A missing child

“These penguins are amazing!” I gushed, thrilled to *marvel (watch in awe)* at the penguins inside the restaurant in Bird Paradise. So *mesmerised (absorbed)* by their movements that my family and I stared *intently at (focused on)* these magnificent creatures. Personally, I loved their *incredible (remarkable)* diving. I could watch them forever…

“Where is your sister?” my father asked me frantically. I spun my head around. Indeed, my mischievous sister was missing! Where had she gallivanted off to when we were watching penguins?
My father’s face instantly darkened, and a *dazed (shaken)* expression crossed his face. He normally appeared to be *as solid as a mountain (firm)*, but at this point in time, it seemed that panic had possessed his body. We were in hot soup. Our idyllic weekend had turned *complicated (complex)*.

There was no time to waste. Trying to suppress the *suffocating (stifling)* sense of fear, we searched high and low for her. We did not even pause to pack our belongings that were *strewn (scattered)* all over the dining table. Nope, she was not at the gift shop! Could she be at the virtual reality station?

We sprinted over, but she was not there either. Nope, she was not at the virtual reality station. Just as our hearts were to descend into full-throttle panic, I spotted her at the capsule machines. She was turning the dial, oblivious to the chaos she had created. She seemed at ease in her *makeshift (temporary)* resting spot.

My sister was with a kind-looking lady. “I thought it would be best if I get her to stay put and wait for her family to come,” the stylish lady explained. Thank goodness for Good Samaritans like her. My father expressed his profuse thanks to her. I was *gratified (thankful)* that she was safe and sound.