A/N: A massive thank you to everyone who has reviewed, followed, favourited, and read WAHBL. I'd love to hear feedback from you guys, so please review! It gives me inspiration, which makes updates more frequent. :)
So without further adieu, let's see what happened to Emma...
BREAKING NEWS: Australian Teen Emma Gilbert Missing in London.
Rikki and Cleo looked at the screen in sad disbelief. They had become frozen in shock, unable to process the words staring at them across the television. Simply the two stood there, landing in an endless nightmare, desperately searching for a way to wake up. But they had become trapped in the midst of devastation; it was as if nothing else was left for them. And soon, the two were drowning in their own pit of despair, mourning their Emma.
"Em?" Rikki finally managed a soft whisper, her voice beginning to choke. A picture of a smiling Emma appeared under the headline. Her eyes softened with the welling of tears. "Oh…" Her voice cracked with grief but then turned into a loud sob with "Emma."
Cleo immediately turned hysterical, not able to hide the pain anymore. Quickly, she turned away from the television and embraced Rikki, burying her head into her friend's shoulder. Looking at Cleo and then back at Emma's picture, Rikki's strength gave out and tears ran down her cheek.
Bella remained silent, just as shocked as Rikki and Cleo. She looked over at the two, grasping each other to try to find some form of comfort. Sighing, Bella knew that she had no idea what was going through their minds, the emotions they were feeling or how to help them. Because she certainly did not know how to handle this news herself. She was sad and devastated for her friends and wanted to mourn with them. This girl—though they had never met—was just like her and Bella had wanted to meet her. They could have been friends—Bella could have been in hysterics like Rikki and Cleo. And she felt fear, knowing that this could have been her, Rikki, or Cleo.
All of the emotions suddenly made Bella feel ill, beginning to tremble in a way to stay calm. Her breathing tightened in a small panic. Sensing this, Will—who was wide-eyed with shock—shuffled over to Bella, wrapping his arms around her in much-needed comfort. He kissed the top of her head and looked as if he would never let her go. Not after one of their own was missing.
As for Zane, he just watched with sad eyes. Quietly, he sat up from the sofa and stood behind the embraced Rikki and Cleo, placing his hand on Rikki's shoulder. She then whirled around with a sad expression, let go of Cleo, and surprisingly fell into his arms. Cleo seemed to understand this and looked at Lewis, who was frozen with a look of pure terror. Seeing Cleo's desperation, he walked over to her as she began to sob again in his arms. Lewis hugged her tightly and tried not to show his panic.
We have breaking news tonight. Gold Coast teen Emma Gilbert has been officially reported missing in London.
Everyone froze again, directing their attention back towards the screen. Zane turned the volume up as the story began to unfold:
What was supposed to be a holiday of a lifetime turned into the holiday from hell for the Gilbert family.
Lisa and Neil Gilbert had taken eighteen year old Emma and fourteen year old Elliot Gilbert on a tour around the world, highlighting their time in Europe. Everything had seemed fine on this holiday until one day—authorities say about three months before the official report was filed— the Gilberts woke up to find Emma missing. Later, cellular records report that Emma sent a text to both her parents that she and her boyfriend, Ash Dove, were going to Ireland for a few months.
After that message, Lisa and Neil had not heard from their daughter since. But they had believed that Emma was in safe hands. Until Dove turns up in London, looking for Emma, instantly setting panic on the family.
Though the young man claims he has not heard from Emma in several months, authorities have Mr. Dove in custody for questioning. He remains the key suspect in her disappearance for now and has made a statement that quote: "I am innocent; I have done nothing. I love Emma and I would never hurt her. I love Emma… and in every waking minute, I pray that she is okay, wherever she may be." He remains cooperating with police.
Authorities have tried to track her phone, but it has been disconnected as if her number had never existed. And without this vital piece of information, British authorities have no leads. As of today, the Australian government has been called in for any possible assistance.
The Gilbert family has decided to remain in London for the time being, in case there is any news on their daughter. The family has denied talking to news stations but their lawyer has made a statement on their behalf:
"Please respect the privacy of the Gilbert family at this time… as they are extremely concerned about the whereabouts of their daughter. Please give their respected time together… though they remain hopeful that their Emma will return."
Zane turned the television off wordlessly as an eerie silence filled the room.
No one dared to speak.
No one wanted to speak.
The sound of someone trying to withhold their cries finally ended the quiet. Cleo then broke and once again began to cry hysterically, tears streaming down her face and her body trembling in anguish. Quickly, she let go of a terrified Lewis and raced back towards Rikki, who was just as inconsolable. Though Rikki first remained in a silent angst, she eventually started to sob, letting go of Zane to go to Cleo. Bella, too, joined in on the hug, tears also rolling down her cheek.
Everything seemed to go by slowly for Lewis. Standing there with a dumbfounded expression, he felt the locket burn inside his pocket, itching for answers. Lewis gulped in fright and began to panic, knowing he should have told the girls as soon as he knew. Kicking himself for it, Lewis once again contemplated on what to do. Should I tell them now? Maybe it's for the best to do it right then and there. He kicked himself once again. "There's no way I could tell them now; they're already devastated." Lewis thought. And even if he wanted to speak, Lewis still felt as if the air was being sucked out of his lungs.
"I, um, I'm going to go shut down the café for the day." Zane announced awkwardly and headed towards the door.
