Dead & Lost: Final Return To Freedom

Where's Alexa?

A whole week passed now. Not only Cluj-Napoca, the group discovered a couple of neighboring cities as well.

Romania IS very beautiful. Not one can deny it!

It was 8:00 in the morning when everyone woke up and waited for the breakfast.

Asher and Ryan were at their own house. They had provided the group with everything which can make them feel at home.

Rosie prepared the breakfast herself. The kitchen window was open, Asher too was preparing breakfast in his kitchen at his place.

Alexa was playing outside near the road with her doll.

"Alexa! Don't go near the road". Rosie shouted as she fried the eggs on the fry pan.

Asher suddenly looked up at her and smiled. "A Monarch without a crown, I'm going to give you that crown Rosie". He conversed with himself.

"Hurry up everyone! Breakfast's ready".

Rosie summoned everyone in the dining room.

She set four dishes on the table..Michael entered."I'M ACTUALLY STARVING." He said before sitting at the table. William also came in.

"Good morning to all of you!". He smiled.

"Hello, brother".Michael retorted and started eating the breakfast like a ravenous canine.

"Sit down, Bro". Rosie said to William.

"Where's Alexa". William asked pulling the chair.

"She's playing outside". Rosie replied.

"I'll call her". Michael pushed the chair and stood up.

"Come back quick Michael. Breakfast's cold already". Rosie said from behind as Michael went out of the dining room.

"You may sit down my princess". William said to Rosie.

She smiled with a nod and sat down next to her brother.

A few minutes later.

"Michael hasn't come back". William was addressed by Rosie.

William sighed. "I'm going to check it out". He went out.

A few moments later, Rosie heard William shouting Alexa's name.She stood up to see but Michael returned. He seemed to be afraid and anxious. "R-Rosie!". His pulse was racing. Rosie gave him a glance. She observed his anxiety. "Michael, what is it? Where's Alexa?". Michael broke down in tears. "Michael? Tell me what happened? ". She became more curious.

"Michael! Is there a problem?".

Michael stooped. "Alexa isn't anywhere". He spoke. Rosie's eyes grew bigger. "I'm not being duped, Michael". She spoke.

"Rosie, I'm not kidding! There is no Alexa outdoors. I also examined my surroundings". Michael disapproved of Rosie.

"But she was outdoors on the yard playing!". Rosie cried out.

Michael and Rosie ran out.

They scanned the area. "Michael Are you certain? ".said Rosie. Michael gave her a glance. "Believe me, she is not here."

"ALEXA! WHERE ARE YOU? DADDY'S WAITING FOR YOU". William sobbed loudly. He fell down.

"Bro!". He was assisted by Michael in settling down on a large rock.

Where might she go? Rosie talked to herself. "ALEXA! DEAR ME! WHERE ARE YOU? ". She yelled. "Alexa!".

Asher and Ryan overheard the noise from outside while eating breakfast. Asher cast an inquisitive glance Ryan's way. "What's that?" He queried. Ryan paid attention to the voices. He understood it. "I hope all is well". They both went out in the street.

"What's up, bro?" Ryan questioned William about his sobs. Asher turned to face Rosie. Her cheeks were drenched in tears. "Rosie! Please let us know if everything is okay". He queried.

"Alexa's gone". She sobbed. Asher's interest started to wane. "What?". He spoke softly. "Where?". Ryan queried.

"We have no idea... She was playing outside while I was making the breakfast. She's not here anymore, though". Rosie answered.

To make sure once more, Michael looked to the yard.

"Perhaps she entered the house without anyone noticing... Maybe she's just hiding, right?" . Ryan questioned. "Well, it's conceivable". Asher concurred.

"She is nowhere to be found. I spent all of my time in the kitchen. I didn't see anyone entering". Rosie answered.

"When Rosie warned her not to walk far, I also noticed her in the lawn ".Asher added.

I want my daughter back". William wept.

"Bro, calm down! We'll locate her. She's very immature. Where was she able to go? She will be here somewhere". Ryan uttered.

"I discovered that there". Michael returned. In his hand, he held a doll. Rosie grabbed it. "It's the doll Alexa has! She adores it. She treats her toys with the utmost care and never throws it in such a way ". She spoke.

"Rosie, it's covered in blood." Michael grudgingly continued. They all turned to face him.

"No!!". William wept.

"Ryan, the girl is in trouble".Asher said. Ryan inhaled deeply while rubbing his forehead. "Michael! Once more, inspect the entire region.You might come across something else. Rosie! Go inspect the entire house. Asher! Go that way,(pointing to the road that leads to Hoia-Baciu) & I'll check in the neighborhood". Ryan ordered. Everyone followed orders and looked for Alexa.

