone to back me up and someone that I don't have to lie to.", he whispers. I nod,"But there is someone out there. Someone who is dangerous and I need your help to catch that monster.", I plead. He nods. "As much as it is important to you, it is important to me.", Jameel smiles and nods before he gets back to the tubs of ice cream.

I may not have the police or crime investigators by my side but after what this boy has been through, he would be a great asset to this case. I leave the kitchen with the cold bottle in my hand and start towards my room when I spot a familliar friendly face and turn to her direction. 

She stands on the porch and stares at the wilderness outside. "Mariah?", I shout. The dimples on her face appear  when she spots me. "Enjoying the view alone?", I ask and join her. "Well I was just admiring those Baobab trees. I love them. They are so beautiful.", she coos and then sulks. "Why are you sulking? What happened?", I ask.

She looks at me annoyed, "Well, I wanted to have a closer look at those trees and you know, take pictures and stuff, but the security gaurd stopped me and told me that I was not allowed down there", she sulks even more and pouts.

I feel so sorry for her and she looks so cute that I can't help but feel bad for her. Then an idea pops in my head. "Well I am an official detective. Do you think that they would stop me?", I ask and she widens her eyes and smiles again. I nudge her arm and wink. "Lets go." And we both walk down the steps of the small porch and onto the grass. We notice the gaurds laughing at a joke and slowly walk past them until we are  clear of them before bursting out in a fit of laughter.

"Careful", I tell her as she jumps over the wired fencing after me and we carefully trot down towards those tall trees. "Oh it's so beautiful!", she exclaims and takes a selfie. I chuckle.
She then stands straight, "I think someone is coming.", she whispers. I look around but spot no one.

"There is nobody. Relax Mariah.", but as soon as the words come out of my mouth, I hear voices in the distance. "Maybe you are right. I think we should get out of here. I just wonder why the security is so tight around here.", I question out loud. Just as we are about to leave, I hear the voice say the word Amanda. Wait did I hear correct? Amanda.

Instinctively I pulled Mariah down to hide with me behind the bush. She kicks my abdomen until I realise that my hand was covering her mouth very tightly. Immediately, I let go. "Sorry", I whisper and put my finger to my lips indicating for her to keep quiet.

"What are we doing here?", she ignores me, "lets go...we will get caught."  "Shhh!", I persist. So she remains quiet as I try to get a glimpse of the people talking.

"Are you sure?", the first person asks. "Yes! As of now Amy is in the family lounge with her friends", the second familliar voice echoes. "Good. I want you to keep an eye on her." They walk closer and the face of the owner, Mr Cooper's face comes to view. I look over his shoulder and my eyes widen when I see the other person. "Don't worry Mr Cooper. I have been doing just that this whole time."