AN ENEMY IN THE DARK

The dining room was glowing with the soft light from the chandelier, casting a warm hue over the beautifully designed dining table where the family of three sat for dinner. The aroma of roasted chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables filled the air, yet little Ami barely touched her plate. She sat with her arms folded across her chest, her lips were pouted in a sulky expression, and her usual cheerfulness was absent.

Rory exchanged a glance with Victor, concerns knitting her brows. "Ami, sweetheart, what’s wrong? You barely touched your food. Don’t you like it?"

Ami huffed, pushing the food around her plate with her fork. "It’s not that, Mommy… I just—" She sighed dramatically and looked up, her big, brown, adorable eyes glistening with disappointment. "I miss Switzerland."

Victor placed his fork down and leaned forward. "You do? What do you miss the most, my love?"

"Everything!" Ami blurted out, throwing her arms up. "The mountains, the snow, the fun places we used to go to. We used to have so much fun together! But ever since we came to London, you and Mommy have always been busy. You don’t have time for me anymore." Her voice wavered, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Rory felt a sharp pang of guilt twist in her chest. Victor exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples. They had both been so consumed with the chaos surrounding them that they hadn’t realized how much Ami had been affected.

Rory reached for her daughter’s small hands, squeezing them gently. "Oh, baby, I’m so sorry, we never meant to make you feel that way. You’re the most important person in the world to us."

"That’s right, princess," Victor added. "And you know what? We’re going to fix this right now. Tomorrow, we’re spending the whole day together. Just the three of us. No work, no phones—just fun."

Ami’s face lit up, her eyes widened with excitement. "Really? You promise?"

"We promise," Rory said, kissing her forehead.

"Where are we going? Can we go somewhere exciting? Maybe an amusement park?" Ami asked, bouncing in her seat now.

Victor chuckled. "An amusement park it is! We’ll do whatever you want."

Ami squealed in delight, finally picking up her fork and eating her food with enthusiasm. The guilt still lingered in Rory’s heart, but at least now, she could make it right.

The next morning, the family of three got ready and drove out to have fun as they had promised, soon, they arrived at one of London’s grandest amusement parks. The grounds were designed with colour, with rollercoasters and other rides that looked like a ton of fun. The air was filled with the sound of people laughing and having a great time. It was infectious, you couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement. Children ran past them holding cotton candy, the scent of popcorn and fried treats wafting through the crisp morning breeze.

Ami wore a bright yellow sundress with tiny daisies embroidered along the hem, and her curly hair was styled into two playful pigtails. She held both her parents’ hands, skipping excitedly as she took in the sights. Rory, dressed in a simple yet elegant white jumpsuit, had let her hair fall in soft waves over her shoulders, while Victor, ever the dashing man, wore a navy blue polo shirt with black jeans, looking effortlessly stylish.

"Mommy, Daddy, look at that one!" Ami pointed at a massive carousel, its golden horses were shining under the sun. "Can we ride it first? Please?"

Victor chuckled. "Of course, princess. Let’s go!"

They got on the carousel, and Ami chose a white horse with a golden mane. As the ride began to spin, she giggled, her hands gripping the golden pole as she moved up and down with the horse. Rory watched her daughter’s joy, feeling the warmth spread through her chest.

Next, they played games, throwing rings, knocking down bottles, and even trying their luck at the claw machine. Victor, determined to win a giant pink teddy bear for Ami, spent a good fifteen minutes tossing basketballs until he finally scored. Ami shrieked in delight, hugging the bear tightly.

"Daddy, you’re the best!" she beamed.

Victor smirked. "Told you I had skills."

"Mommy, you should try too!" Ami encouraged, dragging Rory toward a face-painting station.

Rory laughed. "Face painting? Ami, sweetheart, I don’t think—"

"Please! Just a little butterfly on your cheek?" Ami gave her the best puppy-dog eyes.

Rory sighed, defeated. "Alright, fine. Just a small one."

Ami clapped her hands excitedly as the artist painted a delicate pink butterfly on Rory’s cheek.

Everything was perfect, or at least, it should have been. But as Rory sat there, a chill ran down her spine. She felt eyes on her. A gnawing sense of unease crept up her arms, she felt like someone was watching them.

She turned her head slightly, scanning the crowd, at first, there was nothing suspicious, just kids playing around with their parents. But as she looked farther into a bit of the distance, she saw a black car, parked just beyond the amusement park gates. It was sleek, dark, and eerily familiar. Her stomach clenched.

No. It couldn’t be. But the feeling of dread whispered otherwise.

She had seen that car before outside their home, the night they arrived in London. She had the feeling then that someone was watching them. And now it was here again; they had been followed; what could they want?

Was it Jason? Or was this something worse? Another enemy lurking in the dark?

Rory leaned into Victor, her voice was low and urgent. "We need to leave now."

Victor’s face immediately hardened. "What is it?"

She subtly nodded toward the car. "I saw it before outside the house. Someone is watching us."

Victor followed her gaze, his jaw tightening. "Alright then, let’s go."

"But Daddy, we haven’t gone on the Ferris wheel yet!" Ami whined, clutching her teddy bear.

Victor crouched, stroking Ami’s cheek gently. "I know, my love. But we have a special surprise waiting at home. Even better than the Ferris wheel."

Ami pouted but eventually nodded. "Okay... but it better be really good."

Victor scooped her up as Rory held onto his arm, and together, they swiftly exited the park.

As they reached the car and drove off, Rory couldn’t help but glance back at the black car. It didn’t move, but she knew whoever was inside wasn’t done watching them.

And that terrified her more than anything else.