Aurora
News of my marriage with Klaus has spread like wildfire. Now anywhere I go, there are suppressed whispers, fearful bows, nervous glances.
That's exactly it. This is just the beginning, and I know I can climb higher with Klaus' help. Only then will I show that scumbag who he really messed with.
I stop in front of Raphael's school, to pick him up since it's already his school's closing hour. Today, I came a little early because I already finished my work for the day, and all I want right now is to be with my son.
I alight from the car, and head towards the main gate. Other parents are trooping into the school compound, while some kids run out to meet their parents.
That reminds me, Raphael always waits for me at the school gate, then runs up to me anytime he sees my car. But today, he isn't there.
I look around, hoping I'll see him among the crowd, but not a trace of him.
Panic fills my chest as I breeze into the school compound, going straight to his classroom. There I meet an almost empty class, save for the teacher who is rounding off.
"Ms. Clara. Have you seen Raphael?" I ask breathlessly.
She peeks at me through her glasses, "Oh, Ms. Marcellane, hi!"
Ms. Marcellane? Really?
"Uhh, Raphael's dad came by. You didn't tell me you had a baby daddy," she laughs, stuffing some books in her bag.
That's odd. Klaus won't be leaving his office until eight PM today.
"Did Mr. Grimhollow come by?" I ask, praying maybe he did.
She peeks at me again, "Mr. Klaus Grimhollow?" She laughs nervously, "I have only heard his name, I have never set eyes on him before."
Terror fills my chest at what she might be hinting.
"Was it Mr. Zuriel who came by?" I ask, dreading her possible answer.
She nods, "Yes! The resemblance was so striking! He never mentioned his father, but it was sure a pleasing sight."
I slam on the table, "If you have never heard of his father, why did you have to let him go with someone you didn't know?! I'm the one who comes to pick him up! What have you done?"
She flinches at my outburst, "Ms–"
"Oh my gosh, my son has been kidnapped," I choke on my words, rushing out of the class.
My heart is throbbing so hard, it's threatening to burst of out of my chest. My body trembles with rage, and panic as I run back to my car at the verge of tears.
"Please dear moon goddess, keep my child safe," I gasp, flinging my car door open.
I quickly get in, reach for my phone, and dial Klaus' number.
He picks at the first ring.
"Klaus, my son has been kidnapped! Zuriel has kidnapped my son!" I yell into the phone, my voice breaking as I speak.
"What the–"
"Please deploy the police, root him out, we have to find my child!" I break down sobbing.
"Aurora calm down. We will find him. I'm contacting the police immediately."
I nod, sniffling noisily, then hang up.
"Oh my baby," I put my phone aside, and ignite my engine.
My head goes blank as I try to recall where Zuriel lived. It's been so long, I'm sure he might have changed his address.
Where am I supposed to look?
I step down on the clutch pedal, and zoom off.
...
Three hours later, I still haven't seen my Raphael. The police have searched everywhere, but they can't find him. Klaus has since been trying to pacify me, but nothing is working.
"Why isn't he answering his calls? What has he done to my son?" I bury my face in his chest, crying my eyes out.
"The police are doing their best. If it makes you feel better, I'll go search for him too. Zuriel is my brother, so I should have a hint of how he thinks, and where he has probably hidden."
I whip myself up to a sitting position, "Can we do that? Why are we wasting time then? We should go look for my son!" I jump off the couch.
"I don't want to imagine the horrible things he might be doing to my son. Please, let's check whenever you think he might be hiding."
Klaus stands up, giving me a slight nod.
"I'll go grab my car keys."
I clasp my hands together, my heart racing fast. I close my eyes, whispering prayers of safety over my child.
In a few minutes, Klaus returns, so we both hurry to the garage.
Just then, I receive an incoming call from an unknown number. My hands slightly tremble. My personal number is inaccessible to a lot of people, except the people closest to me.
I want to to dismiss it, but something stronger in me makes me answer it.
"Hello?"
"Mommy? Hello?"
"Raphael?" I gush, "Darling, where are you? What's the matter? What happened?" I bombard him with questions.
"Oh I'm fine mommy. Daddy is taking good care of me."
I narrow my eyes, a bad feeling engulfing me at his words.
"Wh- what do you mean by that? Your daddy is here with me."
"No! I'm with my real daddy! You lied to me , Mommy. I have a real daddy!"
My heart sinks to my stomach at his words. Has Zuriel already brainwashed him?
"You shouldn't lie to a child, you know," I hear his voice over the phone.
"Zuriel? Where are you? Let go of my son now!" I yell into the phone.
"Listen Aurora, we can make this work. You just have to hear me out."
"I don't want to hear anything, you son of a bitch! If I find you, I swear I'll kill you!" I bellow into the phone.
"He's my son too. He's our son. Just hear me out, stop being so difficult," he pleads.
I'm practically boiling with rage at his words. My eyes see red, and I'm almost at the point of exploding.
"Zuriel tell me where you are right now!"
"You have to promise me you won't bring the police with you, because if I sense them, you'll never see him again."
Then he hangs up.
"Hello? Zuriel?"
"I'm going to kill that man," Klaus hisses, flinging the door open, "Get in the car Aurora. I have a plan."
I look at him with teary eyes, "If we bring the police, I won't see my son again."
"That won't happen," He holds my shoulders, "I'll bring your son back to you. I promise you."