The house felt quiet again after Ryan left his room Clara stayed on the bed for a while Staring at the wall Thinking about the way Ryan looked Tired Angry Lost She sighed and stood up She needed to distract herself She walked out of the room and went to the sitting room Mrs Harrison was there Sitting quietly Her cup of tea untouched “Ma,” Clara called softly Mrs Harrison looked up and smiled faintly “Good morning my dear” Clara sat beside her “You didn’t sleep well too” Mrs Harrison shook her head slowly “No sleep comes easy in this house anymore” They both stayed quiet for a moment Then footsteps came from the hallway Clara uncle walked out again He looked restless He checked his phone Put it back in his pocket Then checked it again Mrs Harrison watched him Her eyes followed every movement “Are you okay,” she asked him Clara uncle forced a smile “Yes, I’m fine” But his voice sounded tight He walked toward the door Th

Ryan opened the door slowly He stepped into the living room The first thing he saw was Eric Sitting Relaxed Like he owned the place Ryan froze His heart jumped His eyes darkened For a moment nobody spoke The room felt tight Heavy Like the walls were listening Ryan looked from Eric to Clara’s uncle Then to Mrs Harrison Then to Clara and Ava Everyone avoided his eyes Except Eric Eric smiled Wide Mocking “So you are back,” Eric said Ryan did not reply immediately He dropped his car keys on the table The sound was loud Sharp “Why is he here,” Ryan asked calmly But his voice was shaking Clara swallowed Mrs Harrison opened her mouth Closed it again Clara’s uncle cleared his throat “Ryan,” he said, “Sit down first” Ryan laughed A dry laugh “No,” he said, “I will not sit” He stepped closer His eyes fixed on Eric “Why is he here,” Ryan repeated Eric crossed his legs “I was invited,” he said Ryan clenched his

Ryan could not sleep all night, the thoughts about Clara’s uncle, Eric, Adrian, the company, and the kidnappers kept spinning in his mind, he got up early and decided he had to see Deputy Cole again, he needed advice, someone he could trust, someone who had experience, he got dressed quietly, careful not to wake Clara or Mrs Harrison, he walked outside and got into his car, the air was cool, the streets empty, he drove slowly, thinking about what he would say, what he would ask, what he could do, he knew this visit was importantWhen he arrived at the police station, the lights were on, people moving inside, the usual noises of phones ringing, officers talking, footsteps echoing, Ryan walked up to the front desk, "I need to see Deputy Cole," he said quietly, the receptionist nodded, "he is in his office," she replied, Ryan thanked her and walked down the corridor, his shoes making soft sounds on the floor, he felt tense, his mind racing, he knocked gently on the office door, "come in,

The house was quiet that night Too quiet Clara slept beside Ryan but her body was restless She turned from one side to another Her heart was heavy even in sleep Then the dream came In the dream, Clara was standing inside the house Their house The same living room The same chairs The same curtains But something felt wrong The air was thick Hot Hard to breathe She looked around and noticed smoke Thin at first Then thicker She called out “Ryan” No answer “Ava” No answer She walked toward the kitchen The walls started turning black The smell of burning filled her nose Then she saw fire Real fire It started small On the curtain Then it spread fast The flames climbed the walls They touched the ceiling They moved like they were alive Clara screamed “Ryan” Her voice echoed but nobody answered She ran toward the stairs Her feet felt heavy Like the floor was pulling her down The fire followed her Faster Angrier

The house was quiet that afternoon Too quiet Clara was in the living room She was folding clothes slowly Her mind was not fully there Mrs Harrison was in the kitchen She was washing plates Her movements were slow Ava was in her room Reading Trying to focus But she kept remembering everything The doorbell rang Clara froze She looked at the door Mrs Harrison also stopped what she was doing “Who could that be” she asked Clara stood up She walked slowly to the door Her heart was beating fast She opened it Eric was standing there Clara’s eyes widened Her body became stiff Eric looked tired His face was thin His eyes looked restless “Clara” he said quietly She did not answer Mrs Harrison came out of the kitchen The moment she saw Eric Her face changed “What are you doing here” she asked Eric lowered his head “I came to talk” Before anyone could say anything Ava rushed out of her room She saw Eric Her face turned red