Chapter 5 – Jasmine Dead?%
I woke up that morning expecting the usual–warm toast and fresh fruit. But instead, the house was too quiet. The dining table was empty. No breakfast
My brows furrowed. “Where’s Jasmine?” I asked, looking around.
The kids were scattered around the living room, playing with toys and giggling like nothing was wrong.
“Hey,” I said louder. “Has anyone seen Jasmine?“%
They all froze.
I stepped closer. “Well?“&
Camden scratched his head. “Um… we saw her leave early.”
“She left this morning.” Chloe added. “Before sunrise.”
“Why?” I asked. “Did she say anything?”!
They all shook their heads quickly.
I walked upstairs to her room. Opened the door
Everything looked untouched–except her closet. Empty!
Grawers half–open. A few things missing. No suitcase, but she’d packed up.!!
I stood there for a long moment, not saying a word.X
She really left.
Back downstairs, I asked the maids, “Did you see Jasmine this morning?”
“Yes, sir,” one of them replied. “She rushed out. Didn’t even take breakfast“)
Another nodded. “She looked pale. Like she hadn’t slept”
“Why didn’t anyone stop her? I snapped.
They bowed slightly. “We thought she was going to the market. She usually goes alone.”
“Fine. Make breakfast,” I ordered, walking back to the dining table.
They served us a few minutes later
The kids started eating but frowned almost immediately.
“This tastes weird,” Clara muttered.
“I don’t like it” Charlotte said, dropping her spoon.
I took a bite. It was bland. Cold. Almost bitter.
“What is this?” I asked the maid.
She bowed. “Your usual, sir. Eggs, toast, and sausage.”
“This is not our usual.”
Another maid stepped forward. “Jasmine always cooked separately for you, the children, and Grandfather. She made every meal herself.” I was quiet!
“She memorized everyone’s preferences, the maid added. “Even the temperature of the tea.”
I pushed my plate away. “No wonder we never complained.”
I pulled out my phone and called her.”
Voicemail.
I tried again. Still voicemail.
Something wasn’t right.
Just then, Grandfather walked in, holding his cane. “Where’s Jasmine?” he asked, looking around.
“I don’t know,” I replied. “She left early.”
He frowned. “She didn’t bring my chamomile tea. That girl never forgets my tea.”
“I have the maids bring it.”
“I don’t want them. I want her,” he said sternly, “She’s the only one who brews it right.”
“I don’t know where she is,” I said again. “She’s not answering her phone.”
Before he could reply, a guard ran into the room, panting.
“Sir–Master Henry!”
“What is it?” I asked, standing
The guard held something in his hand. A piece of fabric
Blood stained.
I stepped back. “Where did you find that?
“By the cliff edge, sir Outer perimeter.”
My heart dropped. “Cliff?”
“Yes. I was doing rounds when I saw something odd in the grass. Then I saw this…” He held up the fabric again
I took it from him. My hands trembled.
It was Jasmine’s. Her favorite lavender blouse.
“Blood?” I asked.!
He nodded. “Yes, sir. Also..
He looked at Grandfather nervously.”
“Speak!” Grandfather barked.
“There were six crossbows hidden in the woods nearby.”
“What?” I snapped. “Crossbows?”
“Yes, sir. All loaded. Used recently.”
I didn’t waste time. “Take us there. Now
We rushed to the cliff. Grandfather followed, his cane striking the ground angrily.S
When we reached the edge, I saw it.?
Blood Still fresh.X
Dried droplets along the grass. Drag marks.
And far off, nestled in bushes–six crossbows.
My stomach tumed.
“Is she… gone?” Grandfather asked quietly”
“I–I don’t know,” I whispered. “She might’ve…” I couldn’t finish.
Grandfather turned red with rage. “WHO DID THIS?”
The guards stood silent.
He turned back toward the house and stormed in. “I’ll find out myself”
I followed behind, feeling sick.X
Inside, he marched straight to the children.
“You six!” he shouted. “Tell me the truth. Now!”
They looked confused E
Grandfather pointed at them. “Do you know anything about the crossbows near the cliff?”
The kids looked at one another.
Silence.
“Answer me!” he roared.
“They’re just kids,” I said quietly. “They couldn’t have-”
“We pranked her!” Chloe suddenly blurted out, crying
“What?” I gasped.
“We were just playing.” Caleb added. “We didn’t mean to hurt her.”
“What do you mean by playing?” Grandfather asked, his voice ice.!!
“We found the crossbows in the basement, Cole whispered. “We thought it would be funny to act like guards and surprise Jasmine… “We didn’t know it would actually shoot!” Clara sobbed. “We didn’t load them!”
“They just went off, Chloe cried. “All of them. At once.”
My legs gave way and I slumped onto the couch &
“She fell..” Caleb whispered. “She screamed. Then she disappeared.”
Grandfather shook with anger. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“We were scared,” they cried together.
Grandfather turned to me. “Call the guards. Search the base of that cliff. Now!”
I fumbled for my phone and called. “Search the cliffs. Every inch. Find her. Dead or alive–just find her”
Then Grandfather suddenly staggered.
“Grandpa?” I rushed to him.
He clutched his chest and dropped to the floor!
“GRANDPA” I yelled.
C
12:44 PM
