The Phone Call

The drive home was silent.

Dad gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles had turned white. The radio was off, and the only sound was the rain tapping against the windshield.

I looked out the window, waiting for him to say something.

Anything.

He didn't.

"Dad?"

He didn't take his eyes off the road.

"Hm?"

"What happened at school?"

"What do you mean?"

"The man."

His jaw tightened.

"I don't know who he was."

"But he knew my name."

"He had the wrong person."

I frowned.

"Then why did you look so scared?"

He finally glanced at me.

"I wasn't."

He lied.

I knew he did.

When we pulled into the driveway, Mom was already standing on the porch.

The second she saw us, relief washed over her face.

She hurried over before I'd even stepped out of the car.

"Are you okay?" she asked, cupping my face in her hands.

"I'm fine..."

She hugged me tighter than usual.

Too tightly.

"Mom, I can't breathe."

She laughed nervously and let go.

"Sorry."

Dad grabbed his phone as soon as we walked inside.

"I need to take this."

He disappeared into his office, shutting the door behind him.

I exchanged a confused look with Mom.

"What's going on?"

She forced a smile.

"Nothing you need to worry about."

I wanted to believe her.

I really did.

After dinner, I headed upstairs to finish some homework.

I had barely opened my notebook when raised voices drifted down the hallway.

Dad's office.

The door wasn't completely closed.

"I told you she'd be safe!" Dad snapped.

A pause.

"No... I'm not handing her over."

My heart stopped.

Handing me over?

I stepped closer.

"You promised us more time," Mom whispered.

Another pause.

Then Dad spoke again, quieter this time.

"If they come... we'll protect her."

The floorboard beneath my foot creaked.

The voices stopped.

I quickly hurried back to my room before anyone opened the door.

My hands were shaking.

Who were they talking about?

And why did it sound like someone wanted me?

I locked my bedroom door.

For the first time in years.

As I pulled my curtains closed, something caught my eye.

Across the street...

A black SUV sat beneath a broken streetlamp.

Its headlights were off.

Its engine was running.

And someone inside was watching my house.

My phone buzzed.

Unknown Number.

They're running out of time.