Rosie went through the entire house. Nothing was present. Michael was unable to find any additional blood stains. Ryan returned empty-handed. However, Asher hadn't arrived yet.

Asher returned in a flash after thirty minutes. He was struggling to breathe as his heart was beating so fast. He dropped down on the ground.

Asher drank the water that Rosie provided.

After a while, when he was able to catch his breath again, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pendant that was golden in hue. "I found this". He gave it to Rosie. She was aware of it. "It is Alexa's pendent bearing a photo of both Bro and Ava". She sobbed.

"We should check out". Ryan suggested. "She's gone that way if you found the pendant there". Ryan gave a nod.

"You are correct. We must not squander any more time.We should go". said Rosie.

"I'll bring the car".Asher said and ran to his garage..

William was eerily quiet. He was remaining silent. He was as icy cold. "Are you alright?". Ryan enquired.

"He gets chilled whenever he's afraid." Rosie informed him.

Ryan tightened his fists.

He was close to cry after hearing Rosie's comment but he restrained himself. "William, don't worry. We'll find your daughter." He swallowed, turned and left.

Asher was driving the car while William sat in the passenger seat next to him. At the rear were Michael, Ryan, and Rosie. They thoroughly searched the region. Asher stopped the automobile a little more than two kilometres from the woodland. The group got out of the vehicle. Asher took them to the spot where he discovered the pendant. To observe, Rosie sat down. "Over here,too,there's blood". She spoke. Ryan sat back. "Hmm". He nodded. "We need to track her down. William and Michael will turn left. I will turn right. Asher and Rosie will head straight for the forest ". Ryan uttered. "Right". The crowd complied.

"Having lost Ava, I don't want to lose her".William said, during his search for Alexa.

"Don't worry bro, we'll locate her soon enough". Michael answered.

"Alexa! Girl? Are you there?Your Daddy and your Aunt are concerned. Alexa? You hear me". In an effort to find William's daughter, Ryan yelled.

"Michael was correct—choosing Cluj-Napoca wasn't the best move". While searching outside the woodland for her niece, Rosie sobbed.

"Rosie! It was written already... It's destiny. Don't cry, please! Stay calm; we'll find her. Ryan,my brother,is incredibly smart. He'll undoubtedly assist you in finding Alexa". Asher consoled.

"And what about you?Wouldn't you help us?". Rosie queried. Asher paused. He smiled as he turned to face Rosie. "That's not what I meant. I'm a doctor. Ryan is a spy since he is so knowledgeable about this kind of thing. I'll be on your side whenever you're in distress, let me assure you of that. I'll always do my best to assist you". said Asher.

"Thanks". Rosie attempted to smile.

"Let's stop wasting time right now".Asher continued. They conducted scattered searches. Asher made an unexpected discovery close to the Hoia-Baciu woodland.

"ROSIE". He yelled. Rosie turned back. "What?"

"COME HERE. I discovered a thing ". At Asher, Rosie ran.

"It's a shoe".He spoke. Rosie's eyes grew bigger. "Alexa owns it".She spoke.

"Oh my God, that's bad". Asher chewed his lower lip while gazing up at the forest. Rosie shifted Asher's gaze in her direction.

"She obviously went in there," He answered. Rosie collapsed on the ground and sobbed aloud."No! Alexa!".

"Rosie!Stop it". Asher said. "Let's return to the group."

"Why do you say that? Without finding her, I won't go anywhere". Rosie sprang to her feet and dashed towards the woods. "Alexa!". The still woodland resonated with her voice. Asher followed her.

"Hey! Rosie!! Stop... It's risky to enter that area". Asher seized her arm and drew her close to him. He clung to her firmly.

"Let go of me". Rosie pounded Asher's chest until he released her. "Leave me". She sobbed as she bowed her head.

"Rosie, pay attention to what I say: First, we discovered her doll, then the pendant, and now her shoe. Alexa wasn't by herself. Somebody took her forcefully". said Asher. Rosie gulped. Who might it be? Her agitation subsided.

"We'll discover that. Rosie, believe me. As quickly as possible, we should report to the police station ". Asher replied. It is a case of kidnapping.

"Then, let's go." said Rosie. Asher nodded before releasing her from his embrace.

They returned to the vehicle. Ryan, Michael, and William had already arrived. The three of them were told everything. Asher and Ryan agreed that Alexa's disappearance was a "kidnapping case".