2. The Red Petals.

“Lisa where are you?" I asked switching the lights on.

"Lisa please come out, I don't have time for this." I said as I searched around.

She was not under her bed, not in the closet, neither was she in the bathroom and she wasn't under her reading table either.

I guess this is some type of punishment from her. I’m just going to have to play hide and seek.

************************************

It’s been over an hour.

One good hour of searching for Lisa.

This game of hers was no longer funny.

I have practically covered the entire house and she is nowhere to be found.

Where on earth could she be hiding?

"Lisa, you are right. I am self centered and really mean. I shouldn't have raised my voice at you and for that, I'm really sorry." I said calmly. Maybe if I played her game, she'll come out.

"I promise not to do that again. Never ever. Pinky sister promise." I said happily, I’m not sure what I was expecting when I said this, but I was greeted with silence.

Another ten minutes of searching and still nothing.

Can she just come out already?! This getting exhausting.

"Lisa can you please just come out so we can get your diary and I can go to bed?” I asked, irritation building up within me.

I was losing my patience, it was almost midnight and I really needed to sleep.

After waiting for a short while, I realized I had not checked one place.

“THE GARAGE!” I thought to myself.

She'll probably be there.

"Lisa, you can come out now. I'm sorry okay." 

Isn’t it comical being in a garage, searching for my eight years old sister when I ought to be asleep.

Actually it’s not.

"Lisa, I'll go pick up your diary and we can both get back into the house."

I said still on the look out for her.

She may want to pull another stunt.

"Okay then, since you don't want to come out, I'll just go pick up your diary and read it." I said in a singsong manner.

This should do the trick.

I waited for her to come out from her hiding place but still nothing.

"Fine! I'll do just that, get your diary and read it out loud for everyone to hear." I said stomping out of the garage angrily.

As soon as I got out, I saw a trail of red petals. 

Is someone helping us beautify the house?

When mum comes home and sees this, she'll definitely make a good joke out of it.

Something along the lines of a secret admirer. 

Weird, I know but that’s my mum for you.

The trail seemed to end right below the window of Lisa's room.

Weird...much

When I got to the end of the trail, all the oxygen in my lungs had been sucked out.

What I saw was weird and at that moment, I realized...that danger might be lurking around.

I picked up the letter at the end of the trail and my anxiety increased greatly. 

This was totally crazy. It was like a scene from one of those horror movies.

There were red drops on the letter and out of curiosity, I brought the letter closer to my nose but immediately regretted it.

The stench of blood was so strong. I could feel bile rising in my stomach.

This was totally disgusting.

How did blood get here?

I looked around just in case someone was stalking me.

This was indeed the weirdest thing ever.

"Lisa please come out, being outside now isn't safe." I said in fear.

She was my major concern at the moment. If anything happens to her, I’m going to be in some serious trouble.

I decided to check the content of the letter while waiting for Lisa to come out from her hiding place.

I froze in shock.

Time For Some Bloody Hide and Seek.

Isn't That Fun?

What does this letter mean?

This has to be a prank right? Lisa can not be missing.

"Lisa! Lisa come out now or I'm telling mum how you were a bad kid while she was away." I said worry building up with every passing second.

I needed this to be a joke, staying alone at home is creepy but if Lisa is really missing, then it just got creepier.

***************************************

It was almost 4 in the morning and I haven't slept.

I searched the entire house and compound for Lisa all in vain.

I eventually called the police but I am not sure their response made me feel relieved since they can't do anything until she has been missing for 24 hours. 

I got angry when they said so.

What if she is already dead by then? No...no I should not be thinking like this. 

I could not exactly blame the officers though, they are just following the right procedure.

I can only hope nothing happens to Lisa.

That was one problem, the other problem though is how on earth I’m going to explain the situation on ground to my parents.

I don't know how I'm going to start, but I have to figure it out before they return later today.

My mum is definitely going to freak out especially after she reads the letter. 

My parents are going to be so disappointed in me, they will probably think I'm irresponsible.

This whole thing is messed up.

Things couldn’t possibly get worse.

***************************************

‘Ding Dong’

‘Ding Dong’

‘Ding Dong’

The bell rang furiously.

“Ugh! Please not another police visit.” I muttered under my breath. 

"Just a second please." I said making my way to the door.

My day so far has been exhausting and I know it's going to be worse once my parents get back.

I ended up not going to school today, I've been having visits from police officers concerning Lisa's disappearance and the letter has been taken for forensics and also to test the blood on it.

I opened the door only to be met with the face of one of the last people I needed to see right now.