The man leaned down to Kyle, his voice low and menacing as he said something Kiara couldn't hear but Kyle's expression said it all. .
Then, in one swift motion, he sprayed something near Kyle's face.
Her brother crumpled instantly.
Kiara's eyes widened. "No…" Her voice caught in her throat as panic froze her limbs. Her heart was racing, pounding in her chest like a drum. She felt like she was moving through quicksand, her legs heavy and unresponsive.
Finally, she shook off the paralysis and lunged at Maria, who was still slumped over, oblivious to the horror unfolding before them . Kiara's hands trembled as she grasped Maria's arm, shaking her awake.
"S-Someone t-t-took Kyle!"
Maria's eyes snapped open, and she looked around wildly, confusion giving way to terror as she took in the scene. Together, they stumbled toward the ferris wheel, their eyes scanning the crowd frantically. But it was too late. The crowd had swallowed the kidnapper.
All that remained was the small silver locket Kyle always carried—a picture of him and Kiara smiling inside.
Kyle's disappearance had left her reeling. The world blurred around her, and the darkness pulled her under. Kiara's legs gave way, and she felt herself falling, the sound of Maria's worried cry fading into the distance as she fainted.