EA'S

ter, seemed to sense it too. It had been a week since the incident, and its aftermath hung heavy in the air. The mood in ou

the front door opened and someone walked in. I looked up, m

in his eyes and the tightness of his jaw. I wonder

Carter entered the room, and my

cheerful than I knew she felt. She was trying to keep the peace, I

bowed. The silence in the room was stifling, and the tension was domineerin

s a moment?" he asked politely,

or. As she left the room, the door closed behind her wi

cuss. It was clear that something was very wrong, and

" I said, trying to break the si

nd." he replied, his voice cold

It was as if she was afraid to move, or even to breathe. I could feel the tension in the room rising, and I could s

rying to make sense o

the room as if looking for an escape. I had never seen Mr. Carter act like this be

ing: this was not the Mr. Carter that we knew. His words and actions were strange and unsettling.

hicker, and the silence heavier. Neit

ing on?" I asked, my v

Mr. Carter?" my mother asked, her voice shaking slightly. "Have

. My interest perked up to the roof. A million thoughts raced through my mind, and I f

y father by his name, as if he was completely disinterested in the matter. His hands we

ine. Something was definitely not right here. The hope in m

he hope draining from her face. "It's been a week, and we still haven't heard

r. "Don't say that, mother. Father will come home, safe and

ange with an inscrutable expression. I couldn't shake the feeling tha

face him. "If you know anything, please

flicker of something like regret in his eyes. But then it was

pilling over onto her cheeks. "It's been a week. What are they waiting for? Why aren't they demanding money? W

e have him, everything is going to be alright. Right, Mr Carter?" My mother and I turned to Mr. Carter, our eyes pleading with him to give us some inf

d uncontrolled, and he clapped his hands as he laughed. The laughter caught us off guard, and we stood there in shock as Mr. Carter's laughter grew lou

hought occurred to us that we might be on our own now. Mr. Carter has always been ou

tears from his eyes and tried to compose himself. "I know this is serious, but

asked with confusion plastered on my

funny. I just wasn't expecting that

nd your family. You also said that I am friends with your family, which is...." Mr. Car

to avoid saying something. I got the sense that he was trea

us out?" I asked further with confusion clearly written over my fa

ocking. "I'm your family friend, and I'll be happy to help you

e made it obvious that he didn't take our request

"Thank you very much." I appreciated his word

left me puzzled and uncertain. "In fact, as an act of kindness and help, I have a proposal fo

ibly have in mind? I felt a mix of curiosity and trepidation as I waite

s, aren't you?" Mr. Carter

sked, eager to know more. "Does it perhaps include helping us find my father? I would

find your father and get him rel

"What do you mean by that? Do you know where my father is?

mother added, her voice ti

"Would you be open to hearing my proposal f

y. I needed to get this over with so tha

to my son!" Mr. Carter said

shock making my heart race

ght." Mr Carter

ked, my voice catching in my t

a sly smile playing on his lips. "Don

ill unsettled by the whole exchange. I tried to shake off the

ng. "Mr. Carter is always playing pranks. He's just tryi

still shaken by the whole ordeal. We stood there in sil

r. Carter said, h

ling that had settled over me. It was like an ominou

ter, a serious expression on her face. "You're not seriou

e is my real proposal. I want you to get married to my son if you ever want your fat

tant memory, replaced by a palpable sense of unease. My mother's eyes were wide, and her breathin

le slowly came down. The