My book. ¨What Comes Next?¨ Final chapters

"11. Mommy not coming home?"

Scarlet's eyes fluttered open, her head pounding with a dull ache. As she blinked away the haze, the cold realization of her surroundings seeped in. Confusion turned to panic as the memory of the old lady flooded back. She should have been home by now, comforting Vincent. Fear clutched at her heart, tearing at her like a vengeful beast. She reached for her phone, trembling fingers fumbling to dial her son's number. But as the line remained silent, a haunting question loomed: was she never coming home to her precious boy again?

12.The Funeral

The somber chapel was filled with mournful whispers and heavy hearts. Scarlet's lifeless body lay peacefully in the open casket, surrounded by wilted flowers. Vincent clutched his grandmother's hand, tears streaming down his young face. Officer Stamen stood at the back, his eyes filled with guilt and regret. As the priest began the eulogy, memories of Scarlet's warmth and laughter flooded the minds of those present, a painful reminder of what had been taken away. The room resonated with grief, the weight of the unfulfilled promises hanging in the air.

13. Goodbye m-mom

Scarlet woke up to the familiar coldness of the basement floor. Her eyes scanned the dimly lit room, searching for a glimmer of hope. But this time, there was something different—something more final. The old lady had taken away her tools and boards, leaving only the haunting reminder of what awaited them.Vincent, clutching onto Scarlet's trembling hand, gazed up at her with innocent eyes. "Mommy, when are we going home?"Her heart ached as she gazed into her son's trusting face, realizing the brutal truth. "Baby, we won't be going home," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.As the days passed, Scarlet watched in agony as her fellow captives succumbed to the relentless torment. The old woman showed no mercy, her sadistic pleasure palpable.Scarlet knew her time was limited, that her fate would soon be sealed. But in the depths of despair, a flicker of determination ignited within her. She had to find a way to protect Vincent, to ensure he would be spared from this unimaginable horror.In the midst of her torment, Scarlett gained an unexpected ally, Officer Stamen. He had been tirelessly searching for the missing women, desperately following any lead to bring them home. His unwavering dedication gave her a sliver of hope, a glimmer of light in the darkness.But as the days turned into weeks, Scarlet felt her strength wane. The pain, the suffering, and the constant fear weighed heavily on her battered soul. The thought of leaving Vincent behind, alone and vulnerable, shattered her heart into a million pieces.As Scarlett kissed Vincent's tear-streaked cheek one last time, she whispered, "Goodbye, my sweet angel. Remember, always be strong, even when the world seems to conspire against you."She watched as her son was led away, his tiny hand disappearing into the darkness. At that moment, Scarlet knew she had sacrificed everything for the sake of her child. She had fought until the very end, knowing that her love would forever protect him, even in the face of unspeakable evil.With heavy steps and a broken spirit, Scarlet built her own coffin—the final testament to her unbearable suffering. As the nails punctured the silence, she filled her mind with memories of a life stolen too soon. And in her last breath, she whispered a silent prayer, hoping that one day, justice would prevail, and Vincent would find his way back to the light.