Chapter 94  Some folks got tricked into coming, while others were dragged in against their will. It was as inevitable as day turning into night. Every day, life and death played out their relentless dance.  As the sunlight touched my skin, I felt a strange sensation, like my body was becoming just a tad more see–through. Was this a sign that I was disappearing? Was there a possibility that I might escape this nightmare? A mix of relief and worry washed over me. As much as I wanted out, I couldn’t shake the thought of my family.  Nicole was up to something bigger than just targeting me. After what she pulled with Grandma, it was clear she was going after the whole Kennedy clan. First, she drove a wedge between me and my loved ones, and then she took me out, hurting Grandma in the process. Who was next? My brothers? My parents? What was her endgame?  I let go of my obsession with Chase, shifting my focus entirely to my family’s safety. While we were all caught up in our own thoughts, the manager returned in a hurry. He flicked away his cigarette butt, a sheen of sweat on his brow.  How’d it go?” Chase was quick to ask.  Still–catching his breath, the manager replied, “I checked everywhere. She hasn’t entered any of the parks.”  Chase’s face was a picture of disbelief. “Are you sure? Could something have slipped through the cracks?”  The manager chuckled dryly. “You’re underestimating us. Our info network is so tight. Not even an ant gets by unnoticed. Plus, with her looks, alive or dead, she’d stand out.”  Taking a sip of his tea, he added, “If it wasn’t for this fancy Rolex, I wouldn’t have bothered.”  L  Chase took a step back. He had braced himself for finding me somewhere in those parks. The worst scenario he’d imagined was finding me harmed but at least still alive. But now, with no trace of me, it meant I was still out there, missing. Maybe even gone for good.  That thought darkened Chase’s expression.  My dad, although shaken, was holding it together better than Chase. He licked his dry lips and spoke up, “Young man, since you’re here, could you lend us a hand? To be blunt, my daughter’s been missing for over twenty days. I know you’ve got connections. If you can help us find her, I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded.”  “Twenty days?” The manager frowned, “If she’s your daughter, why’d it take so long to start looking? No offense, but with her looks, she’ll be in deep trouble if she’s fallen into the wrong hands. There are parks not just here but overseas too, and they’re even rougher out there.”  His words hit hard, like a wake–up call. If they’d started looking sooner, maybe I wouldn’t have vanished without a trace.  “Alright, I’ve taken your money and I gotta do what I can. I’ll keep you posted. You came to collect someone and haven’t found her, But you’ll still need to pay the ransom and take one girl back with you. Can’t have my guys working for nothing, right?”  “Got it,” my dad nodded. Suddenly struck by a thought, he recalled a familiar face in the crowd.  “I know who to take back!” he said, heading back to the room and pointing to a bewildered Ann. “I know this girl. She used to be tight with Amanda. Maybe she knows where Amanda is.”