A/N: Another chapter? Well, I'm on a roll. It's pretty short, but no worries. Starting a new chapter right now, so it may be posted by the end of the weekend.

Reviewers: Solitaire Emerald, Shizuka Ayasato.

You guys have no idea how happy it makes me when I get a review so keep 'em coming, please. Hope you all had a marvelous Thanksgiving if you live in the U.S. I gave thanks for each and every one of my readers! Love you guys!

~Diana

"Good morning, Mr. Edgeworth!" Maya said, running up to him.

"Good morning, Maya," he replied.

"Mia told me that Diego told her that you're taking Madi's case! Does that mean you two made up?"

Great, rumors were already flying. "Yes, I'm taking her case. I plan on leaving later today to investigate."

"So is Madi coming? We're about to start breakfast."

"I think she's on her way." The company chatted and laughed in the Meditation Room as they waited for breakfast. Finally, to Maya's delight, Dahlia poked her head out of the kitchen.

"Breakfast is ready. Everyone, please enter the Great Hall." Edgeworth took one last look down the Winding Way, but no one appeared. He began to follow the others into the hall, but something occurred that stopped them all in their tracks.

Suddenly a piercing scream echoed down the Winding Way. There was a second of pure silence as it died away, then Edgeworth recovered and ran at a full sprint toward the rooms. He skidded to a halt outside of Madeline's room, noticing with growing horror how the door was flung open and the screen was ripped in several places. Entering the room, a terrible sight met his eyes. Furniture and clothes were thrown all over the room, which was completely empty. Maya pushed her way in around him, brown eyes round with shock.

"Madi's…gone!" she exclaimed. Iris' and Dahlia's eyes filled with tears almost simultaneously and Morgan bowed her head, sorrow clouding her gaze. Mia and Armando came rushing up behind them, letting out sounds of dismay as Morgan explained the situation.

"Now the question is, did she run or was she taken?" Phoenix murmured from behind Edgeworth. He turned around, about to make an angry retort but a shriek from Maya cut him off.

"This!" she said, picking up something gold from the ground. Closer examination revealed it to be an anklet made of delicate golden links. "I got this for her birthday. I know she wouldn't leave without it willingly!" Her eyes glowed with childlike determination.

"That doesn't exactly prove anything," Phoenix muttered, looking around the room.

"She wouldn't run," Edgeworth said, barely audible. "I know she wouldn't."

Misty sighed from the doorway. "She warned me this might happen." Edgeworth turned around incredulously.

"You…knew? And you did nothing to stop this?"

"As per Madeline's request," Misty replied calmly. "She didn't want anyone to worry about her."

"Well, a lot of good that did," Edgeworth muttered. "Well," he said, turning back to the others. "Any ideas on what to do now? Kurain may be in a lot of hot water for letting a suspected murder escape."

"I'll take care of that," Misty responded. "You just take care of the trial."

Edgeworth nodded. "Who's coming with me to investigate?"

"Iris and I will head back with you. That way, if you need us, we'll be there," Phoenix said.

"Mom, can I help Mr. Edgeworth? Please?" Maya begged, eyes wide. "He needs all the help he can get!"

"If he says you can," she replied.

"You won't be needed here?" he asked. She shook her head.

"Mom's got Mia, so she doesn't need me. Can I come, Mr. Edgeworth? Please please please?" Edgeworth could feel a headache forming already, but he nodded. The young medium was right, he would need all the help he could get.

"Sure, I don't mind." Maya squealed and threw her arms around him. He endured it as best he could before prying her arms off of him and leaving the room, carefully shutting the door behind them.

He took a deep breath of the morning air as everyone began to walk back toward the Meditation Room, murmuring quietly amongst themselves. His hands clenched the wooden rail in front of him, and he looked up at the sky, silently begging for Madeline to be alright.

He didn't notice Maya standing beside him until she cleared her throat quietly. He jumped; he'd been so lost in his own thoughts, it was like she wasn't even there. "So when do we leave, Mr. Edgeworth?" she asked, putting her elbow on the rail and her chin on her hand.

"As soon as possible."