FreeNovelIn the shadowy study, adorned with European-style furnishings, a bronze statue of Jesus with an integrated cross design took pride of place on a dark desk. Seated across from it, Riley Tillman, Fred's deputy, clutched a photograph. "Sir, tracking this guy down might be really tough—there's no cell service out in that area. But it's like this guy is onto us. We lost all our leads by the time our team got there—he'd vanished." Fred reclined in an armchair, playing with a small, ornate dagger. The blade gleamed sharply, complemented by the large, shining blue sapphire on its hilt. He asked, "What was his last known address?" "Wrupant Village," Riley replied promptly. "Our guys showed up and he had vanished." "Tell them to round up a bigger team. | want him found, whether he's breathing or not." "Got it," Riley replied.
A moment later, Fred's expression changed as a knowing grin took over. "On second thought, cancel that. I'm going myself. Get my car ready.” Madelyn was jolted awake in her bed at the Jent residence by a cold draft from the window. Anxiety washed over her as she sprang up, slipped into her slippers, and hurried to the nursery next door—once her own room. The large closet, a silent witness to her past, was still filled with her outfits and keepsakes. Among these was a precious album, a gift from Ethan, which she had kept hidden from Zach.
After rummaging through the closet, she unearthed a metal box that safeguarded her most treasured possessions, including an old cellphone that held her email account from back home. She switched it on—luckily, it was half-charged—and checked her inbox. A flood of video messages from Forrest greeted her.
With a hand clasped over her mouth, Madelyn watched as the once-familiar boy transformed before her eyes into a weathered man, his once-bright eyes now reflecting a deeper story. In the background, a rustic village hinted at his current world. Despite the changes time had wrought, his signature mischievous smile was unmistakable. 'For years, he has kept his promise without ever giving up. When Madelyn looked down, tears dropped from her eyes and dotted the floor. She hoped that all he was doing was for himself, not for her.
Madelyn was in the walk-in closet, absorbed in the videos from Forrest. They had been in touch off and on for the past four years. Time flew by, and before she realized it, four hours had passed.
Zach finished his work early and was already home, heading upstairs.
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