Chapter 2 - The Wrong Rescue
The voice on the cracked phone spoke again, sharp and authoritative.
"Harper, do not listen to a word he just said."
"My name is Agent Cross, and I work for a private security firm trying to save those children."
I held the phone to my ear, clutching the newborn tighter against my soaking blue hoodie.
"He is dead," I whispered, panic rising in my throat.
"I have a black SUV exactly three blocks away from your location," Agent Cross stated.
"Stay right there, and we will take you and the babies somewhere warm and safe."
I wanted to believe her more than anything in the world.
My torn sneakers were soaked, and the babies were freezing in the brutal Chicago storm.
I knelt down and carefully scooped up the second screaming infant from Ethan's lifeless arm.
As I did, I noticed a silver chain tucked beneath Ethan's blood-soaked collar.
There was a heavy, metallic key attached to the end of it.
Without knowing why, I snapped the chain and shoved the key deep into my jeans pocket.
A pair of bright headlights suddenly swept across the brick wall of the alley.
A massive black SUV screeched to a halt right in front of the loading dock.
The doors opened, and three men stepped out into the pouring rain.
They were wearing expensive tactical gear, and they were all holding suppressed weapons.
"Harper, step toward the vehicle," Agent Cross commanded through the phone speaker.
I took one step forward, relieved that the nightmare was almost over.
Then the streetlamp illuminated the face of the man leading the strike team.
It was Mr. Davis, the kindly guidance counselor from my middle school.
He raised his gun and pointed it directly at my chest.
May you like
"Put the babies on the ground, Harper," my guidance counselor said with a cold, dead smile.
"And maybe I will let you live."
