246 40 Leader

As Keren walked up to the steps, she was shocked to see. Norio standing on the porch. As he lifted his head, despair filled his eye. "What the h.e.l.l happened!?" She cried, running up to him. "Somebody took her." Norio replied. "What do you mean!?" Keren cried. "Come," He said, grabbing her by the wrist. As they walked to the back, the garage was left open. "No..." Keren covered her mouth. "I just went on a walk," He paused. "By the time I got back..." He looked down. "She wasn't happy with me but," Keren shot him a look. "Whaddya mean...?" Norio sighed. "She told me she...loved me." Keren looked at him. "Are you sure this is a case of kidnapping and not," Norio shot her a look. "I'm d.a.m.n sure, Emersyn wouldn't get so upset she'd leave because of three words." Keren let out a sigh. "Where is Vera?" Norio pointed to his sisters house. "She was over there during all of this." Keren looked at him. "Does she know?" Norio nodded. "We need to do something." Norio folded his arms. "Any ideas?" Keren nodded. "Missing child posters, we can go into town." Norio looked at her, then gave a nod. "We'll go tomorrow." He said. "What!? Why tomorrow!?" She stomped her foot. "Because, it might not be safe." Keren looked down. "Right..."

As he got in bed, Norio looked up at the ceiling. "Please...let her be safe." He sighed, and laid down.

The next day, the two went right to work. They began plastering wanted posters on every possible surface. Sena was finis.h.i.+ng up with a customer, as she waved goodbye, she looked out the window, noticing a poster. She quickly ran outside. "Excuse me," Keren looked up quickly. "Oh," Keren paused. "We really need to hang these everywhere we can," Sena shook her head. "That's not an issue," she paused. "I just think you might need help is all..." Sena said, giving a smile. Keren looked at her, then smiled. "Thanks..." Keren said, handing her a pile of posters.

As the two went around, Keren spotted Norio. "Oi!" She shouted. As Sena looked up, she froze. "Nothing," Norio looked at Sena. "You're..." Keren looked back and forth quickly. "Oh her? She wanted to help." Sena gave a nod. Norio turned. "I see." He said. "Is there some kinda tension I'm missing here...?" Keren asked. Norio shot her a look. "None that concerns you." Keren smirked. "Nori..." she grinned. "You didn't tell me you had a lover!" She giggled. "She's not my ex!" He shouted. "Oi, Sena, day something!" Sena looked at them fl.u.s.tered. "I'm...his brothers friend." Norio looked down. "He's not my brother..." Keren gave a nod. "I get the picture now..." she said, smiling sadly. "Anyways, thanks for your help Sena," Norio said, taking the posters. "But we got it from here." He said. Sena gave a nod. "Good luck..." she said, walking away.

"Nori," Keren began. Before she could finish, the two heard their phones ding. "Weird, we both got texts at the same time, what are the odds of," she froze as her eyes widened as she read the text.

As Sena arrived back at her place, she noticed Chris had his car parked in front of her shop. As she walked up the stairs, she knocked on the door to Rick's apartment. Then she heard her phone ding. As her eyes skimmed the message, she froze. "Rick!" She cried, banging on the door. The door quickly swung open. "Chris!" She exclaimed. "Come in!" He said, quickly shutting, and locking the door. Rick who was seated on the couch looked up. "You're safe..." Chris looked at his watch. "Looks like everyone's here." He said. The room was silent for what felt like forever. "So," Rick began, breaking the silence. "We all got that text," he said. "Did everyone get the same text?" Tammy looked up. "What does yours say...?" She asked. Rick clicked open his messages. "Tomorrow, go to the abandoned dojo on Grove Lane, (fear not, there's a key to get in). If you do not comply, I have no choice but to harm your loved one(s). PS, bring the kid, or else." Rick looked steadily down. "Man..." Chris began. Abbey looked up. "That's my fathers dojo..." she whispered. Chris folded his arms. "Looks like whoever's behind this knows about us, and our personal business." He turned to Rick. "You're good at strategy," He began. "What do you suggest we do...?" Everyone turned their attention to Rick. "The fact that this person knows enough about us, and how we're all connected," he looked up. "This is undoubtedly a serious threat." He sighed. "The text was so vague though," Tammy said, looking up. "What if there's a threat waiting for us when we get there...?" Chris smirked. "Oi," Abbey glared. "What's so funny curly?" Chris chuckled. "Did you all forget about our trump card?" He then turned, pointing to Rick. "As long as we have him..." Everyone turned, to look at Rick. "You ready, leader?" Chris asked. Everyone then smiled. "Ah." Rick smiled, closing his eyes, leaning back on the couch. "I'm always ready."