Chapter 3 - The Broken Sanctuary
I threw my car into gear and sped out of the parking garage.
My mind raced to process the sheer audacity of my own flesh and blood.
They had abandoned my son to make me look negligent.
Now they were breaking into my apartment to plant or steal evidence.
I called the police department and reported an active break-in at my address.
Then I called Guest Relations back and begged them to lock their doors.
"Do not let anyone take Elliot," I pleaded.
"Only release him to me, accompanied by law enforcement if necessary."
The kind woman on the phone promised he was safe behind a reinforced door.
I focused all my attention on reaching my apartment first.
I pulled up to my building and saw the front door of my unit hanging open.
Wood splinters littered the hallway carpet.
I stepped inside slowly, holding my heavy metal flashlight like a weapon.
The apartment had been entirely ransacked.
Drawers were pulled out and emptied onto the floor.
Elliot's medical records and my financial documents were completely gone.
They were looking for anything they could twist in a courtroom.
I heard a floorboard creak in the kitchen.
I held my breath and crept around the corner.
My father, Ray, was standing near the sink with a wicked smile on his face.
"You always were too trusting, Sarah," he sneered.
He held up a small, clear plastic bag filled with white powder.
"This is going to look terrible when child services finds it in your pantry."
My own father was framing me for illegal drug possession.
Before I could scream, the sound of police sirens echoed loudly from the street below.
Ray's smile vanished instantly.
He ran toward the back window, but a heavy fist started pounding on the front door.
"Police, open up!" a voice boomed.
May you like
Ray grabbed my arm violently and whispered his dark threat.
"If you tell them I did this, you will never see Elliot again."
