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David. “Are you all right?”
    â€œSomeone tried the door. I hid in the closet until they went away.” The young boy eagerly took a bite out of the bun. “
Danke
.”
    Amanda handed David her napkin. “Here are some cookies too. We’re going on top to watch the scenery with our parents. See you soon.”
    The rain clouds had cleared and the sun shone on the bright green countryside. Amanda kept busy taking pictures of castles and quaint farmhouses as the boat cruised down the mighty Danube.
    She turned to Leah. “This is incredible, isn’t it?”
    â€œSort of. I’m a bit bored, though. Wish I had my mobile.” Leah’s face lit up. “I have an idea.” She ran over to her parents.
    â€œDad, can I borrow your mobile so I can take pictures of these rad castles and stuff.”
    Mr. Anderson looked surprised but pulled out his cell phone. “Sure, luv. Pleased to see you areenjoying the scenery.”
    Leah took pictures from the other side of the boat. When she thought no one was looking, she sent a couple of text messages.
    â€œAre you sending messages to your boyfriend?”
    Startled, Leah jumped back and almost dropped the phone. “I didn’t see you there, Klaus.”
    He stepped closer. “I was wondering, who is your little girlfriend I saw you with earlier? I had not seen her on this boat before.”
    â€œUm, I err, don’t know.” Leah glanced around. “Just someone else on the cruise, I guess.”
    â€œLeah, there you are. I’ve been looking for you. We’re stopping at a small place called Aschach to pick up some people who went to Salzburg earlier. Do you want to get off and look around?” Amanda smiled politely at Klaus. “Hello, Mr. Schmidt.”
    â€œYes!” said Leah, eager to escape Klaus and his questions.
    The girls enjoyed an easy walk along the water-front, taking in the charming village of Aschach. Amanda snapped pictures of the colourful homes that looked like gingerbread houses. In the middle of the houses stood a tall and narrow blue church, with a white cross on top of the steel-grey onion dome. The lush countryside provided a perfect background. Amanda, pleased with her collectionof pictures to show her class at home, took a picture of Leah by the church.
    Once back on the boat, the girls discovered David was not in their room. They looked in the closet, under the bed and in the bathtub. But he was gone, along with Amanda’s purple raincoat.

11
    A puzzled Amanda stood in the middle of the room. “Where could he have gone?”
    â€œIt is strange that he would leave the room when he seemed so frightened,” said Leah.
    â€œWe need to check around the boat. He has to be on it somewhere!” Amanda headed for the door.
    â€œIf you don’t mind, I’d like to stay and have a lie-down. I’m dead tired.” Leah yawned and turned toward the bed. “I don’t think we should get involved anyway. We don’t know what we’re dealing with.”
    â€œOh, all right. I’ll have a quick look around and come back to get you for dinner.” Amanda was annoyed at her friend, she could have been more concerned about the poor boy. Amanda walked down the corridors and peered into open doors. She checked the dining room and the lounge. She went downstairs to the instrument storage room, but David wasn’t there either. Deep in thought, she walked past the First Aid station and ran right into Tabeeb.
    â€œHello there,” he said, almost laughing. “Are youlooking for something?”
    â€œSo sorry. I’m actually looking for the young girl we brought to see you earlier. Have you seen her?”
    â€œYes. As a matter of fact, I saw her leave the boat while we were docked in Aschach.”
    â€œReally?” Amanda knit her brow. “Was she alone?”
    â€œNo, I think she was with her parents. I wanted to ask her about her