Chapter 48. Zaya and Zion Are Missing

“They are supposed to be back by now. It's getting late.” I checked the slim gold wristwatch adorning my left wrist, a birthday gift from uncle Pete last year. It was past six. They had been gone for five hours. Uncle Pete and I had been discussing various matters ever since, and I had only just noticed the time.

“It's six eighteen.” Uncle Pete had also checked the time on his phone. “The ice cream parlor is just a five-minute drive from here. With a cab, I'd probably make it seven minutes.”

“Do you have her private cellphone number?” I asked him, not wanting to worry. Zaya could be a handful sometimes and might have insisted on staying back to have more ice cream fun.

“I think I do.” He was already going through his phone. “I've got it.”

He dialed the number, but it went straight to voicemail. A frown appeared on his forehead. I squashed the worry that was