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Serena..."
"Serena," her father Blackwood's voice, was calm and urgent, outside the cabin door. He tapped his right hand, lightly on the polished wood. "Serena, Come on, dear. It's time. Everyone is waiting for you."
No response.
He tried again, a little hard this time; the sound echoed too loudly in the empty hallway. "Serena? Are you alright?
"It's Dad; please open the door."
Still Silent...
He gripped the doorknob tighter to unlock it, but it remained locked, and panic clawed at his throat. He glanced around the silent hallway. Where had she gone? Or did something happen inside? he doubted. He folded his sleeve edge and pulled out his phone from his lower pants. He searched for Damien's number.
He hesitated to make a call, then finally pressed the call button, holding the phone to his ear, the dial ring cut through the air, his eyes were restless constantly scanning the surroundings, frown lines etched around his eyes. "Son," he said, his voice crackling with static. "Serena's room door is locked, and she's not answering."
Damien (Black Wood's son) pressed a hand tighter against his ear. "Dad... Dad... I couldn't hear you!" The sound of waves was sustained, Static snapped in his earpiece, a harsh sound against his eardrum.
Blackwood paced in front of the door; his eyes remained on the signal bar on his phone "Son, Is that I am audible? Can you hear me now?"
"Dad..." Damien snapped, cutting off the call. "Shit, signal dead." He raced towards the entrance of the deck.
Emiko watched her husband, his back to her, as he spoke intently into his phone. Who was he talking to? Why did he seem tensed? she wondered, she quietly followed him.
It was already getting late; they were supposed to be at the altar, Damien raced as his shoes clicked loudly on the wooden stairs. He checked each hallway before moving to the next level.
"Honey, wait...." her voice called out from upstairs, facing down Damien "What's wrong? You seem tense. Where are you going?"
Damien paused, one foot on the bottom step looking back at her.
Emiko hair bouncing, flew down the remaining stairs and into his arms.
"It's Dad," he said, his voice unclear. "The signal's awful on top of the deck while talking to him. Dad went to get Serena for the wedding, but they're still not back."
Emiko nodded, then glanced at him, "I hope everything is okay" she said, and they walked together down the steps.
Damien's footsteps echoed on the fifth floor, he approached his father, who stood like a statue outside the cabin door, still checking his phone.
"Dad, what's wrong? Why are you outside, where is Serena?" he asked, his voice strained.
Blackwood turned; his face was covered with worry. "Serena's not answering. She won't open the door."
"Have you tried calling her phone, Dad?"
"I did," Blackwood replied, his voice worried. "It's ringing inside, but she's not answering."
"Okay Dad, I check once again."
Damien knocked sharply on the door; the sound echoed in the hallway. "Serena? It's Damien. Open the door!" He pounded on the door, his anxiety rising.
Still no response.
Emiko's fingers flew to her lips, her eyes widening with sudden fear. "Dami.... What if she's collapsed inside?"
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