"Good idea. I'll come with you." Will seconded, following Zane out of the office.
That left Lewis and the girls in the office, which made him feel even more uncomfortable. The locket continued to burn in his pocket with guilt and regret. And the feeling of being powerless.
He stood looking at the three girls, embraced in a mess of tears. They had been wounded but remained strong for one another by each other. Lewis had to smile at that, but it quickly fell as a reminder to the unknown that still lay ahead.
The important question of who was after them.
Taking in a deep breath, Lewis feared this unknown. The only thing he could be sure of was that Rikki, Bella, Cleo, and Emma—wherever she may be—must say safe.
He would fight for them until hell freezes over.
A loud CRASH broke him of his thoughts. The girls stopped crying as well. Zane was yelling: "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CAFÉ!"
Alarmed, Lewis headed for the door. The girls looked at him as if not knowing what to do. "Um… uh… you guys just stay here." He panicked and opened the door to see a familiar face sitting in one of the centre tables. Lewis' face immediately lost all its colour and said nothing. The person happily smiled at Lewis, taking a sip of her tea.
"I told you. You are NOT welcome here so GET OUT NOW!" Zane yelled, knocking over a chair. Will remained silent as he was picking up an array of broken glasses and other chairs that Zane had tossed moments before.
Hearing the commotion, Rikki, Bella, and Cleo surfaced out of the office. Rikki and Cleo stopped immediately and pulled Bella back.
"Well, hello there, girls." She said, standing up. "What a pleasant surprise."
"Denman," Rikki managed a bitter snarl. They pulled themselves together arm-in-arm trying to find a strong image.
Doctor Denman smiled at them, speaking casually. "It's great to see you, too, Rikki. And you as well, Cleo. My, you two have changed in—how long has it been since we last saw each other?—two years perhaps?" She did not even look at Bella. "Where's Emma today?"
Cleo let out a sob as Rikki squinted her eyes at Denman accusingly. "Like you don't already know."
Denman remained silent, looking around the room for some form of clarity. Finally, Will answered for them. "Emma has gone missing."
A gasp escaped Denman and she put her hand across her chest in what seemed like genuine shock. "Oh my goodness. I—I had no idea. If—if I had known that I wouldn't have said it so insensitively."
"Like hell you would have." Rikki snapped, marching right up to Denman, who looked down at Rikki with an amused expression. "I know you know where Emma is. I'd even go so far to say that you took her yourself." Cleo and Bella walked towards Rikki, pulling her back a few steps.
Denman's eyebrow raised. "Well, Rikki, you and I both know that I would have no interest in your Emma—no offence—now that you're powerless. Which is quite a pity but that's beside my point here." She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "Look, I know you're upset about Emma. And believe me, I sympathise with you. She seemed like a lovely girl. But I have no idea of where she is."
"Then why are you here?" Lewis asked. "Besides getting tea?"
She smiled at him. "Always a pleasure to see you, Lewis." He did not respond to her greeting. "Fine then. If you must know, I'm collecting fish populations within the area—"
"Again?" Cleo piped up.
"Well, there were reports about fish leaving the Mako Island area a month or so ago, so I'm just making sure everything has returned back to normal." Lewis was about to speak but she cut him off. "And before you ask me to show them, I don't have them at this time. You're welcome to come down by the boat if you like. Though I may be able to approximate the number of Blue Tangs in the area right now." No one answered. "Perhaps I might be able to estimate the population of the Threadfin butterflyfish as well?"
"So that's the only reason you're here?" Bella questioned, speaking for the first time.
Tilting her head, Denman stared at Bella, making her rather uncomfortable. Bella immediately averted her gaze and looked down at the ground. "Yes, it is. Unless you give me a reason to stay." She was the only one who laughed.
She smiled crookedly and focused back on Bella. "But I don't believe we've met before." Denman smiled, extending her hand to Bella. "I'm Doctor Linda Denman. I'm assuming Rikki and Cleo have told you about me." Bella didn't accept her greeting. "And you are…?"
Bella stared at Denman, who just smiled at her. "Bella." Denman looked over at Will as if expecting an introduction. "And that's Will."
Still smiling, Denman nodded. "Well, it's a pleasure meeting you two." She looked at Zane and Lewis and then back at Rikki and Cleo. "And I'm so glad we've had this little chance to see each other again—"
"Now get out." Zane said grimly, wasting no time and extending his arm towards the door.
"But before I do that, I would love another tea—"
"NOW!"
"Zane, that's a terrible way to treat customers." Denman smirked, starting towards the door. "I'll be sure to tell my friends not to come here."
"If she has any friends." Rikki mumbled, causing Cleo to laugh under her breath.
Denman swirled back around. "I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again." And she headed out of the beaded curtain without another word.
"She seemed nice," Bella retorted. "A real charmer."
"I don't like the fact that she's back." Cleo admitted with a sniffle, wiping mascara from the bottom of her eye. "Especially at a time like this."
"Neither do I." Rikki replied, heading towards the door to see her speed away in a zodiac off the jetty.
"I don't buy the whole fish population thing. I didn't the first time either." Zane added.
"Whatever she's here for," Rikki began, "we're going to find out."
"But first!" Lewis blurted out, taking a deep breath. Everyone's attention turned towards him. "There's, um, something you guys should know…"