Gabe came into the grand council room. Elena looked at him worryingly. " Well?" she asked. " Sorry, princess, but there's no sign of any of them," Gabe announced. Elena slammed her fist on the table.
" Hey, hey, it's okay, mija, we'll find her," Abuela said.
But, you don't know that, Abuela, it's been almost two day!" Elena shouted. Tears spilled out of her eyes, causing Abuela, Abuelo, and Naomi to hug her. Elena took deep breaths in and out.
" We have to hope, mija. Pray, she's safe," Abuela remarked. Elena wiped her tears and nodded. Abuela rubbed her back.
Meanwhile, Isabel, Shuriki, and Esteban were climbing up a mountain. Well, Esteban and Shuriki were. Isabel got tired after a few hours of walking, so Shuriki agreed to give her a piggyback ride. Not long after that, Isabel fell asleep. " Maybe we should take a break," Esteban suggested.
Shuriki shook her head. " If we take even a moment off, something bad will happen, you know that, Esteban," she said. " It was worth a try," Esteban replied. " This old man is getting tired," he added. He and Shuriki laughed.
Thirty minutes later, Isabel woke up. " I'm hungry," she complained. Shuriki gave her some peanut butter crackers. Esteban laughed when crumbs got all over Shuriki, who didn't seem to be fazed by it. " Sorry," Isabel apologized. " Quite already, child," Shuriki replied.
Another thirty minutes, Esteban couldn't take it anymore. Shuriki agreed to let them take a break. " If we get attacked or something, it's your fault," Shuriki told him. " This is true," Esteban agreed. He sat down on a log and Shuriki sat next to him. She put Isabel in her lap. Isabel looked up at her and gave her the puppy dog face. " I'll allow it," Shuriki said. Isabel grinned and made herself comfortable, snuggling into Shuriki's chest.
Esteban could have sworn he saw a shadow figure, but when he covered his eyes and reopened them, the shadow was gone. Shuriki saw something faze him. " What's wrong?" she asked.
Esteban looked at her. " Oh, just my mind playing tricks on me," he answered. Isabel nudged Shuriki so she would turn her attention on her. Shuriki looked down at her and stroked Isabel's hair. Isabel sighed with pleasure. Shuriki chuckled and planted a kiss on Isa's forehead. Isabel started to think that maybe Shuriki really wasn't going to hurt or kill her.
Esteban saw the shadow figure again. This time, Shuriki saw it too. " We better get going," she said. Esteban nodded. Shuriki reluctantly let Esteban carry Isa this time. Isabel let Esteban love up on her. Shuriki took Isabel back a few minutes later, much to Esteban's confusion.
Isabel looked around after hearing her name echo through the air. Isabel. Isabel. Isabel Castillo Flores. After she didn't see anyone, Isabel went back to snuggling. One minutes later, her name echoed again. Isabel. Isabel. Isabel Castillo Flores. Isabel looked around confusingly. " What's wrong, child?" Shuriki asked.
Isabel looked up at her. " Someone keeps calling my name," she answered. Shuriki raised an eyebrow. She looked around, but no one was there. " There's no one there, child," Shuriki said. Isabel nodded and buried her head into Shuriki's chest. " Esta bien," Shurki assured her. " No, it isn't," the same echoing face whispered. Isabel whimpered and tightened her grip on Shuriki. Shuriki could tell the child heard something. Could it be the shadow figure?
She didn't have time to answer before a blast came out of nowhere, knocking the trio over. " Ow, I popped my back!" Esteban shouted. " Stop complaining," Shuriki commanded. Isabel tried to see through the fog that appeared out of nowhere. She could've sworn she saw someone.
" Could it be? A child of the royal family. A vampire," a voice said. Isabel raised an eyebrow. Vampire?
She stood up and brushed herself off. " Who are you?" she inquired.
A shadow figure got closer and closer to Isabel. " I'm Icy, this is my mountain," the shadow figure told her. " Oh, sorry," Isabel apologized. " We're just looking for some ingredients to save my parents," she added. Icy nodded her head. She now stood in front of Isabel.
Shuriki couldn't find Isabel. She tried calling her name, but there was no luck. Esteban calmed her down and they searched for her.
Isabel flinched when Icy stroked her hair. " Such a beautiful child," Icy remarked. " I think I'm going to keep you," she added. Isabel whimpered. Blue dust surrounded Isabel, making her feel sleepy. " Don't fight it, child, you're wasting your energy," Icy said. She caught Isabel when she lost balance and tipped over.
Shuriki looked desperately for Isabel. Esteban grew worried. They both shared the same look. " This is not good, Esteban," Shuriki whined.
Esteban nodded in agreement. " We'll find her," he said. Shuriki looked up at him and nodded. The two of them embarked on their new journey… find and save Isabel.
To be continued.
