ACK! I'm so so so so sorry! I was gone for over a month… PLEASE FORGIVE ME!

… Okay, This chapter is written in Uncle Mark's perspective. Just 'cause. C: ON WITH THE DAMN CHAPTER ALREADY!

Chapter 9

"…What did you do?" Emily asked with watery eyes.

"You mean, after you disappeared?" I asked making sure we were both on the same page. She slowly nodded, closing her eyes and clenching her fists. The "Edward" boy watched her in a way that bothered me. Sort of like in a protective way, but what was he protecting her from? …Me? In my opinion, he was what she needed to be protected from… but maybe that's just me…

I cleared my throat and began telling my side of the story.

Emily had just asked me if she could go outside and explore. "It's a little muddy, though… whatever, just don't get lost." I said, smiling and chuckling.

"Thank you!" She yelled as she ran outside.

When the door had slammed shut, I walked over to the TV and heard a low, vibrating sound, coming from Emily's room. I looked inside and sighed; Emily had forgotten her phone, and here it was, sitting on her bed. She had a missed call from her mother.

I pulled out my own cell phone and dialed my sister's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me, Mark."

"Oh! Mark, where's Emily? She didn't pick up her phone…"

"I know, she just stepped out for a bit, but she'll be back soon."

"Alright…" -click-

I sat down and rested my feet on the coffee table. I was watching the local news, when suddenly, I heard thunder, which was weird, because where I lived, you never even heard thunder. Plus, why didn't I see lightning?

I watched TV for about two hours and she still hadn't come home. I was starting to get worried, so I hopped in my truck and went to look for her. I drove in every direction possible and I still couldn't find her. I stopped my truck by a place where the mud had been disrupted, as if someone had fallen. I got out and stepped onto the muddy earth beneath me.

I scanned the area, searching for a sign. Finding none, I came up with a new idea.

"EMILY...EMILYYYYY?" I called, as loud as I could manage.

I probably called her name about one hundred times before I gave up and went home. As I drove home, I still scanned the area for her, with no avail.

The next morning, she still hadn't returned, so I called the police. Sadly, they couldn't find her, either. After a few days, I saw her picture everywhere, with the word, MISSING, at the top. Even after that, I neglected to tell her mother. I sometimes got so depressed that I forgot to feed June…

Emily's expression was torn between crying and getting angry. Edward's face was just plain sad.

"I… I'm so sorry…" whispered Emily, covering her face with her hands.

"Don't be!" I assured her, "I mean, you're back for good now, right?"

When I said this, she seemed to fall deeper into her sorrow. Before I could ask, she got up and retreated to her room, leaving Edward and I alone.

I looked to him, saying, "What just happened..?"

He lowered his head and explained, "This strange man told her she only had twenty four hours to see you and let you know that she was alright. When it's this time tomorrow, we'll have to go back…"

I was furious and confused. I just got my niece back, and now she was going to be taken from me again? Hell no!

"No! I won't let you guys leave." I argued.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Mark, there's nothing that can be done about this. When it happened, I didn't fully understand what was going on, so I tried to stop her. All it did was transport me with her." Edward stated.

I wanted to say so many things, but all I could say was, "Oh…"

I changed the subject, wanting to understand why he acted so protective of Emily. "So… do you like her?" I asked him.

"Who..? Emily? Yeah, I like her." He said almost immediately.

"I mean, do you like her as a friend or…" I suggested, raising my eyebrow.

His face turned red and he stuttered, "Ah… um… a-as a friend, sir!"

He seemed really tense, but this was fun! It took a lot to keep myself from laughing. "Why? What's wrong with her?" I asked, trying to seem somewhat offended.

"N-Nothing!"

"So you think she's perfect, eh?"

"WHA-!?"

I couldn't hold it in anymore; the boy had nearly fallen out of his seat! He sent a worried and confused look my way, as I burst into hysterics.

"Mr. Mark..?" he hesitantly called. I slapped my knee and struggled to breath in between laughs.

"Relax, boy! I'm just messing with ya! I know what you mean." I chuckled, slapping Edward on the back. He laughed nervously, trying to hide his relief.

"What's so funny..?"

I turned to look at the person who had just entered. Emily was standing in the doorway of her room, with a crumpled tissue in her hand. The way her voice wavered, told me that she had been crying.

I was about to fill her in, but then I considered how Edward might feel if I did. I couldn't think of a cover story, so I put Edward on the spot. "Oh, it was just something Edward told me!" I said, motioning toward him.

She made her way over to us and took a seat in the arm chair. "What'd you tell him?" She asked, looking at Edward.

"Oh, uh… I told him about Winry throwing wrenches at me…" He sighed, scratching his head.

"Oh…" Emily said, looking at the floor.

I wasn't about to let the awkwardness that surrounded us go any further.

"What'd you two kids like for dinner?" I asked, getting off the couch.

Emily perked up, "Could we…"

"Nope, no take out." I stated before she could finish. Ever since the night she had disappeared, I'd been so upset… I was too lazy actually make food for myself. I've been eating take out every single day. I admit, it's giving me a bigger gut than I need. "Any more, and I'll be a huge fatso!" I protested.

"Shut up. You're about as fat as a telephone pole…" Emily scoffed rolling her hazel eyes at me. I'd almost forgotten that Edward was here, until he chuckled at Emily's remark.

"Alright, Edward, is there anything you want to eat?" I asked.

"Hm… what about stew?" he mused. How the hell do you make stew? Is it like soup? We don't have any soup cans, and I'm definitely not making it from scratch.

"Ramen it is, then!" I clapped, heading into the kitchen.

WOOOT! I'M DONE WITH THIS CHAPTER. XD lol sooo I really am sorry for taking so long to update! Okay, DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!