The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

The sight of crimson blood sent shivers down Anastasia's spine. She stood there, frozen, too terrified to move, look, or even think about opening the box.

Herman's heart was pounding in his throat, and the nanny's scream echoed through the house. Salma rushed out of the room, eyes wide. "Any news on Pattie? What's going on?"

She spotted the box, looking completely baffled. Herman, with scissors in hand, cautiously cut through the tape. The moment the box opened, revealing its contents, Anastasia went pale and almost lost her balance. Inside was a bloody pig's trotter, wrapped in black duct tape. At first glance, it could easily be mistaken for a human limb.

Salma screamed, "Oh my God, who's playing this sick joke? This is horrifying!"

Herman, his face tense, shouted, "Dailey, find out where this box came from, now!"

Anastasia clung to Herman's arm, her voice shaking. "Could this be from Pattie's kidnapper? Is this a warning? Are they asking for a ransom?"

If it was a kidnapping, Herman felt a slight relief. If all they wanted was money, there was hope. It was the unknown that was truly frightening.

Herman wrapped his arms around Anastasia, trying to calm her down. "Don't worry. If it's the kidnapper, no matter the price, I'll bring Pattie back safe and sound."

Salma was frantic. "Who the hell would take a child?"

The police were investigating and hadn't ruled out Julie as a suspect. Julie had disappeared without a trace. The police thought it was unlikely she was involved; as a wanted fugitive, kidnapping a child for revenge would be foolish.

Herman had the package traced to a man who left it at their doorstep. Under questioning, the man revealed that someone completely covered up had given him the box, instructing him to leave it at Anastasia's house in Southridge Estates. The man didn't get a good look at the stranger, who had paid him to make the drop-off. Once again, the trail went cold.

As night fell, Anastasia was plagued with insomnia, her mind racing with thoughts of where Pattie could be and who might have taken her. The police were searching, Herman had a team out looking-demanding to find Pattie, dead or alive but there was nothing. Days passed, and Anastasia's spirit was crushed. Every little noise made her think Pattie had returned. She refused to give up hope. As long as there was no body, she believed Pattie was still alive.

Herman offered a ten-million-dollar reward for any information leading to Pattie, insisting that no tip was too small. Again and again, Anastasia faced disappointment. The leads from online sleuths never panned out.

As the situation escalated, Cynthia grew fearful. She had repeatedly asked Gianna about Pattie's whereabouts, but Gianna refused to say. Cynthia was torn between fear of Pattie being found and hope that the police would locate her quickly. Risking exposure, Cynthia made her way to Southridge Estates.

Salma, consumed with worry, had little patience for visitors. "Sis, just spit it out. Pattie's missing, and we're all out of sorts here."

"They haven't found her yet?" Cynthia asked, feigning ignorance. "No clues from the police?"

"Nothing," Salma replied, perplexed. "It's strange. How can someone just vanish into thin air? She can't have sprouted wings and flown away. It's been three days. If we don't find Pattie soon, we're all going to go mad."

Cynthia offered hollow comfort. "Don't worry. Kids, you know, maybe she's just gotten lost playing somewhere. By the way, where's Anastasia?"

"She's out looking for Pattie. She leaves at the crack of dawn every day," Salma said with a heavy heart. "Ana's already lost one child. If something happens to Pattie, it might just kill her."

Cynthia muttered, "What's meant to be will come to pass, and what's not can't be forced..."

"What do you mean by that?" Salma was offended. "Are you saying Ana shouldn't have her own kids? How can you say such a thing?"noveldrama