Chapter 13

The night was cool and ominous as Daniel, Eleanor, and Thomas scoured the town in search of Oliver. Their footsteps echoed through the empty streets, their hearts heavy with worry and determination.

"We have to find him," Eleanor insisted, her voice laced with urgency. "We can't let them take him from us."

Daniel nodded, his jaw set with determination. "We won't stop until we find him," he vowed, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of the missing child.

Thomas's brow furrowed with concern as they searched. "Where do you think they could have taken him?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Eleanor shook her head, her mind racing with possibilities. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling with fear. "But we have to check everywhere."

With renewed determination, they split up, each taking a different route through the town in search of Oliver. They knocked on doors, questioned neighbors, and searched every alley and street corner, their hearts pounding with desperation.

Hours passed, but still, there was no sign of the missing child. Exhaustion weighed heavy on their shoulders as they pressed on, their determination the only thing driving them forward.

"We can't give up hope," Daniel said, his voice filled with conviction. "We'll find him, no matter what it takes."

As the night wore on, their search grew more frantic, their fear mounting with each passing moment. But still, they refused to give up, their bond growing stronger with each step they took.

Finally, just as they were about to lose hope, Thomas spotted something glinting in the moonlight. "Over there!" he screamed, pointing toward a nearby alley.

They raced toward the source of the light, their hearts pounding with anticipation. And there, huddled in the shadows, they found Oliver, safe and sound.

"We found him," Eleanor whispered, tears of gratitude streaming down her cheeks.

Relief flooded through them as they gathered around the boy, their arms enveloping him in a protective embrace. "You're safe now," Eleanor whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Oliver clung to her tightly, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I was so scared," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

"We won't let anyone hurt you," Daniel promised, his voice firm with determination.

Together, they made their way back to the safety of the manor, Oliver nestled securely in Eleanor's arms. And as they settled in for the night, their bond stronger than ever, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, as a family.

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room where Daniel, Eleanor, and Oliver sat together. Their faces were etched with concern as they listened intently to Oliver's story.

"Oliver, can you tell us what happened?" Daniel asked gently, his voice laced with worry.

Oliver shifted nervously in his seat, his eyes darting between Daniel and Eleanor. "I-I was playing outside," he began hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper. "And then grandpa came. He said he wanted to take me away."

Eleanor's heart clenched with fear as she listened to her son's words. "What did he say to you?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Oliver swallowed hard, his small hands fidgeting in his lap. "He said he was going to hurt you if I didn't go with him. Mama, I love you and I don't want to see you in pain. That's why I went with him. I am sorry, mama," he confessed, his voice quivering with fear.

Eleanor's breath caught in her throat, her eyes brimming with tears. "Oh, Oliver," she whispered, reaching out to wrap him in a comforting embrace. "You shouldn't have listened to him. Mama's strong, no matter what. You know that, right?" 

Oliver nodded his head."I know, mommy is the strongest mommy in the world," he said bashfully. Eleanor laughed and pulled him closer into her arms.

Daniel's jaw clenched with anger as he listened to Oliver's account. "We won't let anyone hurt you or your mother," he vowed, his voice firm with determination.

Oliver looked up at Daniel with wide eyes, his expression a mixture of fear and gratitude. "Promise?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Daniel nodded solemnly, his gaze unwavering. "I promise," he said, his voice filled with conviction.

Together, they sat in silence, the weight of Oliver's words hanging heavy in the air. And as they wrapped their arms around each other, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, as a family.