No more secrets...

February 2nd,

Firstly, I want to wish myself a happy new month because, things haven't been happy.

I woke up today with a stronger resolve of finding Dany. I mean, it seems like it's up to us- Tony, Lissa and I. And school's resuming next week! I'm in the 10th grade together with Dany, Tony and Lissa and we have to start preparing for school. But I don't know how I'll do that with a clear mind.

Lord, help me overcome this trepidation that seems to overwhelm me right now. Father show us Your Mercy and help us find Dany soon. Even if her parents are careless, I know they really care deep down and it'll be a double tragedy to loose Dany too....Lord help us this day, Amen.

Lissa told me earlier that she and Tony wouldn't be able to visit me as often as they used to, because they had to start preparing for school and I totally understood them. So we had to be very quick with our plans to help find Dany and we've also decided to follow Uncle Hugo. Last night, I saw him leave the house and although a part of me thought he'd be going to the wierd house next door, he didn't go there eventually and my suspicions increased. We had to do something! Uncle would definitely know where she was!

Thankfully, Tony and Lissa were able to come over today and they told their parents they were going to have a sleepover so our plans to follow Uncle Hugo, began.

"Sandy, I think you should tell your brother about all these. He can't be in the dark forever." Tony said, sipping his milkshake.

"But, what's the use?" I asked, doubtfully. I just didn't think telling him was necessary. Besides, he had a big mouth, I was afraid he'd tell everyone about it once we told him and he'll put us all into trouble.

"San, I agree. He's old enough to understand what's on ground at the moment." Lissa said.

"Okay. So what if he knows? Is he then going to follow us on our stakeouts? Or is he gonna be planning with us? Look, I just don't wanna drag my brother into this mess. We don't need more people knowing about it because I don't see how it helps. It's just too risky." I said.

"I'll be willing to take the risk with you guys."

We all turned around to see Ray standing at the door, looking dead serious. He also had this other expression I couldn't decipher.

So, he had been listening all along?

"I heard somethings..." he said, coming to sit beside me. When I looked closer at him, he looked pale.

"Are you okay, Raymond?" I asked as he gave me a faint smile and nodded.

"I'll be fine." He said.

"So, what did you hear?" Lissa asked.

"Guys, you're all in serious danger." He said as I frowned.

"What do you mean?" Tony asked.

"They out for y'all. They're going all out for y'all." Ray said as he rubbed his palms together. He did that whenever he was anxious. I held his hand and gave it a light squeeze. He looked at me, with tears brimming in his eyes.

"Ray? Are you fine?" I asked, also getting worried. He shook his head furiously and cleaned his face.

"No I'm not. Sandy, I'm sorry for ever doubting you concerning Uncle Hugo. He's a wicked, heartless soul." Ray said, with anger evident in his voice.

"Uncle Hugo?" Lissa and I said.

"What's with him?" Tony asked.

"How do I say this?" He muttered, rubbing his palms again.

"Try taking deep breaths, okay? We'll wait for you." Tony said as Ray nodded and I gave him a hug.

"Okay, I'm ready to talk. Sandy, Lissa, Tony, I know of your stakeouts and how Dany went missing. I know how hard you all have been trying to find her without raising dust but last night, while you were asleep, I woke up to get some water from the kitchen and as I walked past Uncle Hugo's room, I heard him say the most frightful words I couldn't have ever imagine him say."

Lissa, Tony and I sat up, alert as we waited for him to speak.

"Uncle Hugo's in a cult." He said as Lissa and I gasped. Tony looked surprised.

"And Dany wasn't kidnapped."

"What?!" The three of us screamed in shock.

"B-but a van took her away-"

"It was all part of their plan."