The Missing Friend

Luca kicked at the feathers scattered across the theater steps. Pink ones, blue ones, some as long as his arm. They covered everything like someone had shaken out a giant pillow.

"Mariza should be here by now," he said to himself, checking the sun's position.

The big wooden doors of the theater stood open. He called her name, but only his echo answered back from the empty seats inside. Strange. She was never late for anything.

A shiver ran down his spine as he noticed something else. Footprints in the dirt led away from the theater toward the harbor. But these weren't Mariza's small shoes. These were heavy boots, much bigger than any child would wear.

Luca's heart started beating faster. The footprints looked fresh, and there were drag marks beside them in the dust. Someone had been here recently, and they hadn't been alone.

He touched the scar over his eye, a nervous habit when he felt worried. Something was definitely wrong.

The Harbor's Edge

Luca followed the boot prints down the cobblestone street. His heart hammered as the trail led straight to the harbor where fishing boats bobbed in the murky water.

Near the docks, he spotted a small woman with short gray hair bent over a wooden crate. Her apron was stained dark red, and sharp knives gleamed from her belt. She was sorting through what looked like fish parts, but these pieces were much larger than any fish Luca had ever seen.

"Excuse me," Luca called out, trying to keep his voice steady. "Have you seen a girl with brown braids? About my age?"

The woman looked up with cold blue eyes. "Natasha's the name. And yes, I've seen your little friend." She smiled, showing yellowed teeth. "She's safe... for now."

Luca's stomach dropped. "Where is she?"

Natasha pointed toward a weathered boat at the end of the pier. "Curious children make excellent bait for the creatures I hunt. Sea monsters are drawn to fresh young voices calling for help."

Luca's hands trembled, but he stepped closer. "Let her go."

"Oh, I don't think so, boy. You'll make fine bait too."