Missing, parents unreachable.’ The shock of those words reverberated through us as we rushed out of the restaurant, abandoning our half-eaten anniversary dinner.

We had entrusted the care of our beloved children to my cousin, someone we considered family and thought we could rely on. The short-lived celebration turned into a frantic race against time as we sped back home, the news of our house surrounded by police playing on a loop in our minds.

Upon reaching our neighborhood, the sight that greeted us was nightmarish. Police cars lined the street, their flashing lights casting an eerie glow on the surroundings. Concerned neighbors gathered, whispering worriedly among themselves. Dread knotted our stomachs as we approached our home, fearing the worst.

The police explained the situation—a concerned neighbor had heard cries coming from our house and, unable to reach us, had called the authorities. The news reporter on the scene recounted the unfolding events, intensifying our anxiety with every passing second. The headline echoed in our minds: ‘Two children missing, parents unreachable.’

As we entered our home, the reality struck with a force that left us breathless. Our cousin, entrusted with the care of our children, was nowhere to be found. Panic surged as we frantically searched every room, hoping against hope to find our kids safe and sound. The once-familiar spaces of our home now seemed ominous, shrouded in uncertainty.