Unexpected call

Before he could voice his thoughts, the man placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, imparting a sense of reassurance that cut through the lingering doubts.

"I will not reveal your secret to anyone, Kenny," the man promised, his gaze unwavering as he held Kenny's gaze with a silent understanding.

Kenny exchanged a surprised glance with Tony and Emma before turning back to the hat man. "Who are you?" he blurted out, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.

The hat man's smile widened, "Come after four o'clock in the evening tomorrow here," he whispered cryptically before turning to leave the coffee shop, his hat casting a mysterious silhouette against the setting sun. And with that, the Hatman turned and made his way out of the coffee shop, leaving Kenny standing on the threshold of a new chapter in his life.

As the Hat man left the coffee shop, Kenny felt a sense of unease settling over him. He knew that something ominous was about to happen, but he had no idea what it could be.

After finishing their coffee, the three friends left the coffee shop and started walking home together. Kenny and Tony noticed Emma's quiet demeanor and exchanged concerned glances.

"Emma, what's on your mind?" Kenny asked, breaking the silence.

Emma hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. "I've been trying to find out more about my father," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kenny and Tony shared a knowing look. They had sensed Emma's longing to uncover the mystery of her father for a while now.

"We'll help you, Emma," Kenny and Tony reassured her, his tone firm and unwavering.

As they walked down the dimly lit streets, Emma clutched the locket in her hand– the only connection she had to her father. Etched on the back were the initials "JD."

The locket was the only connection, but it was also a painful reminder of her father's memory. Although Emma tried to hold herself together, Kenny could see the cracks in her façade, and it made his heart ache for her.

"Have you thought any more about what you're going to do with the locket?" Tony asked, an eager curiosity in his voice. He leaned in, his expression a mix of concern and intrigue.

Emma sighed, her eyes glazing over momentarily. "I don't know, Tony. I want to believe it holds some sort of answer, like a key to finding my dad," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's been so long."

"Come on, Emma. It's just a locket," Tony said with a gentle smile. "You can't put all that weight on it. Maybe it's time to let go, you know?"

"I can't!" Emma snapped, more vehemently than she intended. "I just… wish I could have a moment with him again. Just to hear his voice.

Kenny, asked Emma, "So, have you thought about what you'll say when you finally find him?" he asked, leaning forward with an encouraging grin.

Emma sighed deeply, a shadow passing over her usually bright demeanor. "I don't know. What can I say? 'Hey, Dad, where have you been for so long?' He just vanished without a trace." Her voice cracked as she clutched the locket tightly, as if the pressure could somehow squeeze out answers.

Kenny watched her unease bloom, a clear vision creeping into his mind—a glimpse of their future conversation, one minute ahead. He could see Emma's eyes brimming with tears, and in that moment, he made a decision. "What if we try to find some clues about him in your home?; could there be something hidden in it?" he suggested, steering the conversation away from the emotional spiral it was heading towards.

"Maybe you're right. The locket… it belonged to him. I should take a closer look," Emma replied, her voice regaining some strength. She stared intently at the intricate designs engraved on its surface.

"Let's head to your house Emma and we'll check it thoroughly," Tony chimed in, ever the supportive friend, eager to revive their spirits.

They walked along the tree-lined path leading to Emma's home, with its white picket fence and blooming roses.

As they approached Emma's house, they could see the warm glow of the porch light shining through the trees. But as they reached the front door, they heard voices coming from inside.

Emma's eyes widened in surprise. "My mom must have unexpected guests," she said, her brow furrowed in confusion. She turned to Kenny and Tony. "I guess we'll have to wait until they leave before we can go inside."

Kenny and Tony exchanged glances, both feeling a sense of unease at the thought of intruding on Emma's family gathering. Emma's mother was a kind woman, but she was also known for her strict rules about privacy.

"Let's do it another day," Tony suggested in front of Emma's house. Emma nodded in agreement. The three parted ways, each lost in their own thoughts as they walked towards their respective homes.

Emma went inside her home and joined with her mother and started chatting with the guests. Meanwhile, Tony had reached his home.

As Kenny unlocked the front door of his house, he felt a sudden chill. It was as if someone was watching him, hiding in the shadows. Shaking off the feeling, he stepped inside, greeted by his uncle Simon.

The night passed slowly, the town enveloped in darkness as the residents slept soundly in their beds. But for Kenny, Tony, and Emma, the night held something more, something lurking in the shadows of mystery, waiting to reveal itself.

Next morning Rubbing his eyes sleepily, Kenny stretched out lazily before swinging his legs off the bed and padding down the hallway towards the inviting aroma of breakfast cooking in the kitchen.

As he entered the kitchen, the sight of his Uncle Simon bustling around the stove greeted him warmly. The sizzle of eggs in the pan and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, making Kenny's stomach grumble with anticipation. Simon, with a smile that could light up a room, turned around at the sound of Kenny's footsteps and greeted him with a hearty good morning.

"Morning, Kenny?" Simon asked, his voice laced with affection as he flipped the eggs expertly in the pan. Kenny nodded, his face breaking into a smile at the sight of his favorite breakfast being prepared with love by his uncle.

As they settled down at the kitchen table to enjoy their meal, a sudden shrill ring pierced through the peaceful morning. Simon's expression changed, his brow furrowing in confusion as he reached for the phone. Kenny watched curiously as Simon answered the call, his heart beating a little faster at the serious tone in his uncle's voice.