Stephanie's POV
Everything stopped completely. The room, The air, My heart. Armstrong's words kept ringing in my ears like a broken bell.
The kids… they're gone.
I opened my mouth, but no sound came.
My hands started shaking first. Then my legs. Then my whole body.
"What do you mean… gone?" My voice came out small, like a child's.
Armstrong looked at the floor. "I reached the school five minutes ago. Classes were over. All the children came out. Josh and Jolina never did. Teachers checked every room, every toilet, the playground… nothing. They are not there."
My knees buckled under me. Gone. My babies are gone. I didn't feel myself move. I just ran for the door. I had to go. I had to find them. Now.
Cane caught me around the waist. His arms locked tight. "Stephanie, stop!"
"Let me go!" I screamed, kicking, hitting, scratching. "Let me go! I have to find them!"
He didn't let go. He pulled me harder against his chest. "Calm down," he said, voice rough but shaking too.
