Chapter 5 - The Chase
Panic consumed me like a wild fire.
I backed up and kicked the metal door with all my strength.
The old hinges groaned, but the heavy lock held firm.
I grabbed a heavy metal wrench from the lighting technician's toolbox on the floor.
I smashed it against the door handle repeatedly until the cheap metal shattered completely.
I burst out of the booth and ran down the stairs like a madman.
The auditorium was completely empty.
The children's recital was already over.
I burst through the front doors of the community center and ran into the parking lot.
Meredith was standing alone by our SUV, casually scrolling through her phone.
"Where is Chloe?" I screamed, grabbing her forcefully by the shoulders.
Meredith looked at me with genuine confusion and fear.
"Harrison, you're hurting me!" she cried.
"Where is my daughter?!" I roared into her face.
"Richard took her for ice cream, just like he always does," Meredith explained frantically.
I let go of her and quickly pulled out my phone.
I pulled up the hidden GPS tracker I had secretly installed on Chloe's backpack months ago.
A flashing red dot appeared on the digital map.
Richard was not taking her to the ice cream shop on Main Street.
The dot was moving rapidly down Interstate 95, heading directly toward the state border.
I jumped into the driver's seat and started the roaring engine.
Meredith tried to open the passenger door, but I locked it instantly.
"You are a part of this, whatever this is," I told her through the glass.
I slammed on the gas pedal and sped out of the parking lot.
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I was entirely focused on the GPS tracker.
I didn't notice the black SUV pulling out of the alley to follow me.
