"Officer Bella was last seen going to the rooftop," Sergeant Mike reported. "One of the cadets saw her heading there."
"We checked the rooftop," he continued, "but she wasn't there either."
Head Ace nodded grimly in response.
Officer Matthew spoke next. "We questioned all security personnel and the officers who were on night patrol. No one saw Bella. No one spotted her near the SID main gate either."
Ethan exhaled sharply. "Then where could Cadet Bella have gone?"
Officer Becky crossed her arms, irritation clear in her voice. "Since the day she joined training here, she's done nothing but create problems. What's new? Wandering around so late at night—what does that even mean?"
Ethan shot her an angry look, his eyes hard with warning.
Head Ace raised a hand, cutting the tension. "We'll have to inform Chief Luke. I'll call him."
Ethan nodded silently.
Inside Officer Ethan's office, the air felt heavy.
"Where could Bella have gone?" Ethan said, running a hand through his hair as he spoke to Matthew. "If she didn't leave SID Headquarters, then that means she's still somewhere inside."
Before Matthew could respond, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Ethan said.
The door opened, and Ellena stepped inside—followed closely by Norah, Derek, and Harry.
Ellena spoke thoughtfully, "The last time Bella was seen, she was on the rooftop. That's why I think we should also check the path leading into the forest."
Officer Ethan paused. "The forest?"
"Yes," Officer Matthew added. "She said she saw shadows there."
Ellena nodded slowly. "She even told me she was going to check it herself…"
Before Ellena could finish her sentence, Officer Ethan suddenly brushed past her and broke into a run toward the open ground behind the building. The others followed close behind. Ethan and they searched the area carefully, but there was no sign of her. With growing unease, they continued walking until they reached the old factory.
Standing there already was Sergeant Harris. Seeing them approach, he said, "I've already checked this area. Cadet Bella isn't here."
Ethan. "You checked everywhere properly, right?"
"Yes," Sergeant Harris replied firmly. "I searched every corner thoroughly. If you want to check again, we can do that."
"I want to check it myself—once," Ethan said.
They began searching the factory again. In the middle of it, Officer Matthew's phone rang. After ending the call, he turned to Ethan and said, "Cadet Bella's family has arrived. We should go."
Ethan nodded silently, his expression heavy with concern.
*********************************************************************************************
Inside Head Ace's office , Luke and White sat quietly, worry clearly etched across their faces. The sudden disappearance of Bella from the SID Headquarter had left the atmosphere heavy with tension.
After knocking, Officer Ethan entered the room, with Officer Matthew following close behind. Inside, Sergeant Miller was already present, delivering a detailed briefing.
Matthew took a seat beside White and spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.
"Dr. White, please don't worry. Nothing will happen to Cadet Bella. We will find her."
Dr. White nodded slowly. The exhaustion on his face and the concern in his eyes were unmistakable.
Ethan glanced at White and said gently,
"Uncle White, you should go to the guest area and get some rest."
White shook his head.
"No, I'm fine. August and Noah will be arriving soon as well."
Ethan nodded in response, understanding his resolve.