The morning sun had already risen over Lagooncrest Isle, casting a soft golden glow over the town's winding streets and tranquil shores. It was a beautiful morning, calm and quiet, with only the sound of birds singing in the trees and the soft rustling of the wind in the leaves.
However, Zoe felt no peace.
She stirred beneath the sheets, blinking away the last remnants of sleep.
Zoe rose from bed and pulled her robe tightly around her. The house was quiet, save for the distant ticking of a wall clock and the occasional chirp from outside. As she stepped into the hallway, her feet padded softly against the wood, the silence weighing heavily on her shoulders.
She walked toward the living room, half-expecting to see Brendon still crashed on the couch where he'd dozed off the night before. But when she entered, the couch was empty, the cushions barely disturbed.
Gone? Already?
True to his word, Zoe thought bitterly. He said he'd focus on this alone, and that's exactly what he's doing.
Then she noticed a folded piece of paper placed neatly on the coffee table. She stepped closer and picked it up, instantly recognizing Brendon's handwriting.
---
Zoe,
Didn't want to wake you. I left early for the police station to request files on recent missing persons cases in this area. I'll be back shortly with something to share. I promise.
Please, don't worry. I will figure out something.
— Brendon
---
Zoe stared at the note for a long moment. Her fingers tightened slightly around the paper, her jaw set.
She exhaled a shaky breath and let the note fall softly back to the table.
"Of course he left early," she muttered to herself, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Of course he didn't want to wake me."
Despite the calm phrasing of the note, Zoe couldn't shake the restlessness twisting inside her. She moved to the window and pushed aside the curtain, letting her eyes wander across the sleepy town.
Lagooncrest Isle looked as picturesque as ever—small fishing boats drifted lazily near the harbor, children rode their bikes across the distant hills, and the scent of fresh bread from the bakery two streets down floated gently in the air.
But none of it settled her nerves.
"No. Even if he tells me to stop, I won't. My brother has gone missing, and it's my duty to bring him back. I have to find him."
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a soft voice behind her.
"Honey, I know it matters a lot to you, but just leave it to him. He looks pretty good, like a detective. I know he will give us something."
Zoe turned to see her mother, Marina, standing in the doorway, her gentle eyes filled with concern.
Zoe wiped the tear that had begun to form in her eye and sighed again. "Okay, Mom. I know you're worried about me. I… I just can't stay still. I still think Carlos is somewhere. Somewhere out there, waiting for me to find him."
Her voice broke as she spoke the last words, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She had never been able to forget that horrible day two years ago, when Carlos had gone missing without a trace.
"I still can't forget that day," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "It was horrible."
Marina walked toward her, her expression softening with sympathy. She wrapped Zoe in a warm embrace, pulling her close. "It's okay, Zoe. Just stay still. He'll come back to us. By any means, he will."
Zoe buried her face into her mother's shoulder, letting the tears fall freely. Could it be? Could Carlos really be out there somewhere?
Marina pulled back slightly, her hands gently cradling Zoe's face. "For now, I think you should look for another job. I don't think the savings will last for more than three or four days."
Zoe nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Okay. I'll look for one."
Her mother smiled, but it was a sad, tired smile. Zoe understood that her mother was only trying to protect her, to shield her from the weight of the world. But Zoe couldn't stay still, not with the haunting feeling that Carlos was somewhere out there, needing her help.
---
At the Lagooncrest Isle Police Station, Brendon sat at a worn desk across from Officer Liam. The officer shuffled through a thick stack of files, each one marked with the label "Missing Persons."
Brendon's eyes scanned the room as he waited. It was a modest office, small and quiet, but it was clear from the way Liam organized the files that he took his job seriously. Brendon could see the anxiety in the officer's face, his reluctance to be involved further.
"Mr. Wolf," Liam began, breaking the silence. "I appreciate your concerns, and I believe you will solve this. But please make sure I don't get involved in it too deeply. Sharing police files with citizens and tourists could cost me my job."
Brendon gave him a reassuring smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Don't worry. I won't let that happen."
Liam sighed, pushing the stack of files toward Brendon. "I've gathered all the missing persons case files from the last five years. It's not much, but it should give you a starting point."
Brendon nodded as he carefully picked up the first file, his eyes scanning the contents. Liam had done his best to get the information without risking his own neck. But Brendon wasn't in the mood to wait—he needed something more concrete.
"I'll take pictures of these," Brendon said, pulling out his phone and snapping a quick picture of the first file. "That way, I can examine them in peace without threatening your job."
Liam seemed to relax a little at this suggestion. "That's fine. Just make sure you don't make it obvious. I can't afford to be seen helping someone like this. Especially not a tourist."
Brendon didn't respond. His focus was entirely on the files now, his mind working overtime as he absorbed the details. The more he read, the more it became clear: Lagooncrest Isle had its fair share of missing persons cases. Many of them were from the past few years, with no sign of foul play or any real leads.
Brendon's stomach churned. Something wasn't right.
---
Later that day, Zoe found herself walking the streets of Lagooncrest Isle, searching for a job. Her mind was still heavy with thoughts of her brother, but she had no choice but to push those feelings aside. She couldn't stay in the same place forever. Her mother was right; they needed more money if they were going to survive.
After hours of looking, Zoe finally found a small café near the town square that was hiring. She felt a sense of relief wash over her as she stepped inside, feeling the warmth of the place as the scent of fresh coffee and baked goods greeted her.
The manager, a friendly older woman, looked Zoe over briefly before nodding. "You're hired. Start today?"
Zoe smiled, grateful for the opportunity. "Yes, thank you. I can start right away."
The day passed in a blur of work. Zoe served coffee, cleaned tables, and did everything she could to keep busy. But despite the bustling café and the customers coming and going, her thoughts kept drifting back to Carlos. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that he was out there somewhere, waiting for her.
As her shift neared its end, Zoe wiped down the counter for the final time. She was exhausted, but there was a lingering sense of unease gnawing at her. As she finished her tasks, she glanced out the window toward the parking lot. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw a familiar figure standing beside a car outside.
Carlos.
Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she couldn't move. It was him. It had to be.
She dashed out the door, her pulse pounding in her ears. The street outside was quiet, the sun beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the pavement. Zoe's feet moved faster, her heart racing in her chest. She had to reach him.
"Carlos!" she called, her voice trembling.
But just as she was about to cross the street, something strange happened. The figure in the car—the figure that had looked so much like her brother—vanished.
One moment, he was there, standing by the car, and the next… nothing.
She froze in disbelief. Where did he go?
Zoe looked around frantically, searching for any sign of Carlos, but there was nothing. No trace of him anywhere. The parking lot was empty.
Tears welled up in her eyes as confusion and fear gripped her. Had she imagined it? Had she seen something that wasn't there?
"No," she whispered to herself. "It was him. It had to be."
But as she stood there in the cold twilight, she couldn't shake the feeling that something far more sinister was at play. Her brother—her missing brother—was close. But was he really the one she had seen? Or had she just fallen deeper into the web of mystery surrounding Lagooncrest Isle?