Mariana was sat on this ride with Micah. She wore a blue shirt and shorts as they were on a safari ride in Animal Kingdom. They decided to extend their stay for a few more days before going home in case they were going to be significant developments.

She had a little grin as she felt the cool breeze brush past her. She held onto Micah's hand, and he was caressing her with his thumb. She recorded everything in hopes to show it to their children when they get them back.

They passed luscious trees and bushes that were bunched up together, and a serene lake that was colored with the deepest blue like a sapphire jewel.

"Hey Mari, look." Micah pointed to a rhino that was walking past. It was stood on the other side on these giant rocks that had moss sprawling across.

"Aw, it looks cute." Mariana then snapped a picture before they drove away.

"Do you remember when Axel was obsessed with wanting a pet rhino because of their horns?"

"Yep," Mariana replied with a straight face as if she didn't want to be reminded, "he then got angry when we said we couldn't get him one."

"That was really funny." Micah started laughing as the sun shone on their laps. "He couldn't stop crying about it."

"Our kids are something else." Mariana couldn't stop herself from laughing along as they reminisced over the funny times of being parents. Even though it could be overwhelming at times.

She sighed more calmly and nested her head on Micah's shoulder. She couldn't wait to get Elisa and Axel back and get to make more memorable moments again. At this point, she even missed their screams and just wanted to cuddle them in her arms.

The ride continued, and they rolled through the savannah as the host directed them to the different attractions. The light created white patches across the grass and Mariana caught sight of a giraffe minding its own business.

She leaned over and peaked her head through the windowless frame. Her brown eyes glossed like pearls, and her red lips were set like a fish. Micah gently squeezed her cheeks and pecked kisses along her freckles, making her squirm. She then removed his hand and kissed inside his palm.

"Your hands are really warm," she murmured and started kissing each of his fingers. She laid it over her heart and continued to look at the animals that they passed, fully indulged at that moment.

"Really?" Micah smirked with amusement.

"Yeah, they are really soft." Mariana closed her eyes and directed it to her cheek. "I love holding your hands." Her face glowed as she showed him the brightest smile. It filled her face like the highlight of the sun, and the brown pools were accentuated by the black streak of eyeliner.

"You're so cute, you know that?" He purred and removed his hand which he used to tickle her chin. Her cheeks became inflamed quite quickly at his alluring words as they tickled her ears.

"Thanks." She bit her lip and scooted over to sit on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her stomach and pulled her closer to him. He became immersed in her lavender perfume which he inhaled. He moaned and squeezed her tightly as he looked into the distance together.

When it was finished, they got chocolate ice cream and met up with Detective Williams and Agent Marler. They sat outside their hotel section and were near the pool.

Mariana had begun massaging her temples before they started talking. She hasn't been able to sleep as this greatly increased her worries, even if she was wrapped in Micah's arms.

"So the current situation is," Marler began, grabbing their attention as they turned their eyes towards him. "We were unable to find any flights that Mrs.Rossi-Lupu was on recently. But we think that she's either still in the area or that she's traveled under an alias."

"So you don't know where they are..." Mariana said with a twinge of impatience. Her burning eyes glared towards them like it was their fault.

"Not at the moment, but we are still working trying to find out where she's gone—"

"Where did she take our kids? Mariana shouted and thumped the table with her fist, catching them both in surprise.

"Now Mrs.Pérez, please calm down—"

"Why is it taking this long?" She groaned, "it's been a few days, and it feels like we've gotten nowhere." Her voice broke and she almost felt like she was going to cry.

"Everything is still under control. There is also a possibility that she could've gone to a different airport. So we are also going to search the closest ones to here."

Mariana grumbled and then fell onto Micah's side. She felt like she had heard enough.

"How long will that take detective?" Micah asked.

"It's going to take some time, but we will try our best to get quick results."

"Yeah please do, because we don't know how long we have left until we can't—" he stopped himself because he didn't want to make Mariana any more upset.

"Don't worry Mr.Pérez, we will find them." Detective Williams assured and then got up. "I know this can be quite a distressing time, so I don't blame you for your frustrations."

"Mhm," Mariana mumbled as she watched them walk towards the door.

"We will still keep you up to date if we find out anything new." Agent Marler said.

"Alright, thanks." Mariana tried to smile but it just looked fake.

Once they left, Mariana sighed and turned on the TV, determined to take her mind elsewhere before this stress made her sick.

****

Meanwhile, somewhere unknown, Mona was staring out the window, wallowing in her own thoughts. She steadied herself upright as they were currently taking a small break before being on the move again.

While glancing down at all the children walking with their parents, her body was frozen in deep thought about her own plans. She was now having second thoughts of going ahead or not.

But she shook those unwanted feelings away and took out a cigarette. What was done, was done and now there was no going back or backing out, just keep on going, and do what she had promised to do.

As she tried to ignite it, the lighter was shaking in reluctance as it neared towards the stick. Even though she tried her hardest to stop for the sake of her children, sometimes it felt like the only means to stop thinking about him.

Suddenly, her chronic pain returned as she felt a rip on her pelvis. She winced and her body forced her to crouch down as Electra could be heard shouting from the other side of the room.

She glanced over at the commotion, and Electra had a sharp knife in her hand and seized Elisa in her arms. The little girl squirmed and cried out as she dodged the sliver blade.

"No!" Elisa cried out in protest. Her little feet kicked in the air and tried to tear herself away from Electra's grip.

"Keep still you little brat!" Electra roared and slapped her across her cheek, leaving a fiery imprint.

"Don't touch!" Elisa screamed. "I don't like it!" She shielded her face away which meant her arms got sliced.

Elisa screamed at the top of her lungs and Electra released her by launching her body in the air and watching it topple onto the ground.

"That's what you get for crying non-stop and never shutting your mouth up," Electra sneered at her. She looked down smugly at the hurt toddler who still screamed and clutched her bleeding arms.

"Your mommy and daddy ain't coming to save you, sweetheart." Electra bent down to her level and said directly to her face.

"No!" Elisa exclaimed and briefly placed her head up before smacking it back down.

Electra chuckled and then picked her up like a bag by her bun.

"Leave me!" Elisa started shouting again and kicked her legs.

"Jeez, you really are Mariana's daughter, always shouting and fighting for no reason," Electra muttered and swung her everywhere.

"Stop!" Elisa's voice became strained as she tried to get away, but Electra held her firmly. Elisa then kicked her in the stomach, making her howl in pain. She was about to cut her face off when Mona raised her hand and stopped her.

"Electra, that's enough."

Electra sighed and then dropped Elisa like a sack of potatoes.

"I want my mommy and daddy!" Elisa ran away while crying. Mona watched her and then turned her attention towards Electra.

"Why are you so brutal?" She muttered, "you're even starting to make me uncomfortable." She then wore gloves and cleaned the knife with wipes.

"I thought that was better," Electra said and placed her hands on her hips with a proud smile. "Plus, I don't really like children..." Electra mumbled in disgust as Axel ran past her legs.

"I can clearly see that..." Mona's eyes darted from her then towards the room where the kids were playing.

"But I have to say, it is funny to see you get beaten by a toddler," Mona smirked and then got up once the pain subsided.

"She's just a little stubborn little brat, But I can handle it," Electra said and stretched her back.

"Mm sure you can," Mona said and then went and prepared something to eat.

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Nice to see that Mariana's kids actually take her advice after all.🌚🌚🌚