"Stand right there, Tiger. Count to 10. Alright?" She said. 

Standing up to the wall, Tiger did just so. Every breath he let out followed with a number. 1...2...

His heart was beating rapidly as he thought about where to look first. 3...4...

The sound of opening and closing doors perked his attention. It was obvious that she went into another room. 5...6...

The touch of the cold, wood floor caused Tiger to pick up his feet. 7...8...9... 

Only one more number to go. 10... 

Tiger turned around and saw an empty room. He giggled to himself as he continued to walk to the bedroom. Opening the door, he slowly perked his head into the room. He quietly tip-toed as he scavenged around the room. 

Looking under the bed, searching through the different doors, she wasn't there. Thus, Tiger moved on to the bathroom. Shower to cabinet, she wasn't there either. 

In the kitchen, she wasn't in the fridge, neither was she under the sink. She is a good hider.  

Left, right; room, drawer. Nowhere was she in sight. 

Defeated, Tiger laid on the floor in front of the bedroom door. "I give up! You can come out now!" 

No answer. 

Confused, Tiger sat up and repeated, "I give up! Come out!" 

Again, no answer. 

Where could she have gone? 

Tiger then walked up to the front door that led to the outside of the apartment. Nowhere in sight was her shoes.

Tiger's heart clenched as he realized she had disappeared forever. 

"Mom?"