Saving Maribella

Chapter 3 : Decision

“My daughter’s name is Maribella, here’s her picture,” Serene said while presenting the picture of Maribella.

She’s in the district police station near their apartment where Maribella went missing. She went there by herself, because she didn't even know what to do. It’s been 2 hours since the abduction of Maribella.

“She’s only 3 years old. She has Autism spectrum disorder. She didn't hesitate but it wouldn't have come if no one had offered her something. It was obvious on CCTV that the lady gave her a candy. The woman really took my daughter.”

“Yes, yes .. You already reported that. Don’t worry, we will do everything we can to find her. You just have to wait. For now, we just need to make sure that the person who took her is not part of your family, or any acquaintances. ”

Anger was drawn on Serene's face. “Someone abducted my daughter! We had no other acquaintances or relatives. You don't understand. How many times should I say that I don't even know who took her? ”

Serene's tears welled up and welled up in her chest. She looked at the picture of Maribella on the table.

“My baby needs me… I know she’s looking for me.. I know she’s scared and crying. Please help me find my baby. ”

The policeman nodded, “Look, Miss, You are in the Acropolis, it’s impossible that your daughter was abducted. This City is safe. No cases of abduction. That’s why you should head home now and, maybe your daughter was already there waiting for you, ”

“My daughter is not in our house. Someone took her! ” Serene said angrily to the police.

“Okay, Miss .. we understand why you are mad right now. I will call you if we have any information regarding your Daughter,” the Police looked at the form she had written earlier. "Wait, you forgot to put your contact number and even your name here, how can we let you know?" said the police.

She stopped and stared at the paper held by the police, as well as at Bella's picture.

“Come on, Miss. You have to help us too. You have to give your name, so we can file this report,”

___

"Ace, I don't know what to do anymore," Serene said.

She is now in Ace's car, outside the police station where they reported.

About Bella.

“It’s okay, I already reported it to the police and gave my name instead. Serene, that truth is, I don't know if I'm going to tell you to, not to worry because I know that won't happen. But Serene, just hold on, okay? We will find Maribella, ”

She had nothing on her mind but Bella. He felt like her brain would explode thinking about what had happened to her.

"Thank you, Ace."

Ace sighed and squeezed her hand, “Let’s go home? I will take you to your apartment-- ”

“No, I'm not going home yet, Ace. I have to find her. I couldn’t bear to just sit back and wait. I knew she was looking for me. I can't think straight right now. What if something bad happens to her? ” shaking her head, she said to Ace.

.

Ace notices Serene's anger and concern. “While waiting for the report coming from the police. I need to make a way, I will find her. Either way, Ace. I need to find my daughter. ”

Ace sighed and took Serene's hand again. “Fine, but take care, okay? I'll call you when there's news. I will also try to get details from my connections,”

Serene nodded and got out of the car. She went to the Area near Ace's apartment. There he asked questions to people. If anyone had seen Maribella.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for my daughter. Have you seen her?” she asked each passerby as she showed them a photo of Maribella.

But no one saw Bella.

She’s tired, exhausted. It’s been 10 hours since Bella was abducted. She hadn't slept yet and couldn't even get home because she couldn't afford to go home to their apartment without Bella.

She promised Bella that she would pick her up.

She stayed by the side of the road, watching the people passing by, children with their parents. She was checking if one of them was Maribella.

Then, her cell phone rang. It’s a call from Ace.

She immediately accepted Ace's call. “Serene! I have news about Bella. ”

Her chest throbbed, nervous at the news she might hear about her daughter.

“The police will not be releasing any information about the abduction here in Acropolis. They don’t want to cause panic, and most of all, they are protecting the image of the City. But I got news from a friend in NAMF. The woman who took Bella, and the vehicle that was seen outside the apartment, matched the details of the syndicate who’ve been abducting children since last month. It’s a top secret in NAMF. Maribella was the 25th child that went missing. ”

What she had feared was happening. One of the reasons she left Polaris and thought of staying at the Acropolis. Now, the quiet and new life she dreamed of for Bella is gone.

She asked herself. Why is it that no matter what she does, she is still brought back to the old life she had? Doesn’t she have the right to aspire and dream of a simple and peaceful life with Bella? Why now she have to go back to the nightmare of her past?

She doesn't have a choice. She would do anything just to save Maribella. Even if that means she goes back to her hellish past.

___

Polaris

“Serene? Don’t tell me you went back there? They can't know you're alive! ”

“I don’t have a choice. I have to go back. I know how horrible the syndicates are, just like the one that took Bella. And I will not let Bella stay in this hellish place. ”

Her decision is final. She needs to return to Polaris to find the syndicate that took Bella. She knew it was in Polaris. And if she had to single out every syndicate here at Polaris she would, just to save Maribella.